Nikka Yoichi 10 Year Old

Yochi produce what they consider to be a masculine whisky. The use of coal fired stills gives this whisky a more robust and confronting single malt then the sweeter more floral stuff i tended to expect from Japan. Good stuff

• Nose: not what I expected from Japan. This is almost confronting, salt and peat arrive first (not unlike Talisker but sweeter), notes of eucalyptus, mint and maybe Cointreau? Tobacco again along with cloves and ginger. With water some fig and liquorice comes out.

• Pallet: silky smooth feel gives way to spicy arrival, pepper and coriander (among other herbs) with cloves and some wood flavours. With water bit more of everything.

• Finish: dry, spicy and sea breeze, definitely a Sprinkbank like finish. With water intensely salty now water has been added.

Again, not what i expected from Japan. Its definitely not a whisky you want to take lightly. More like one you would pour 2 measures of and spend a good hour on. This is purely subjective, i enjoyed the malt but somehow i found it difficult to get my head around.

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