Nikka Yoichi 12 Year Old

Nikka picked up quite some important prizes at several competition in the last decennium. The 10 Year Old was named ‘Best of the Best’ in 2001 and the 15 Year Old got a gold medal at the 2010 International Spirits Challenge. Reason enough to try another one. I tasted this Yoichi 12 Year Old H2H to the 10 Year Old.

Just like its younger brother, this one has a very soft nose. But it is a lot fruitier. I am reminded of dried apricots, a slice of pineapple and melon. Some orange zest, too. Pinch of cloves. Cashewnuts and almonds. Leave it for a while longer and you will even get slightly burnt caramel.

It is very creamy and mouthcoating and more powerful than the 10 Year Old. Fruity, surely, but almost no smoke here. It develops beautifully in the glass and upon second sip it gets fairly sweet with a bit of earth and leather. Nicely spiced with cloves and ginger.

The finish, which is very long, remains bittersweet.

Just like the 10 Year Old, this one too is very drinkable. It is about 20 EUR more expensive, but worth it in my opinion.

Find where to buy Nikka Yoichi whisky