Nikka Yoichi 20 Year Old

sample from a friend

Nose: Faint, not the most pungent here. All the same, there is beautiful integration. Pear, quiet apple and lemon, graphite. Oil (putty, I like this). Ginger. Stones and something almost coastal, but not fully. Sandalwood in the far rear, with just the slightest of spice and salt. (with water) Amps up the aromas. Moving here to caster sugar, sweet spice, soft and sweet wood. Candied walnuts and even a sweet smoke.

Palate: Yes, silky. The oak is so perfectly integrated. It shows up, and it's always in check and extremely balanced. Honey and honeyed. Graphite, light ash, and then some rancio. A little more sour fruit. (with water) A little more candied here as well, more rancio and walnuts, and delicious. Rather linear. Swims well, loses just a hair.

Finish: Some residual sweetness along with the graphite, lemon, and smoke - all subtle and dessert-like. This is really lovely and graceful, just a bit more subdued and linear than I'd have expected. Still, extremely well made, extremely enjoyable, and excellent.

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