Review by: Raygun

The first distillery established by Masataka Taketsuru in 1934 after returning from Scotland. Looking for a similar climate to Scotland, he settled on the Yoichi district of Hokkaido. Yoichi primarily uses peated malt, and utilizes direct-fired stills. A lot goes into Nikka blends, but some is sold as a single malt. This NAS expression has mostly replaced anything age-stated, though the 10 is being brought back. Reviewed from an official mini. Rested for 15 minutes.

---

Distillery: Yoichi 

Bottler: Nikka 

Region/style: Japanese single malt whisky 

ABV: 45%

Age: NAS  

Cask type: Unspecified

Color: 1.2 chestnut. Likely colored and chill-filtered.

---

Nose: I wouldn’t call it strongly peated, but richer and deeper than Miyagikyo. Apples, plums, caramel, pine, and hints of mint chocolate. The peat comes across as a distant fire. Chocolate intensifies with time.           

Palate: This is very nice. Significantly richer than Miyagikyo. Seems to have substantial sherry influence with plums, raisins, and chocolate. Also caramel, brioche, and vanilla cream. A noticeable coastal and briny element. Mildly smoky. I’m not sure how much heavily peated versus unpeated whisky is in here, but tastes about Benromach level to me.  

Finish: Fairly coastal, with more herbal tones of pine and mint. Maybe some thyme as well. Raisins, prunes, and chocolate. There’s the vanilla cream of the palate. Yet not very sweet, with a nice balance of tartness. Free of obvious youthful notes, too. In fact, it’s very well composed. Good length, too.    

---

Conclusion: I haven’t been impressed with the Suntory and Nikka NAS products I’ve tried, until now. This is actually quite good. More depth than the Miyagikyo, possibly an effect of direct firing, and thankfully free of obvious young notes. The value proposition isn’t there still, but it is a nice whisky. I’d love to try some of the age-stated stuff. I’ve heard Nikka is reintroducing the 10-year version, but I’ve yet to see it and I can’t imagine the price will be friendly.

Score: 80

---

Scoring Legend:

• 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable whisky.
• 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category. (Kavalan Solist Manzanilla)
• 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram. (Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique)
• 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff. (Green Spot Chateau Leoville Barton)
• 75-79: Decent whisky worth tasting. (Amrut Peated CS)
• 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better. (Taketsuru Pure Malt)
• 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink. (Hakushu Distiller’s Reserve)
• 50-59: Save it for mixing. (Bushmills 10 Malt)
• 0-49: Blech.