The Nikka 12YO
Description
Region: Yoichi, Japan
Nose: Sleek and refined. A perfect balance of fruits, malted barley, beeswax and spices (cinnamon, nutmeg), the first nose is very full. The nose then evolves on softer fruit and herbal notes (moss, lichen), a sign of great maturity, and lingers on citrus aromas (orange, lemon).
Palate: Both lively and serene. Dark chocolate provides the backbone of mouth-watering bitterness. On one end, the malted barley extends to earthier notes, while on the other, fresh fruits (apple, prunes, mirabelle and greengage plums, pear) are reminiscent of a plentiful harvest. With air, honeyed and floral notes (lilac, lilly of the valley) make their appearance.
Finish: Long, suave. At first, coconut milk and red berries (strawberry, raspberry) stretch out across the palate. In the back of the mouth, candied fruit (pineapple, clementine) accentuate the pleasant freshness, while the retro-olfaction is marked by tobacco and liquorice notes. The empty glass offers a glimpse at a variety of flowers.