The Nikka 12 Years Old

TASTING NOTE

Appearance : burnished gold with orange tinges.

Nose : refined, smooth. The initial nose has plenty of character with a perfect balance of fruit, malted barley, beeswax, and spices (cinnamon, nutmeg). It then gently develops into fruity and herbaceous tones (moss, lichen) – proof of its great maturity. It lingers with notes of citrus fruit (lemon, orange).

Palate : lively and yet serene. Dark chocolate forms the backbone, giving the whisky a remarkable voluptuous, mouth-watering bitterness. Malted barley takes root in freshly turned soil, while abundant fresh fruit (apple, Mirabelle plums, greengage plums, pear) evokes abundant harvests. Once aerated, it becomes honeyed and floral (lilac, lily of the valley).

Overall : long, mellow. Initially, coconut milk and a handful of red fruit (strawberry, raspberry) cover the palate. The finish has a lovely fresh feeling that is accentuated by fruit cordials (pineapple, clementine). The retro-olfaction is characterised by notes of tobacco and liquorice. You can then contemplate the empty glass while breathing in its bouquet of mixed flowers.