It's officially been a decade since Nikka first sounded the alarm that it had begun to seriously deplete its aged stocks of whiskies - in 2015, cutting numerous age statement expressions for both the signature Yoichi and Miyagikyo whiskies, and then even in 2020, the discontinuations continued on to the blended Taketsuru lineup.

This obviously caused a huge uproar as of course Nikka's whiskies are a huge favourite, not only domestically in Japan, but really worldwide - with whisky ageing being something that can't be sped up nor acquired, it really was down to a matter of time where we all (perhaps most painfully for Nikka) simply had to wait for the whiskies to get there. Whilst many speculated when that long wait would end - seems painfully obvious, but it's worth meditating on the fact that a 10 year old whisky is indeed a full decade of waiting - Nikka had shone some light at the end of the tunnel with the re-release of the Yoichi 10 Year Old in 2022 (its compatriot, the Miyagikyo 10 Year Old for some reason was showcased on-trade but never made it to public release). When I had heard about the release, I immediately made my way down to the bar to try it (back then, it wasn't even for sale yet!) and I loved it! It felt like a stark reminder that good things, be they whisky or otherwise, take time and can't be hurried. 

The re-release of the Yoichi 10 Year Old. 

| Read: [Review] Yoichi 10 Year Old, 2022 (Re-Release), 45% ABV

And so the stables of Nikka have been rather lean on the aged whisky front (even as they celebrated their 90th anniversary) - the result of a complete 180 degree shift within just over a decade, from little interest in Japanese whiskies (even domestically) to the world paying any price hand over fist buying out all stock in a matter of seconds - whilst Japan became a hotbed for an exciting new generation of craft whisky distillers who've now gotten their first whiskies, for some even numerous releases by now, on the market, cultivating some serious cult followings. After all, if the demand is for Japanese whiskies as a category, then if one spring shuts and a bunch more (and to their credit, really high quality) open up, that is where people will go.

And so ten years on from when the first Nikka discontinuations started, it might seem like just enough time for that shortage to now be resolved, yet nothing's been teased from Nikka's end, and so the wait continues. There's a natural tendency for us fans to nevertheless pile on expectations for each passing year that Nikka's been quiet - almost as if to expect spectacular fireworks captured in the form of the most mind-bending bottle that could possibly exist. Every year, we almost hype up more and more what we expect should come after all this time. "Surely they've gotta have something massive in the works, right? Why else would they wait so long?" Who knows, perhaps this will be the year, or maybe good whisky just needs time and no one's yet mastered the art of speeding the clock up (or slowing it down).

The Yoichi distillery.

But, there is one little secret that I'd like to share - something that I assure you lives up to the if you know, you know mantra. Even as Nikka has never made a big show of it - there is in fact a way to continue to enjoy aged Nikka whiskies that are more recently bottled. That's the Nikka Single Cask expressions for both Yoichi and Miyagikyo. Unlike the incredibly pricey historic vintage focused Nikka single casks, these single casks are much more wallet-friendly, however they're also incredibly difficult to pick up a bottle of. Word has it that Nikka maintains an on-trade program with select bartenders who are encouraged to pick out a single cask from Nikka which is then bottled and to be enjoyed at the bar. I've wondered if this was a way to maintain a good relationship with the important on-trade distribution network that is the bars whilst Nikka continues to replenish its stock.

Regardless, I was very fortunate to get to try one such Nikka Single Cask Malt from Yoichi, a 10 year old, that was generously shared with me by a local indie bottler. This was distilled in 2009 and bottled in 2019, coming in at 59% ABV.

PS. Shoutout to L. for so generously sharing this!

Nikka Single Cask Malt Whisky, Yoichi 10 Years Old, 2009, Cask No. 411148, 59% ABV

Tasting Notes

Colour: Deep Honey

Aroma: Incredibly aromatic floral fruity scents of orange blossoms and banana blossoms, heaped on with a combo of honey and maltose candy. It's rich and vivid, and heady, with such depth and suppleness. It's further given this sense of antiqueness with this quality of old lacquered wooden furnishings and temple incense. It feels well-aged, almost candied and incredibly immersive.

Taste: Medium-bodied here, opening with a nice punchiness that gives it such a presence. Again it's superbly vibrant, bursting with oranges and lemons, melded into a candied and crystalline body of maltose candy. It has a lifted quality of bright candied tanghulu fruits (fruits coated in rock sugar), that comes through with such freshness! There's also this waxiness of beeswax that gives it almost a slight chewiness.

Finish: A long finish here, with more of that waxy and candied maltose, with here touches of savouriness. It gives off a deep warmth that works its way seamlessly into a nice and clean finish. It has this absolute precision and distinctiveness of candied maltose that persists on for so long.

My Thoughts

Absolutely stunning! This is bar none one of the best Nikka expressions I've had the pleasure of tasting - and sadly I have no clue if I'll ever come across it again. This was incredibly evocative and immersive, where on the nose it really gave off this sense of agedness and antiqueness, with that mustiness of lacquered wood, maltose candy, temple incense, and then garnished with some of those brighter fruity notes that made it feel so complete - yet it was really the depth that was so stunning.

This was all carried over to the palate where it had such a good striking presence with a nice oomph and punchiness, yet it kept itself distinct and precise, with all those candied fruits and that slight chewiness of beeswax. It was absolutely crystalline, candied fruits galore! 

It worked its way seamlessly into the finish - so long, still so distinct and precise, and giving off this deep warmth on an otherwise clean and firm, resolute finish, serving up more of that candied maltose and beeswax. 

Absolutely wow! 

And so whilst we eagerly await more from Nikka - hopefully soon, keep a look out at bars for the single casks which continue to make its way out the distillery quietly for those who know. Happy hunting!

Kanpai!

@111hotpot