2021 Christmas Shopping Lists, the Japanese Whiskies: Nikka Whisky From The Barrel

No list of Japanese liquor would be complete without Nikka WFTB, even if Nikka has reclassified it as “World Whisky” in accordance with the new Japanese trade guidelines adopted in April 2021. Due to Nikka WFTB containing Ben Nevis Single Malt in the blend, this whisky no longer counts as Japanese capital-W Whisky, but it still might be the best whisky Japan puts together. It’s hands-down the best blended whisky I’ve ever had, regardless of national origin. So, if you can overlook the fact Nikka threw in some high grade single malt from Ben Nevis as a nod to their founder Masataka Taketsuru beginning his career in Scotland, you get to enjoy a mind blowing whisky. It should also be said that the majority of this recipe comes from Nikka’s Yoichi and Miyagikyo distilleries, so it’s not like you’re getting a repackaged scotch masquerading as something it’s not.

Let’s also pause for a moment to just applaud Nikka for 1) the transparency in labeling their products, and 2) not messing with perfection and continuing to produce maybe the world’s best blended whisky unchanged from its original form, regardless of legal designation.

Nikka WFTB is in some ways the perfect gift bottle, in that it has something for everyone. It’s smoky, but not overly peaty. It’s sweet but dense. It’s deceptively crushable despite a 102.8 bottling proof, but its finish lasts for eons. It’s just perfectly calibrated to give any serious whisky fan notes they love, while also marrying them to contrasting flavors and letting your tastebuds explore those intersections. It is somehow infinitely approachable and labyrinthine in complexity. The palate is a symphony calling on sections of fresh berries, sweet cream, oak, vanilla, and smoke in a pacific unison. It’s like eating a berry custard or tart next to a fireplace.

The SRP of approximately $70 American greenbacks gets you a guaranteed home run of a gift bottle, especially if you’re gifting it to you. But this a Led Zeppelin deep cut bottle — if you gift this to a whisky fan, they’re gonna know you spent some time picking this one…and that you know your hooch.

Image courtesy of Jon who also writes on Low Class & High Proof.

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