Review #113 Nikka Days: Japanese

Score: 6.6 / 10

Distillery: Nikka Distillery

Type: Japanese Blended Whiskey

Nikka Days? You guys know I am a sucker for Nikka products, but this time I actually think I'm the sucker. So what's exactly is off here?????

First glance.... 40% alcohol, no age statement, the marketing and label look cheap. The plastic cap is very different from other Nikka expressions. Need I go on? No! You know I had to PO' it up though, because I have definitely been wrong in the past. I don't like to form biased opinions before trying the juice, but for me I'm just trying to explain how I see this bottle on a first impression basis.

Diving in a bit, this expression is a blend of Coffey Grain (not actual coffee flavor, so don't panic), Miyagikyo and Yoichi. Most of these reviews are on the website and have great scores. So... as I expected, this is low age and mass produced blend of those whiskeys. However still a treat to try as any whiskey is fun to dabble in. People are allowed to have different palates, but this did not mesh well with me.

Whiskey Review:

Nose: Cantaloupe, Honey dew and all the melons. A small amount of orange and citrus. Ethanol is present, but overall it's sort of watery.

Palate: Tons of honeydew melon. Ethanol and floral swirl around and intermingle, slight peat with subtle tobacco notes.

Finish: Very short and watery, mostly ethanol and floral notes persist. The finish is over before it starts and leaves a subtle lingering banana flavor.

Score: 6.6

Scale:

S+ Sensational - The Pinnacle (9.5+)

A - AXEceptional (astounding) (9-9.5)

B - bravo (step aBove average) (8-8.9)

C - competent (7-7.9)

D - disappointing (6-6.9)

F - flush it down the toilet (fail) (5.9 below)

Availability? Uncommon. I believe this is going to be a regular shelfer, but so far I have only really seen it in Texas. It's not hard to find there though and I think distribution will get this moving soon.