Taste Testing The All New Nikka Frontier Neat And Highball

Arguably one of the most exciting releases from the Japanese whisky scene as of late, the Nikka Frontier certainly nailed it with the retro design! It's Nikka's newest core expression and also the first in four years since the launch of the Nikka Session, with the Nikka Frontier coming on the back of Nikka's 90th anniversary, and thus pays tribute to the frontier spirit of its founder Masataka Taketsuru, who is of course often called the Father of Japanese Whisky.

Designed to be versatile in how its to be enjoyed, be it neat or in a highball, the Nikka Frontier is a World Blend (that is composed of also whiskies sourced from abroad of Japan) that nevertheless particularly features an over 51% malt component (and therefore a 49% or lower grain whisky component - here it's a coffey distilled grain whisky), which itself mainly comes from Nikka's Yoichi Distillery in Hokkaido, which is of course best known for its smoky flavour, along with a smaller bit of Miyagikyo and Ben Nevis. Nikka also makes a point to state that this expression is non-chill filtered in order to better retain its flavours. Its design of course sports that really stylish "N" (for Nikka) and also carries an embossed motif on the back of the bottle of a traditional Japanese shimenawa, which is a sacred rice straw wreath that is often placed at the entrance of Japanese shrines, paying homage to Taketsuru's family roots in Sake brewing.

It's altogether bold, memorable and well-branded, and so the big question now is of course how does it taste!

And so without further ado, let's get to it! We'll taste it both neat and then in a Highball. Let's go!

Whisky Review: Nikka Frontier, 48% ABV

Tasting Notes

Colour: Deep Gold

Aroma: Opens with a bounty of sweet banana, with then also that signature Yoichi banana bright fruitiness, and so comes through in the form of banana hard candy, banana ice cream and banana cream pies. It's underscored by a rich, malty depth of sweet Shokupan breads, butter cookies and honey on brioche, with also a delicate toastiness of creme brulee. Garnished with little bouquets of white and purple florals of lavender and honeysuckle. Deeper still, there's a base that comes through alittle more Sherried, of dried dark fruits, as well as leather and tobacco, with a slight brininess.

Taste: Medium-bodied with a malty richness and sweetness, of creme brulee, brown sugars and vanilla frosting. It's rounded and luscious with quite the cereal quality, of wheat flakes and granola, giving it also a rustic nuttiness. It's initially spicy and peppery but mellows out, outlined with torched orange peels, and tinted with light touches of fresh red apples, with also abit of candied pineapples and raisins.

Finish: It eases out gently, with persistent and long lasting spices of toasted nutmeg and cinnamon, with that nutty maltiness carrying through almost of wholemeal bread. Light wafts of smoke.

My Thoughts

It's simple and straightforward with really nice, clean flavours and for the sticker price, actually delivers rather well! The aromas were sweet, fruity and custardy, with a surprisingly good deal of layering, with the body on the palate richer and more distinct, with quite a liveliness and presence, and the finish persistent and long-lasting. The overt maltiness definitely shows, giving it this really buttery roundedness, with the flavours then simple yet pronounced and precise, and works out to great versatility. It strikes as being clearly designed for the Highball, and less so as a sipping whisky, and from that angle, comes through as a great cocktail component - it's not overbearing and yet brings all that richness, body and a distinctively more earthy quality, with power to boot!

Tasting it in Highball fashion, this came through malty and grainy, with more buttery biscuits and toasted nuts really jumping out on the palate, with a really enjoyable and almost luscious oiliness that's now unlocked. It also gets so much more perfumed, with again all of that beautiful toastiness now emerging in plumes! Definitely, definitely designed for the Highball, this is a solid catch!

Kanpai!

@111hotpot