Yoichi, Sherry & Sweet, 55% abv.

I haven't been to the distillery, or any Nikka distilleries for that matter, but I heard these were only sold at Nikka distilleries for ¥3,300 around 2015, which could have changed by now. Secondary seems to have it going a bit above $200. It's a set of three bottlings showcasing different components Yoichi uses. These include, "Woody & Vanillic" and "Peaty & Salty". There are also 12 year old versions of this product as single casks and smaller bottles, but due to the boom in old-guard Japanese whiskies, the product series, as well as new renditions, have been released as NAS. Had this in 2020.

 

Nose: initially macerated cherries, some maraschino cherries, legumes, then it becomes more wine or sherry-like mixed with wet wood, cough syrup, mandarins, light peat in there as well, like a smokey clay, some ash, can't say it's very peaty, but those peaty smoke elements are here, but upon closer sniffs... some citric acid?, leftover meats used in a soup?, microwaved leftover roasted pork, a little weird to be honest.

Palate: medium body, initial palate is a little sharp, light red fruit juice, hints of limes, mid palate has more red fruit juice, warm cherries, hints of sour raspberries, strawberry jam, sweet prunes, a little spicey, starts off medium but seems to be full bodied on subsequent sips, back palate allows the peaty aspects to come out, fruit roll up too, a little bitter as well, hints of wet old steamed lotus leaves,... over-sherried? Never would have thought.

Finish: short to medium, warmed red apple skin, roast beef, some burnt bitter wood, the more metallic aspects of peat.

A typical entry level peated sherry in my humble opinion. The sweet red juice flavors were nicely defined, had some range, and the peat was a little weird, delegated to a third wheel role. Not sure how I feel about this pour, so I'll be conservative.

Image courtesy of Eric Yee.

Eric Yee

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