Nikka From The Barrel Japanese Whisky Review

Updated December 25, 2018

By Paer Johansson

Rating: A-

Nikka From The Barrel
(Credit: Richard Thomas)

From The Barrel is a Japanese blend of Miyagikyo and Yoichi single malts with grain whisky. The whisky is married after the blending in used barrels for a few months, in order to ensure the whisky is balanced and develops its full flavors.

It is bottled at a very decent 51.4% ABV and normally shipped in smaller, square 50 cl bottles.

The Whisky
The color of the liquid is light-yellow with a slight pink tinting. The coating of the glass yields long, sticky legs.

The nose is powerful with sweet toffee notes, orange aromas and a hint of spiciness. Vanilla is also there in the background awakening memories of caramel cakes and orange chocolate.

The strength of the whisky enhances flavors of toffee, sweet sultanas and an undertone of spiciness of cloves and black pepper. Although Nikka From The Barrel is not a very complex flavor profile, it is a bit difficult to discern specific flavors (like in many blends). Even so, the taste is sweet and pleasant.

A sweet, yummy finish lingers on the palette with cloves, licorice and saltiness. It stays for a very long time and beckons for another sip.

Addendum by Andrew Graham

Color: In the glass, Nikka From The Barrel has a maple syrup-like sheen with a slightly golden tint. Nothing out of the ordinary here.

Nose: But then, whoa. Right from the nose, it is clear that this whisky is something unique. There is a nose of spice, apple cider, and cooked mushrooms. Most noteworthy is a complex, umami-like funk that features heavily on the nose.

Flavor: The whisky delivers as flavor the spice and apple advertised on the nose. The grassy, earthy funk from the nose is largely gone, having done an exceptional job of engaging the palate right away with an unexpected but pleasant aroma that no other spirit I know of offers.

The whisky also has soft, delicate flavor notes of vanilla and violet. There is quite a lot going on, and it is all extraordinarily well-balanced. It is fair to say that this whisky is remarkably easy-drinking — or, said another way, is a bit lacking in assertiveness. No one flavor or quality dominates.

Finish: The flavors drift into an inviting, easy finish of toasted walnuts and saltwater. It’s as smooth of a ride as any whisky, blended or otherwise.

This is not a brave distiller’s attempt to create something new, and I don’t think it was meant to be. Instead, it is an extraordinarily skillful distiller’s expression of a modern, expertly calibrated blended whisky.

There is an artistic flair to Nikka From The Barrel. And its artistry is closer to the polished, intentionally inoffensive pieces kept in the MoMA than the postmodern works and street art that are rough around the edges but, perhaps, keep it a bit more real.

The Price
This is a brilliant example of Japanese craftsmanship without the now so common hefty price tag. For £39 in UK, this is brilliant value for money even considering the 50cl bottle. In US it has just arrived at the market in a 75cl bottle for $65.