Nikka Days (2019)
Launched in late 2019 for the European market, Nikka Days seems to be an actual Japanese whisky and not one of those imposters comprised of whisky imported from elsewhere in the world.
It’s a blend of grain whisky (Miyagikyo) and lightly peated malt whisky (Yoichi). Available for around 40 euro, which given the current prices for Japanese whisky nowadays is pretty much the equivalent of giving it away. Of course, that doesn’t mean we’ve got a winner here.
Nikka Days (40%, OB, 2019)
Nose: Extremely light with lots of vanilla, toffee and cereals, as well as mush bananas. Just a tinge of (and I mean a tinge) of smoke in the background.
Taste: Pleasantly surprised by the viscosity, especially at this low strength. Some mild smoke again but mainly middle-of-the-road flavours like vanilla and barley. Maybe some toasted oak as well.
Finish: Soft spices. Strong coffee. Short.
Score: 73
Inoffensive and boring, but drinkable. That’s probably the best I can do. There’s undoubtedly better stuff out there at this price point. It works well in a highball cocktail though!
Photo: The Whisky Exchange
Thijs is a spirits writer and accredited liquorist from The Netherlands. He runs the blog Words of Whisky and contributes to a number of Dutch and international publications.
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