I remember Nikka Whisky From The Barrel fondly from the earlier days of my whisky journey. The square bottle, aluminium screw cap and plain label were strangely mesmerizing. It is one of the first higher strength whiskies I’ve ever tried, and there was a strange sort of pride in truly being able to enjoy such a powerful spirit.
Having said that, it’s also been well over 15 years since I’ve last tasted Nikka From The Barrel. When stocking up on review samples lately, I couldn’t resist ordering one, if only for nostalgic reasons. It’s never a bad thing to revisit old favourites and seeing if they hold up under the scrutiny of more experience.
Back when I first drank Nikka Whisky From The Barrel, I wholeheartedly believed it to be Japanese whisky. I quickly learned that wasn’t the case, which was later confirmed definitively when the Standards for Labeling Japanese whisky came into effect. Nikka clearly states that its From The Barrel does not meet all the criteria for Japanese whisky.
Nevertheless, some large online retailers still advertise this as a blend of single malt and grain whisky from the Miyagikyo and Yoichi distilleries. That’s an oversight at the least, or quite simply misleading consumers at the worst.
Nikka Whisky From The Barrel is a blend of more than 100 different batches of malt and grain whiskies. That doesn’t just mean different distilleries, although presumably quite a few are involved (from all around the world). It could also refer to different vintages and different cask types.
Nikka Whisky From The Barrel (51.4% OB, 2024)
Nose: Opening up on a hint of nail polish, but also sandalwood and slivers of Maraschino cherries. Maybe a whisper of limestone, then followed by notes of filter coffee and new oak furniture. Just a whiff of tablet as well.
Taste: Almost an oily mouthfeel. The coffee notes make an encore, as well as an assortment of polished notes, maybe even some resin. Soft oak spices as well, and ginger too. The gentle wood smoke is enjoyable, as well as yellow cake, gentle bread-y influences and soft jammy fruits.
Finish: Medium length. A hint of burnt toast, but also tinned forest fruits and cloves.
Photo: Whic.de
Nice to see this stuff get a re-visit and an up-to-date review. I get plum notes from it on the nose and palate, which I love and which seems to me to be quite “Japanesey” – that’s probably auto-suggestion. It’s also quite easy to find at whisky shops and quality off-licenses (in the UK), and if I’m out of a bottle I usually can’t resist. A keeper, as they say.