Nikka Pure Malt Black

Description

Nikka Pure Malt Black Bottling Note

Nikka Whisky’s ‘Pure Malt’, as the name suggests, is a whisky composed only of malt. It was first released in 1984. The master blender at the time, Takeshi Taketsuru, sought to create a whisky stripped of all unnecessary ornamentation, embodying his desire for people to simply “savor the deliciousness of 100% malt.” This led to the creation and release of the ‘Pure Malt’ series.

The Pure Malt series currently consists of two products. One is the Nikka Pure Malt Black featured on this page, which is primarily based on malt whiskies from the Yoichi Distillery. The other is the Nikka Pure Malt Red, which has red text on the label and appears to be centered on the more floral and vibrant malt whiskies from the Miyagikyo Distillery.

Nikka Pure Malt Black is a bottle where you can enjoy the power and savory smokiness typical of Yoichi malts, which are produced using direct coal-fired distillation. It is finished to have a dynamic flavor profile, similar to a genuine Scotch Highland malt.

While the exact blend of whiskies is undisclosed, it is speculated that it includes malts from the company’s second distillery, the Miyagikyo Distillery, as well as malt from their Scottish distillery, the Ben Nevis Distillery.

Nikka Pure Malt Black Tasting Note

Nose: Sweet aromas of honey, vanilla, and caramel unfold, alongside a tangy fruitiness reminiscent of apple and cherry. Although the cask type isn’t specified, there’s a strong hint of Bourbon cask. It has a charred, savory aroma and a smoky flavor.

Palate: The initial taste is a malty, sweet vanilla that spreads across the palate, followed by bitter notes catching up later. A slight astringency might be due to the cask influence. There’s a subtle fruity apple note, which gradually gives way to a spicy, smoky flavor.

Finish: The finish is of medium length, not particularly long. Peat gently spreads, accompanied by a caramel-like sweetness.

Overall: While it possesses Yoichi’s characteristic powerful and savory flavor, it’s somewhat subdued, giving the impression of a milder Yoichi. The vibrancy of Ben Nevis and Miyagikyo malts were also discernible.