Yoichi Distillery Limited
50cl / 40%
£119.00
- Malt type: Blended
- Region: Japan
Tasting Notes
Citrus, Malt, Almonds, Corn and Ginger
Smoky, Butterscotch, Apple, Vanilla and Pineapple
Medium Finish, Vanilla and Bitter Medicine
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A rare and discontinued 500ml blended expression, exclusively sold at the distillery shop, capturing the iconic Yoichi smokiness.
At-a-Glance
| Field | Details |
| Distillery / Bottler / Country & Region | Yoichi Distillery / Nikka Whisky / Japan, Hokkaido |
| Category | Blended Whisky (Japanese) |
| Age / Vintage / Bottled | No Age Statement / Released Mid-2017 |
| ABV & Size(s) | 40% / 500ml |
| Cask / Treatment | Not stated by the producer |
| Natural Colour | Not stated by the producer |
| Non-Chill-Filtered | Not stated by the producer (Likely Chill-Filtered due to 40% ABV) |
| Cask Strength | No |
| Bottle count / Outturn | Limited, discontinued, strictly restricted purchase (One per person/household) |
| Intended channel | Distillery Shop Exclusive (Japan only) |
| Packaging | Original presentation box |
| Notes on discrepancies | This 40% ABV blend is distinct from the 45% ABV core single malt |
Historical Context
Yoichi Distillery is the symbolic origin point of Nikka Whisky, founded in 1934 by Masataka Taketsuru. The location in Hokkaido was chosen for its environmental resemblance to Scotland, which imparts a subtle briny character during maturation. Yoichi is globally distinguished by its traditional Scotch production method, including the use of direct coal-fired heating for its pot stills, a technique that imparts a characteristic robust, peaty, and smoky flavour.
This Distillery Limited bottling, a 40% ABV, 500ml Blended Whisky, represents a tactical response by Nikka during the severe Japanese whisky stock shortages of the mid-2010s. Introduced in mid-2017 and subsequently discontinued, this expression was created to offer a distinctive, collectable item without drawing upon the rapidly diminishing stocks of aged single malt.
The nature of the release—bottled at minimum legal strength, in a small 500ml format, and sold exclusively at the distillery shop with purchases restricted to one bottle per customer—underscores its intense scarcity as a souvenir. While the technical specifications (40% ABV, blended) place its liquid value below the higher-ABV Single Malts, its extreme exclusivity maintains a highly stable secondary market price.
Technical Specification & Variant Map
This expression is officially classified as a Blended Whisky, a mixture of Yoichi malt and grain whisky. The key specifications are the 500ml volume and the 40% ABV. The minimum bottling strength of 40% ABV means that, consistent with commercial standards, the whisky was likely Chill-Filtered to maintain clarity. The blend uses selected malt and grain components specifically chosen to retain the signature smoky character of Yoichi.
Documented variants
This 40% ABV, 500ml Blended Whisky is unique to the distillery’s restricted releases of that period. It must be clearly differentiated from the core range Yoichi Single Malt, which is bottled at a higher 45% ABV.
Variant Matrix
| ABV | Volume | Market | Era cues | Relative desirability |
| 40% | 500ml | Japan (Distillery Shop Exclusive) | Blended Whisky, 2017 Discontinuation | Highest (Specific collectible item) |
| 45% | 700ml/750ml | Global | Standard Permanent Single Malt (Post-2016 NAS) | High (Core range liquid quality) |
| 47% | 700ml/750ml | Limited | Limited Edition Single Malt (Higher strength, specific finishes) | Specialist (Highest liquid value) |
Packaging & authenticity checklist
Verification requires confirming the specific 500ml volume and 40% ABV as stated on the label. The label must explicitly state it is a 'Blended Whisky'. The presence of the original presentation box is expected and contributes significantly to its value. Japanese market authentication cues, such as domestic tax labels, serve as important provenance markers.
Regulatory/terminology notes
The category Blended Whisky confirms that the spirit is a marriage of malt and grain components. The blend’s 40% ABV presentation results in a lighter style compared to the high-strength single malts, requiring careful blending to ensure the distinct smoky identity of the distillery remains discernible.
Liquid Profile (from verifiable notes)
The verified notes illustrate a lighter expression that still successfully carries the iconic, smoky core of the malt component.
Nose: The aroma is refined, offering notes of Citrus, Malt, and Almonds. A characteristic presence of Corn, indicative of the grain spirit, is balanced by the spice of Ginger.
Palate: Taut and lively, the taste delivers a smoky essence, confirming the Yoichi malt heritage. This is complemented by sweetness, including Butterscotch and Vanilla, along with bright, tropical fruit notes such as Apple and Pineapple.
Finish: Medium in length, concluding with persistent Vanilla and a distinctive, slightly bitter, medicinal note.
With water: No official guidance is provided. Dilution is generally discouraged, as it risks compromising the delicate balance and strength of the spirit, potentially dulling the signature smokiness.
Pricing & Market Dynamics (GBP)
As a distillery exclusive, the Original RRP (GBP) is not available. Secondary market pricing shows stability, confirming its collectible status. Current UK retail listings place the price consistently between GBP 76.99 and GBP 79.99.
Price Snapshot
| Channel | Date | Bottle spec | Price (GBP) | Notes |
| Retail (UK) | Undated | 500ml, 40% | 76.99 | Recent retail listing |
| Retail (UK) | Undated | 500ml, 40% | 79.99 | Alternate retail listing |
Pricing stratification is rigid: while definitive rarity (discontinued, limited purchase) maintains its value, the low ABV and blend categorization constrain its price growth relative to pure aged single malts. This item appeals strongly to completionists and brand enthusiasts. Liquidity is moderate, dependent on specialized sourcing from Japanese whisky markets.
Distillery/Bottler Snapshot
Yoichi Distillery, the backbone of Nikka Whisky, is highly respected globally for its traditional, rugged production methods and the signature peat smoke imparted by coal-fired stills. Every bottling, even a limited blend, carries the weight of this heritage, guaranteeing a distinctive and authentic Japanese whisky profile.
Sourcing
Sourcing must exclusively target the 500ml, 40% ABV Blended Whisky from the 2017 release era. Key red flags include listings that misrepresent the blend as a Single Malt. Condition thresholds require a pristine presentation box and label integrity, essential for a collectible souvenir. Margins should reflect acquisition costs from specialized international channels, supporting slow, consistent velocity.
