Nikka Discovery Yoichi Aromatic Yeast Whisky 2022 (70cl)

This is a Japanese whisky from the Yoichi Distillery on Hokkaido, released in 2022 as part of the Nikka Discovery series, which explores new malts being worked on at Nikka. It is a limited edition that follows the Yoichi style, giving a fruity, floral, peated whisky. Yoichi was Nikka's first distillery, built in 1934 by Masataka Taketsuru, who chose the town for its likeness to Scotland, where he learned whisky-making. Yoichi malts are known for peaty notes and smokiness from direct coal-fired distillation, with a briny hint from the sea breeze off Ishikari Bay. In the glass, expect apple, pear and plum, followed by subtle smoke.