Nikka From The Barrel Japanese Whisky (75cl, 51.4%)

Nikka From The Barrel is a Japanese blended whisky from the house founded by Masataka Taketsuru, who learned his craft in Scotland before helping build Japan's whisky industry. It combines single malts from the Yoichi and Miyagikyo distilleries with grain whisky from a Coffey still, and the blend is matured further in casks. It is bottled at 51.4% ABV in a 75cl bottle, a higher strength than most, so that the flavours reach the glass as they are in the barrel. The nose is gently peaty and malty. The palate is round and richly structured, and the finish is long and smooth, with fruit and spice.