Nikka From The Barrel (75cl, 51.4%)

This is a Japanese blended whisky from Nikka, first released in 1985 and sold in a square bottle meant to suggest a small block of whisky. It is bottled at 51.4%, a strength Nikka's blenders settled on through repeated experiments. The blend draws on more than 100 batches of malt and grain whisky, with malt from the Yoichi and Miyagikyo distilleries and Nikka's own Coffey grain whisky. After blending, it goes back into used oak barrels for several months of marriage before bottling. The nose has cut flowers, apricot, peach, baking spice, oak, vanilla and roasted nuts. The palate is full and punchy, with malt sweetness, toffee, orange peel, red apple and clove. The finish is long and warming, with spice, fruit and oak.