Nikka From the Barrel (50cl, 51.4%)

Nikka From the Barrel is a Japanese blended whisky first released in 1985, in a 50cl bottle at 51.4% ABV. It combines selected malt whiskies from the Miyagikyo and Yoichi distilleries with grain whisky. After blending, the whisky is re-casked and left to rest for several months in wooden barrels, a marriage stage that is often done in stainless steel tanks for blends. It is then bottled with minimal dilution, which keeps the strength high for a blend. The square-pillar bottle was designed by Taku Satoh and has not changed since the whisky first appeared. Its very short neck is known to make pouring a little tricky.