Nikka Frontier (50cl, 48%)

Nikka Frontier is a Japanese blended whisky, bottled at 48% in a 50cl bottle. At least 51% of the blend is malt, an unusually high share, and heavily peated malt from Yoichi is its key component. It was created for Nikka's 90th anniversary, partly inspired by the whiskies Nikka has supplied to Japanese Antarctic expeditions for more than half a century. It is non-chill-filtered and has no added colour. The nose combines cask-aged notes, jammy fruit, clear malt and pleasant smoke. The palate is soft and full, with ripe fruit sweetness set against a fine peaty bitterness. The finish stays sweet, with soft oak alongside.