Nikka Single Malt Yoichi (70cl, 45%)

A Japanese single malt from the Nikka Yoichi distillery in Hokkaido, bottled at 45% ABV in a 70cl bottle. It carries no age statement and was introduced in 2016 as a permanent expression, when Nikka's age-stated bottlings were discontinued. It is a vatting of several malts and has no added colour. Yoichi was Nikka's first distillery, built in 1934 by Masataka Taketsuru. Yoichi malts are described as bold and strong, with refined peaty notes and smokiness from direct coal-fired distillation. Sea air from Ishikari Bay is said to add a briny hint during maturation.