Nikka Taketsuru 21 Years Old Pure Malt (70cl, 43%)

Nikka Taketsuru 21 Years Old is a Japanese blended malt that combines malt whiskies from Nikka's two distilleries, Yoichi and Miyagikyo. It is bottled at 43% in a 70cl bottle. The name honours Masataka Taketsuru, known as the father of Japanese whisky. It won World's Best Blended Malt Whisky at the 2010 World Whisky Awards. The nose is typically described as fresh apples and apricots with toast, vanilla and floral hints. On the palate come malt richness, a little peat and nuts, caramel, ripe fruit and spice. The finish is long and tender, with green menthol, mocha, honey and gentle peat.