Nikka – Taketsuru Pure Malt 17 Year Old (70cl, 43%)

This is a 17 year old blended malt from Nikka, bottled at 43% in a 70cl bottle. It is named after Masataka Taketsuru, the founder of Nikka and a pioneer of Japanese whisky. The blend brings together malt whiskies from Nikka's Yoichi and Miyagikyo distilleries, pairing the lightly smoky strength of Yoichi with the fruitier character of Miyagikyo. It was matured in oak and has an amber colour with reddish reflections. In the tasting notes, the nose offers ripe apples, plums and berries with honey, oak, spice, light smoke and a hint of sherry. The palate is velvety, with caramel, dark chocolate, juicy fruit and ginger. The finish is long, with returning fruit, gentle sweetness and soft smoke.