Nikka – The Grain Discovery (70cl, 48%)

Nikka The Grain Discovery is a Japanese blended grain whisky, bottled at 48% without chill-filtration or added colour. It brings together seven grain styles from Nishinomiya, Miyagikyo, Moji and Satsuma Tsukasa, pairing older Coffey grain and Coffey malt stocks with newer grain distillates from two sites best known for shochu. Some of the oldest distillates date from 1988, and maturation took place in new American oak casks. This 2023 release marks sixty years since Nikka installed Coffey stills at Nishinomiya. The nose opens with beeswax, verbena, chamomile, pineapple and mirabelle, then vanilla and light toasted notes. The palate is creamy, with almond, coconut milk and vanilla, a touch of liquorice, then cinnamon and ginger. The finish is creamy, ending in mint, acacia honey and broom and mimosa blossom.