Nikka – The Grain Whisky 2023

Nikka The Grain Whisky 2023 is a Japanese release built from a range of grain whiskies, including specially reserved aged Coffey grain and Coffey malt, and new grain whiskies made from corn and rye. It combines Saburomaru malt base whisky, mostly distilled in 2018, with grain whisky aged in-house for over 12 years. The nose is smoky, with sandalwood and milk chocolate. On the palate come smoke, citrus, marron and the gentle bitterness of oak, with grain sweetness arriving later. The aftertaste begins with burnt aromas and bitterness before settling into a lingering sweetness.