Nikka Yoichi 12 Year Old Single Malt (70cl, 45%)

This is the Nikka Yoichi 12 Year Old, a Japanese single malt from the Yoichi distillery on the northern island of Hokkaido. Masataka Taketsuru founded the distillery in 1934, and it still uses coal-fired stills. The whisky is bottled at 45% ABV in a 70cl bottle. The nose is described as peat smoke and salty sea air, with apple, citrus, vanilla and oak. The palate brings strong but elegant peat smoke, spice, salty maritime notes, sweet malt and dark chocolate. The finish is very long, with lingering smoke, a maritime character and a subtle sweetness.