Nikka Yoichi Single Malt (70cl, 45%)

This is a Japanese single malt without an age statement from the Yoichi distillery in Hokkaido, bottled at 45% in a 70cl bottle. Masataka Taketsuru founded the distillery in 1934, and it is Nikka's first. This expression was launched in 2016. Yoichi is one of the few distilleries still using direct coal-fired distillation, which gives the whisky toasted and roasted aromas throughout. It is lightly peated and medium-bodied, with vanilla cream, honey and orchard fruits alongside cold ash, green pepper and a honey-soy glaze note, plus a little briny sea air.