Review #12: Nikka Miyagikyo Single Malt




Nikka uses this malt in many of its blends, including Taketsuru, which I have previously reviewed, and Nikka From the Barrel. This quite lovely and lively dram definitely stands up on its own. The label emphasizes ex-sherry cask maturation and the influence is certainly there but not heavy handed. The floral and peppery aspects make me think Mizunara oak is probably involved as well, but I'm not sure on details of the casks and maturation breakdown.

Name: Nikka Miyagikyo Single Malt (newer bottling, purchased 2020)

Brand / Distillery: Nikka / Miyagikyo

Age: NAS

Strength: 90 proof / 45% ABV

Color: 0.5 yellow gold

TL;DR: wonderful. Apple orchard, plums, incense smoke, delicate tea, tropical fruits, veggies and mushrooms. Strong and distinct flavors and a lot of them. Complex and well-integrated.

Handshake: lovely, earthy peat and fruity malt. Powerful and distinct. I'm excited to taste.

Nose: apple orchard: earthy, wood, trees, loamy soil. Fresh perfumy apples. Background of plums. Malty. Umami: fresh white mushrooms. A nice, faint, winey, sour note over the top: balsamic vinegar. Coastal but not briny: high tide by the sea shore in spring. Perfumy spring flowers. Sharp, estery, purple blooms. Hint of cinnamon. The nose has so much to give I could keep digging forever. Lovely. After sipping: incense smoke, a hint of ash. Standing near a small fire pit at a courtyard cocktail party. Background of tropical fruits: dragonfruit, banana, coconut.

Palate: Medium mouthfeel. Ethanol warmth. Cinnamon, fresh homemade applesauce. Prunes. Elegant earthy peat: perfumed incense sticks, light on the smoke. Dragonfruit. Hint of ash as you spread it around. Hint of licorice. Sandalwood. Pleasant background of malt. Barley tea.

Finish: Apple cider. Raisins. Bitter orange zest. Vegetal in a good way: sauteed bok choy and mushrooms with hoisin sauce. Layers of tea: sencha, barley tea, white tea. White pepper and a bit of cracked black pepper. More sandalwood and incense. Licorice comes back. Settles into earthy and woody as we fade out. Medium length.

After-nose (as the glass is drying): distant floral incense.

Overall: Damn. This was really good. Complex and well-integrated. So much to find and it all works together. Strong flavors at the proof; all major tastes except salty are represented: Asian haute cuisine in a glass. Had to pour a second glass to finish my notes. Every time I come back to Japanese Whisky it reminds me why it's my favorite. Fruity, malty, perfumy, incensed. Again: damn.... Despite no age statement it doesn't feel overly young. Whatever youthfulness is here contributes to the whole.

Rating: 86/100

Price: retail $99.99 plus tax in WA, but I got it on special for $89.99.

Value (would I buy again?): 3/5 - maybe. There's a lot out there to try but this is great. Only held back on value by the Japanese premium, which I'm willing to pay, to an extent.

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