Nikka Taketsuru 17

Today I taste the Nikka Taketsuru 17yo pure malt. This one was bottled around 2010 with 43%vol.

• Nose: Mineralic, green grass, pear juice, sweet peat, 
• Mouth: Very mild, malty, light pepper
• Finish: Sherry, light oak, very mild again, bananas, burnt oak "smell" and sandalwood

Comment: Very enjoyable whisky, fairly simple but distinctively Japanese finish.

85 points

(2010)

Nikka Taketsuru NAS

The Nikka Taketsuru is a non age statement blended malt released in 2014 (in Europe). According to Nikka most malts in this one are around 10 years old. Bottled at 43% vol.

• Nose: Wood aromas, berries, green banana, grape gums, muscat grapes
• Mouth: Some light sherry, oily, wood, some slight tobacco, feels and tastes a bit watery nonetheless
• Finish: Fruity, sherry and honey and a hint of smoke. Still a bit watery. Adding a little bit water enhances the fruity aromas and adds some vanilla.

Comment: Lovely blended malt with a very Japanese profile. But the weak bodied watery taste in the mouth and finish diminishes the overall enjoyment a little bit. Adding water gives it more fruitiness but certainly doesn't help with the slightly watery overall taste.

83 points

(2014)