Review #127: Miyagikyo 9yr 2002/2012, 62%, OB, Refill butt #101127, 517 bottles

another Nikka, but not the standard bottling

I probably should try a Bushmill's, in honor of Diageo's recent divestment, which seems like something weird to me. But I've been so pleased with the other Nikka whiskies, I thought I'd see if the streak could continue one more day. This one's from Miyagikyo, but it's a single cask bottling. It seemed ridiculously expensive at the time, and still does, but now of course it would cost more and it wouldn't be available.

Nose: nice thick, chewy caramel/toffee, with a little cinnamon. some butter and apple peels and gravel. lots of freshly charred oak, surprisingly. takes a while to develop. a bunch of parsley and then some candied fruits slowly emerge: oranges mostly. A couple drops of water makes everything a little more approachable.

Palate: This is a mouthful. Intense blast of oranges, raisins, poached pears, oak juice, arugula, vanilla, honey, and marzipan. Not a lot of subtlety here, but I didn't really sherry fruit could be so intense.

Finish: weird -- it starts off on a slightly gingery, mentholated oak, and then a sweet, fruity vanilla overwhelms it. Didn't think that was possible. Very long.


I think I might the Yoichi better -- esp. at a third the price -- but this is a big experience, so we'll go with the same score.

Score: 87