Nikka Days

Mar 28

Japanese whisky has seen many ups and downs in the last century, but one thing has remained constant: the Highball. An easy-to-drink refresher, a Japanese Highball is four parts soda water to one part whisky, with a little variation for how strong you might like your drink. With an 80º whisky, that would bring the ABV down to around 8% - comparable to a strong beer or a light wine. Popular at after-work bars and izakayas, the Highball is the classic Japanese whisky drink.

It’s far too reductive to say that Japanese whisky is designed for the Highball, but there’s no denying that much of it was and still is. Highballs were consumed quickly and went with everything, and at that low a final ABV one could drink several much more quickly than one could a whisky neat. Just tasting through a few Japanese whiskies, you’ll also see that the whisky isn’t concealed by the soda water, only diluted.

So what about Nikka Days? Nikka as a brand has been around since 1934, the second distillery started by Masataka Taketsuru. Nikka Days, though, is a much newer product - very new, in fact. Days was introduced in July 2020, just in time for the quarantine. From the release:

Both the flavors and appearance of NIKKA DAYS were designed to highlight the bright side of whisky and whisky consumption. The blend is structured by the mellow and smooth Coffey Grain Whisky and aromatic non-peated Miyagikyo malts, along with a touch of Coffey Malt Whisky and Yoichi malts to enhance the bright sweetness and rich body. The complex and delicate blend results in an extremely silky mouthfeel, with fruity and floral flavors that rise and expand, leaving behind a delightful aftertaste.
“As the name suggests, NIKKA DAYS has been developed for whisky lovers who appreciate fine drinks on any casual day,” says Emiko Kaji, Nikka Whisky international business development manager. “This elegant whisky can be enjoyed neat, on the rocks, in a simple highball or refreshing cocktail. We hope that NIKKA DAYS will complement and elevate your day.”

Days is Nikka’s new entry point, even at the $50 suggested retail price. With blends coming from all over the Nikka landscape (Yoichi, Miyagikyo, both Coffey Malt and Coffey Grain), it dies represent much of the Nikka flavor profile in a single drink, albeit one without peat. The bottle does feel like it was designed for the American market rather than the Japanese one - bright, large shapes, none of the subtlety of other Nikka products - but maybe I’m reading too much into that.

Either way, Days does make a refreshing drink and it’s definitely a summertime whisky for me. The mouthfeel, while silky, isn’t quite big enough to overcome dead-of-winter chill. For summer, though? Just right. It’s Nikka Time.

Side note: as of 2021, Nikka Days no longer qualifies as Japanese Whisky as defined recently by the Japan Spirits & Liqueur Maker’s Association.

Nikka Days: Specs

Classification: Whisky

Origin: Nikka’s Yoichi and Miyagikyo Distilleries

Mashbill: Undisclosed

Proof: 80 (40% ABV)

Age: NAS

Location: Japan

Nikka Days Price: $50

Official Website

Nikka Days Whisky Review: Tasting Notes

Eye: Pale yellow. Thin rims and thin running legs.

Nose: Very light nose - bare whiff of apple orchard. Some barrel spice dries on the nose. A bit of smoke, but not peaty - probably barrel char. Bubblegum and grapes appear with some air.

Palate: Apple forward, gentle spice tingles on the tongue. A very light, effervescent whisky that dries slowly on the tongue. Mouthfeel is oily and drying, light.

Finish: Oak and a light fruitiness.

Overall: A summer whisky for sure, and a great entry point to the Nikka world.

Final Rating: 6.2

10 | Insurpassable | Nothing Else Comes Close (Blanton’s Straight from the Barrel)

9 | Incredible | Extraordinary (GTS, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof B518 and B520)

8 | Excellent | Exceptional (12+YO MGP Bourbon, Highland Park Single Barrels)

7 | Great | Well above average (Blanton’s Original, Old Weller Antique, Booker’s)

6 | Very Good | Better than average (Four Roses Small Batch Select, Knob Creek 14+ YO Picks)

5 | Good | Good, solid, ordinary (Elijah Craig Small Batch, Buffalo Trace, Old Grand-Dad Bottled-in-Bond)

4 | Sub-par | Many things I’d rather have (A.D. Laws Four Grain, Compass Box “Oak Cross”)

3 | Bad | Flawed (Iron Smoke Bourbon, Balcones)

2 | Poor | Forced myself to drink it (Buckshee Bourbon and Rye)