Nikka Pure Malt Black

ReviewsJapaneseNikka

Nov 28

Written By David Levine

Nikka Pure Malt Black

Japanese Blended Malt Whisky

NAS

43% ABV/86 Proof

Eye: Golden honey. Very thin rims, droplets all over the glass.

Nose: Sweet malt and orchard fruit explode out of the glass. Honey, apples, sultanas all there. Fresh grapes in the upper nostrils. Some hay in the background.

Palate: Oaky and astringent up front, followed by hints of smoke, brine, and orchard fruit. This is less briny and more earthy than the red, the petrichor taste and smell being very clear but never out of balance. Mouthfeel is light, slightly oily, and a little flat.

Finish: Lets out more earthy notes, like walking in a freshly planted garden.

Overall: A perfect earthy whisky for me - just a hint of salt and smoke, petrichor, zero medicinal qualities. Again it reminds me of JWs, this time the Double Black in particular. Would happily own this.

Rating: 7.0

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)

1 | Disgusting | Drain pour (Virginia Distilling Co. Cider Cask)