(한국어 시음기 밑에 있어요!) The Yoichi Heavily Peated is a special edition NAS offering from Nikka’s Yoichi Distillery in Hokkaido, a distillery famed for being Japan’s most famous producer of smoky whisky in a style reminiscent of Campbeltown or Islay. Every now and again, Nikka release a limited run of around 3000 bottles in Japan, the last of which was in 2015. Most of these get snapped up by collectors or bars. For most people, only way to experience this exquisite and unique Japanese dram is to hunt down a bar in Japan that has it in stock. I managed to try this special little dram in Osaka last fall.
Vitals:
ABV: 48%
Colour: Pale gold
Chill-filtered: No.
Nose: A pungent aroma of smoked, salted meat, reminiscent of Korean barbecue or Japanese Yakinikku. Unlike the original version, the peat smoke on this is quite in your face and lively. This is not a beast to be trifled with! Behind this lies some earthy notes with just a little bit of a hint of citrus and wood. Dare I say, charcoaled wood? There’s also a prominent gasoline note that develops with a prolonged nosing. It's almost being like transported to a gas station/petrol station! 24/25
Palate: Intensely smoky and surprisingly sweet with some chocolaty caramel notes and hints of dried prunes, cherries and apricots. Initially the flavours are masked by a note which can only be described as something like burnt bread, but that subsides fairly quickly, unlocking a variety of sweet honey and milk chocolate notes which intermingle with the peat smoke before fading as it draws to its climax. 25/25
Finish:Long and lingering smoke notes reminiscent of cigars and gasoline. An unrepentant peat-bomb. 23.5/25
Value*: Give up. You have no chance of finding this in Korea for anything outside of silly money. 1/25
Conclusion:
This was a very unique Japanese whisky that I’d love to see turned into a full release, now that Nikka has discontinued the last of their age-statement whiskies. To be entirely honest, I can't understand why the hell they havent done so already! This is right up there with the very best that Islay has to offer and would be extremely well received by peatheads around the world.
It’s got a lot going for it and the extra peat oomph builds on the already fantastic base that is the Yoichi spirit. It has certainly left a lasting impression on me and instantly became one of my top 5 whiskies.
This is an absolute must try if you can find it.
Basic Rating: 96.7%
Price Adjusted Rating*: 73.5%
Daily Drinker: No, for the sole reason that this nectar of the gods should be savored!
Possible pairing: I'm thinking gruyere or emmental cheese would work well. But that's only a guess. Honestly, if you do get the chance to try it, 99% of the time you'll likely be drinking it without a pairing!
Where to find in Korea: The only place I can think of that might have it is Namdaemun market. But expect to pay thousands.
TLDR Version:
N: smoked meat , jerky, Korean BBQ/Yakinikku, strong peat smoke → earthy peat, citrus, wood, charcoal → benzene, gasoline (an aromatic hydrocarbon festa!)
P: Heavy smoke, chocolate, caramel, dried prunes, cherries, apricots and burnt bread → honey, milk chocolate → unrelenting peat smoke
F: Long and lingering, with gasoline and cigars.
V: Don't bother trying to buy it. Even in Japan it's crazy expensive.
C: A bonafide peat bomb that can compete with the best of Islay. One of the best I have ever tried.
한국어 시음평:
N: 훈제 고기, 육포, 갈비, 강한 피트 스모크향 → 피트, 감귤류, 나무, 숯 → 벤젠, 휘발유
P : 강한 스모크 향, 초콜릿, 카라멜, 말린 자두, 체리, 살구, 탄 빵 → 꿀, 밀크 초콜릿 → 피트 스모크
F: 피니시가 길어요. 휘발유, 시가.
V : 일본에서도 매우 비싸요
C: 피트 폭탄. 내가 마셔본 중 최고에요.
Buy / Mooch / Pass: I honestly wish I could buy it. It'd even feel terrible if I mooched it... But if this was a regular release then it would be a definite buy.
Review by Glasgowhisky
2020/07/25
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