The Blend of Nikka 17 Year Old

Happy New Year to all. I was about to post my impressions of the two "Newborn" spirits from Chichibu, but Serge Valentin has sent over his ratings of a drawer full of Nikkas. I will post Serge`s stuff first and save my own material for the depths of winter.

Review by Nonjatta contributor - Serge Valentin

Visit Serge`s website, the definitive Whiskyfun.com.

"The Blend of Nikka 17 yo (45%, Official bottling, circa 2007)
Colour: Gold.
Nose: There’s peat, there’s a whole basket of fruits, there’s a rather beautiful spiciness (nutmeg, cumin, dried cardamom) and then a long development on coastal notes and pineapples. An unusual combo that works very well. Much more in malt whisky territory than some of the other Nikka blends. And keeps improving! On par with the best Hibikis so far. Mouth: Same feeling on the palate. Not a big bodied whisky but everything is there, from peat to fruits and from spices to herbs. Pineapple syrup, dried ginger, light caramel, lychees (very obvious). Tastes more and more like a spiced-up lychee and pineapple salad.
Finish: Long this time, balanced, lingering, spicier at this stage. More cloves.
Comments: A very, very good blend that will defeat many malts. The proportion of malt whisky must be huge. SGP:542 – 87 points." (Serge`s scoring system is explained on this page.)