Nikka 17 Years old Taketsuru Pure Malt Wooden box Version 43% NV

Professional reviews

Serge Valentin (80)

Colour: full gold.

Nose: it’s a fresher oakiness this time but it’s quite oaky. Sawdust and cinnamon, sandalwood, leaves, vanilla. Once again there’s little fruitiness. More spices after a few minutes, that is to say even more cinnamon, cocoa powder, then tobacco and a little bacon, probably from sherry casks. Another very dry one…

Mouth: fuller now, more peppery, richer… Bitter oranges and pepper, many dried fruits (zests, figs, prunes…), touches of ginger and cinnamon, liquorice, thyme tea… Pleasant body, it’s a rather firm malt despite the low strength.

Finish: fairly long, more herbal and bitter but in a pleasant way. Maybe touches of salt in the aftertaste as well as quite some liquorice and smoke.

BOW (86)