Description

Yoichi Japan Single Malt Whisky, Japanese whisky

Nikka Whisky’s first distillery, Yoichi, the Yoichi Japan Single Malt Whisky is located on the coast of Hokkaido, the northernmost island of Japan. Crafted using traditional methods, such as direct coal heating, the Yoichi single malt truly captures the authentic character of its exceptional location, with its refined coastal and peat notes.

Yoichi Japan Single Malt is a range of single malt expressions from the Yoichi Distillery, Nikka’s first distillery built in 1934. The founder Masataka Taketsuru chose the town of Yoichi in Hokkaido because of the similar environmental conditions to Scotland, where he learned whisky-making.

Yoichi malts are described as bold and strong with refined peaty notes and smokiness brought by the traditional direct coal-fired distillation. Sea breeze from the Ishikari Bay delivers a briny hint to the whisky during maturation.

Yoichi Single Malt Japanese whisky

This no-age-statement version was released in 2016 as a permanent product that truly captures the authentic style of Yoichi malts, when all age-statements were discontinued. Vatting various different malt whiskies together, this bottling expresses a delicate balance between peaty, smoky and fruity aromas

Yoichi Single Malt Non-Peated Japanese whisky

This limited edition of Yoichi single malt was introduced in 2021 as the first of the “Nikka Discovery” series. In anticipation of Nikka Whisky’s 90th Anniversary, the series offers an inside look at the various experiments in the whisky-making process that Nikka has practiced over the years.
This expression is comprised solely of unpeated malts as opposed to the preconceived “peaty” image of Yoichi. It offers a delicate balance of bright fruitiness and rich mouthfeel, along with its distinctive smokiness generated by coal-fired distillation.

Yoichi Single Malt
Apple Brandy Wood Finish Japanese whisky

This limited edition of the Yoichi has been finished in Nikka’s apple brandy casks and bottled in 2020 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Masataka and Rita’s marriage in 1920. At the foundation in 1934, apple products helped Nikka to keep the business sustainable while the first whiskies were maturing, just like Rita supported Masataka’s dream.
With a delicate aroma of apples, this expression showcases a beautiful harmony of finesse and sweetness brought by apple brandy casks and Yoichi single malt’s original characteristics such as rich malt flavors, gentle peaty notes and smokiness.

＊This product is registered as “Yoichi Single Malt Whisky Finished in Apple Brandy Barrels” in USA.

Yoichi Single Malt

Nose: 20/25 

A floral, heady nose with a full-bodied scent and mellow peat smoke swirling around the glass. A sooty, smokey odour immediately follows the initial flowery scents, quickly replaced by candied lemon peel and black liquorice. The nose finishes with the scent of autumnal
decay, fallen leaves and wet grass.

Palate:  22/25

A robust and savoury palate with smoke and seaside salt immediately apparent. Followed by melon and fresh juicy fruits, with crushed almonds and a dusty walnut note. The peat smoke is apparent but not overpowering.

Finish: 19/25

A long and lingering finish with a quick burst of ripe apples and pears. The finish then switches to a longer herbaceous and malty final moment, with dill, menthol, and salt on the roof of the mouth and back of the tongue.

Impressions: 21/25

The Yoichi Single Malt has a distinctly maritime character, which immediately pulled me in and provides a unique Japanese whisky experience that really distances this particular expression
from many of the other Japanese whiskies I have tried. While many that I have tried and/or own are usually light and floral, the Yoichi balances smoke, oceanside flavours, and herbacious notes while still managing to achieve a classic flowery bouquet and the lighter, fruity tastes bursting on the tongue.

I think the Yoichi is a really great ‘bridge’ whisky for someone either just getting into whisky or someone who is looking to experience a more robust Japanese (or generally peated/smokey) whisky, especially as a no-age statement bottle. The peat smoke pays homage to Scottish whisky influences, and the flavour profile brings together Japanese floral notes with the Yoichi Distillery location on the west coast of Hokkaido by the sea. It is a lovely whisky that combines both light and robust smells and tastes, and as a result is one of my top Japanese whiskies I have tried so far.

I should mention that, to my surprise, when I opened the box I found that the bottle was a plastic screw top, rather than a cork. While this in no way impacts the taste or the quality of the whisky, I found it a little disappointing as I appreciate a beautiful bottle and unpopping the cork really adds to my anticipation of the dram ahead. So it was a bit blah to suddenly find that this beautiful whisky had a not-so-beautiful plastic screw top. However! This did not impact my review or rating in the slightest.

Trade name

Japanese single Malt

Item No.

1509084

Country of origin

Japan

Alcohol by volume [% AbV]

45.0

Manufacturer information

The Nikka Whisky Distilling CO. Ltd,Azumabashi, Sumida-ku 1-23-1,1308602 Tokyo,JP

Warnings

Drink responsibly.

Storage conditions

Store in a cool dry place.