The Nikka Tailored - Review
The Nikka Tailored Japanese whisky is a premium blended whisky that embodies the rich heritage and innovative spirit of Nikka Whisky, one of Japan's most esteemed whisky producers. Founded by Masataka Taketsuru, often referred to as the father of Japanese whisky, Nikka has a storied history that began in 1934 with the establishment of the Yoichi Distillery in Hokkaido. Taketsuru's journey to Scotland in 1918 to learn the art of whisky-making laid the foundation for his vision of creating authentic Japanese whisky[1][3].
Nikka Tailored is a testament to this legacy, blending malt whiskies from Nikka's Miyagikyo and Yoichi distilleries with Coffey Grain whisky. This combination results in a complex and harmonious flavor profile that highlights rich malty notes and a soft mouthfeel, with hints of vanilla, cherries, citrus, and a slightly smoky finish[4][5]. The whisky's presentation is equally refined, with an asymmetrical bottle design that symbolizes the layers of tradition and modernity that define Nikka's craftsmanship[5].
Despite its premium quality, The Nikka Tailored does not meet all the criteria set by the Japan Spirits & Liqueur Makers Association for "Japanese whisky," reflecting the evolving standards within the industry[5]. Nevertheless, it remains a celebrated expression that captures the essence of Japanese whisky-making, appealing to both connoisseurs and newcomers alike.
Review:
Nose: This nose packs quite a punch for it’s 86 proof point. I immediately get the malted barley and sweet dried red fruit on the nose with some more typical scotch notes coming through as well. There is an ever so slight peatiness but is quickly rounded out with a plum note that i find common in Speyside malts. This isn’t too surprising as Japanese whisky roots came extensively from the practice in Scotland. There is also a caramel like drizzle as well after returning for another nose. It is very complex and flavors start to bloom after sitting in the glass for a few minutes.
Palate: This is very soft on the palate and light on the tongue. The plum note mentioned in the nose comes strong and first on the palate and tastes as if it is coated in sugar. The peat notes were on the back of the tongue and intermingled really nicely with the sweeter tone of this whisky. I get a little bit of white peppercorn on the taste as well which I characterize as the spice that it brings. There are no ethanol or alcohol notes on the palate anywhere.
Finish: This has one of the longest finishes I can recall for a whisky at 86 proof. The flavors from the sip continue to coat the mouth and i am still tasting something almost 30 seconds after the sip. A new note that develops for me on the finish is honey and peaches it unfolds. The caramel note holds strong through the finish and there is little to no peatiness as the sip lingers on.
Overall: 83. I forgot how much I liked this whisky. I bought this on my trip over to London back in the summer of 2022 and only have probably one more glass worth. For the proof-point this is a wonderfully blended whisky that replaced the 12 year old variant some years back. The complexity of the flavors and how well they worked together shows the craft and the quality that the two Nikka distillery locations produce. If you are a scotch fan (but don’t care too much for the peat seen in Islay and lowland bottlings) or if you are abroad and want to find a nice bottle of blended Japanese whisky that will turn you into a Japanese whisky fan, look no further. The bottle it comes in is stunning as well (Which I know doesn’t matter much at the end of the day).
Value: 75/100; (0 on the overall) This cost 110 pounds (~$130) when purchased and I would pay for that again if I had the opportunity to do so. I felt this is a great luxury Japanese whiskey for someone who is relatively new to the Japanese whisky scene. Nikka only produces truly quality offerings and I don’t think you can go wrong with any of them. However, The value adjustment would go way up if this bottle were Nikka Days. At only about $50 and obtainable in teh states, that offers a slightly less well-rounded flavor profile but hits on many of the notes found in this bottle.
Availability: Not accessible. This can only be found outside of the United States. A similar offering I would recommend would be Nike straight from the barrel or Hibiki Harmony.
Citations:
[1] https://www.nikka.com/eng/story/founder/
[2] https://pinpointtraveler.com/a-brief-guide-to-japanese-whisky/
[3] https://www.visit-hokkaido.jp/en/feature/masatakataketsuru
[4] https://www.bondston.com/nikka-tailored-p14028
[5] https://www.nikka.com/eng/brands/thenikka/