Nikka Miyagikyo 10 Year Old

The Miyagikyo 10 Year Old is the entry level malt from this Japanese distillery, part of the Nikka concern. This is also a NAS-version of 500ml. I put them side by side.

The nose is much softer than the NAS bottling, with more fruit and a lot of grassy notes, but less expressive. Besides oranges and grapefruit I also get some tropical fruits. A twig of eucalyptus keeps it fresh. Some flowers and mild spices too. Needs quite some handwarmth to open op. Much dryer as well. What is this? I smell peat!

On the palate it is sweet and fresh, but with a lot of oak. Immediately drying and rather peaty! I had not expected this. Vanilla and white fruit, besides the citrus. Some earth and lots of spices. Liquorices, camomile tea, peat and even a pinch of salt. This is becoming pretty interesting on the palate. The longer you leave it, the more the peat comes out.

The long finish is dry, spicy and a touch bitter.

The nose and finish were okayish, but the palate was very surprising. Therefore I am giving it the same score as the NAS bottling, which gave me the same pleasure at the least.

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