Nikka Yoichi 12 Y.O. "Peaty and Salty" Distillery Only

Sample from a friend.

Nose: Light peat, clean and refreshing. There's some smoke and salty nori. Faintly sweet malt and lemon, both fresh and candied. Oil, almost verging on putty, and I do like it! Some ginger and white pepper, and touching on wet pebbles and oysters. (with water) Slightly flatter, and if less sharp for it, then all the more accessible. The lovely malty character is a bit more evident.

Palate: Thick, oily, and rich. Very chewy. Heavy ash, almost with a suggestion of bitter oak, but it's the peat fully emerging, and bold. Salt, ginger, chili, and less coastal. The fruit and secondary elements from the nose are more obscured here. (with water) A touch sweeter here, though still on familiar ground.

Finish: Ash, ginger, lemon, salt, and less malt. The putty makes a return. Really pleasant finish. The peat on the palate was a bit surprising compared to the nose, but it was just as intense and focused. Really clearly a high quality malt in it.

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