Nose: Rich and savory, with licorice, bacon fat, and tempting peat. Palate: Bigger and fruitier than the nose would suggest, with the peat blending beautifully with rich dark chocolate. It is mouth coating and satisfying. Finish: Complex, with the peat acting as a counterpoint to all that richness.

Of Nikka’s two malt whisky distilleries, Yoichi produces rich, peaty and masculine malt. The whisky gets its distinct aroma and body from direct heating distillation. In this method the pot stills are heated with finely powdered natural coal. This is a traditional method that is hardly ever used today, even in Scotland. Read more about the Yoichi distillery here!