Whisky Around the Globe: Yoichi 15 (Japan)

It's always a great joy to try great whiskies from all around the globe, especially since whisky is now really becoming a global phenomenon with great whisky produced throughout the world. To celebrate this worldwide growth, SGwhisky has decided to take a little trip around the globe (Serge Valentin of Whiskyfun did 100 whiskies from around the world recently, in some ways this is inspired by his brilliant segment, but it is of course at a much smaller scale) to try whiskies from some of the major whisky (whiskey) producing country's in the world.

We start off this journey with a personal favourite, and a whisky I have long wanted to get for my collection at home. Nikka whisky was the first ever Japanese whisky I tried. I remember getting my bottle from Gerry's Wine shop at Leeds, and it was a bottle of Nikka From the Barrel. Modestly priced, full of flavour and packing a real punch at 51.4%, that bottle awakened my senses to the exceedingly brilliant world of Japanese whisky.

Back in Singapore, I managed to try a few whiskies but one that always caught my eye was the Yoichi 15YO. Raved about by the global whisky community, the Yoichi 15 is seen as one of the better expressions in the Yoichi stable. I remember trying it in February but I didn't do proper notes for it, so without further ado, here's presenting the first whisky in SGwhisky's look at the World's Whiskies, the Yoichi 15.

Name: Yoichi 15YO
Distillery: Nikka Yoichi (Japan)
Type: Single Malt
Age Statement: 15%
Batch No: 12J02C
Alc/Vol: 45%


Despite the common held belief that Taketsuru founded Yoichi with the intent of making it more inclined towards Scottish whisky, this whisky is certainly unique to Japan in terms of its style. Creamy and peaty, it is a real treat!


Nose: The distinctively 'Yoichi' style is evident in the creamy nose that blends together with a gentle peatiness. Notes of light cheesecake batter (or cream cheese filling), red fruit, longan jelly, stewed cherries (and some maraschino cherries). A nice sherry wine note is evident too. Great stuff (23)


Taste/Palate: Semi-sweet entry with notes of dark chocolate and barley sugar. A light smokiness is then apparent before notes of muted black pepper and cloves, pickled ginger, vanilla and some white fruit is detected (22)


Finish: Some anise but the predominant note is fruit with notes of pear and some water chestnut! (21)


Overall: A very good whisky in all senses of the word! Definitely worth a try. Well balanced and very distinctive (22) 88/100


Found at: The Auld Alliance, La Maison Du Whisky