Nikka Taketsuru 21 Years Old Pure Malt 43% NV

Professionele reviews

Serge Valentin (85)

Colour: gold.

Nose: it’s another dimension for sure, with many more fruits, even if it’s no big whisky. Quite light globally but complex, malty, slightly earthy (just like many Japanese malts that we just tried) and otherwise rather floral. Honeysuckle, lily of the valley, dandelions, then more honey and beeswax, vanilla, coconut (fresh American oak), oranges, bananas… It’s rather delicate whisky but it’s quite lively as well. Also a little peat and mint.

Mouth: rich, peatier than on the nose and very fruity (fruit salad, blood oranges, pineapples). There are also many candied and pastry-like notes, butterscotch, baklavas (orange blossom), jams, honey… It’s very good, very fresh, kind of sexy (but not vulgar at all).

Finish: rather long, smooth, with more spices (sweet cinnamon, cardamom, aniseed), honey, peat and a little spearmint.

Comments: perfectly composed and kind of fresher than most high-end Scottish blends. I find the 21 quite variable, sometimes it’s fabulous and sometimes its, well, a little less fabulous. This one was sort of between both in my opinion.

Words of Whisky (87)

:

It's a whisky with two faces for me. A nose in which the sweeter sides dominates, and a palate that is spicier.
Nose
Bit dusty at first. Then sandalwood and some light glue. Plenty of vanilla follows, with also ripe tropical fruit, cinnamon and apples. A bit waxy. Balanced and refreshing.
Taste
Slightly sour and bitter, lots of oak influence. Coffee and cinnamon. Pretty dry, so lots of tannins. Also more spices with pepper and cloves.
Finish
Black tea, milk chocolate, tannins and some tobacco. Long.

BOW (89)

Best Japanese blended malt 21 years and over
2015 world whiskies awards (category winner)


2012 World Whiskies Awards, Best Non Scotch Blended Malt Whisk 21 Years and over / 2011 World Whiskies Awards, World's Best Blended Malt / 2010 World Whiskies Awards, World's Best Blended Malt / 2009 World Whiskies Awards, World's Best Blended Malt / 2008 World Whiskies Awards, Best Non Scotch Blended Malt Whisk / 2007 World Whiskies Awards, World's Best Blended Malt