Yoichi Single Malt shows the characteristics of Nikka’s first distillery built in 1934. The founder Masataka Taketsuru chose Yoichi in Hokkaido because of the similar environmental conditions to Scotland, where he learned whisky making. Yoichi Single Malt is bold and strong. It gives pleasant, peaty notes and smokiness originating from the traditional direct coal-fired distillation as well as a briny hint delivered by the sea breeze during the aging process. On the nose it is full-bodied and smooth. A mellow peat softly coats the aromatic palate at first, growing more powerful with time, as smoke, soot and salty notes transcend the initial nose. The aromas then evolve towards candied citrus fruit, black liquorice and spices and open up with roots and dried twig aromas. On the palate it is firm and powerful. A well-balanced attack gives equal footing to aromas of peat, smoke, spices, fresh fruit and nuts, which it delivers in spades. The finish is long and silky. Extremely mature, it overflows with ripe fruit notes. A world class Single Malt.