NikkaFromTheBarrelWhisky(500mL)

<p><em>The Japanese sure know how to surprise.</em></p><p>Made by the <em>Yoichi distillery</em>, the second and smaller distillery of the Nikka Whisky Company. It was founded in 1934 by one of the two most influential men in Japanese Whisky, <em>Masataka Taketsuru</em>. Yoichi Distillery lies in southern Hokkaido and has three sides surrounded by mountains, a terrain much similar to the one found in Scotland, where Masataka studied the art of Whisky production and returned to Japan as a master blender – with a Scottish wife to boot. Yoichi possesses its own cooperage and is particularly careful when selecting its barrels. Known as <em>Hogshead</em> the barrels are made on-site using new oak. Yoichi produces big, oily spirits in the Highland style.</p><p><em>Nikka From The Barrel Whisky</em> is made by maturing malt and grain Whisky, blending them and then re-casking (a process known as “marriage”) to create a rich harmony of different Whiskies. It’s bottled directly from the re-casked barrels and therefore retains almost the same alcohol percentage. The Barrel Whisky has won top prizes in its category at the <em>World Whisky Awards</em> in 2007 and 2010. </p>