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Nikka Pure malt 'Red' (43%, OB, batch #02H22C, +/-2002)
Colour: gold.
Nose: there’s more peat than in the Taketsuru, but we wouldn’t say this is peaty whisky. Rather grassy but not too much, malty but not too much, fruity (oranges, marmalade, quinces) but not too much… We’re getting closer to the Taketsuru after a while, with delicate floral notes (yellow flowers) but… Not too much. Keyword: balance.
Mouth: once again, this is bigger whisky than the Taketsuru, but also less smooth and less directly drinkable. The attack is rather punchy, all on cooked fruits and cornflakes, but it drops a bit after that. Mead and something perfumy. Baklavas? Gets then quite dry.
Finish: medium-long, maltier and more caramelly, and then maybe a tad soapy in the aftertaste. Again a little salt.
Comments: good balance but I think I liked both the ‘black’ and the ‘white’ versions better. This ‘red’ lacks a little more oomph on the palate in my opinion, but it’s still good, flawless malt whisky. SGP:432 – 78 points.
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