The Yoichi Distillery is where it all began for Nikka.
Yoichi malt, made with coal-fire distillation, is known for its bold and heavy flavour profile. Even when aged in new barrels, which often imparts distinct woody and vanilla notes, Yoichi malt retains its inherent richness and depth. Whether blended with grain whisky or combined with other malts, Yoichi malt serves as the core for creating rich, complex whiskies. One of the key malt whisky (heavy-peat) has become a traditional signature from Yoichi Distillery.
Yoichi Single Malt is a range of single malt expressions from the Yoichi Distillery, Nikka's first distillery built in 1934. The founder Masataka Taketsuru chose the town of Yoichi in Hokkaido because of the similar environmental conditions to Scotland, where he learned whisky-making.
Yoichi malts are described as bold and strong with refined peaty notes and smokiness brought by the traditional direct coal-fired distillation. Sea breeze from the Ishikari Bay delivers a briny hint to the whisky during maturation.
This no-age-statement version was released in 2016 as a permanent product that truly captures the authentic style of Yoichi malts, when all age-statements were discontinued. Vatting various different malt whiskies together, this bottling expresses a delicate balance between peaty, smoky and fruity aromas.