Probably the most popular Japanese whisky | Nikka From the Barrel REVIEW

[@MobiusSquad]

I see that Gwhisky is also a man of culture. Great review!

[@Gwhisky]

No doubt! 😂

[@robc5051]

Saw Nikka From The Barrel for $75 in Vegas. I'm from Phoenix, though, and finding this at random liquor stores at $80-100! The old bottle I bought in the Chandler area was notably better than the bottle I bought in Vegas. I bought it in Vegas where there were many, many bottles available at Total Wine

[@ChoongAndy]

I like this higher than 43% abv Japanese whisky. I particularly like the Nikka Coffey signature in this blend.

[@nordmadurin]

Hey Geoff. Great rewiev. Thanks. I Always have this bottle on the shelf, so I have something to offer people who I intruduce whisky to for the first time, or if I have to convince them if they say they dont like whisky. Because of the smoothe blend you cant go wrong with this whisky. Its kinda like a Big Mac

[@peathead4450]

Thanks for reviewing, Geoff. Have had this one only as a sample (but twice ... don't know how come) and it's ok, given the price. At least interesting for those who want to try a Japanese whisky (for a change). The video by Mac indeed is recommended. Slàinte mhath / Kanpai.

[@KanpaiPlanet]

Kanpai!

[@Gwhisky]

It seems to divide a lot of people. I legitimately like it, although it's hardly a beacon of depth or complexity. When viewed as an affordable intro to "Japanese" blends, I quite like it. Kanpai Frank! And Mac! 🥃

[@kellywellington7122]

Have you had the opportunity to sample and compare with the Nikka Taketsuru Pure Malt? From an online drinkthrough of Nikka products by Curiosity Public, they specified the distinctions between the Nikka expressions and the Taketsuru Pure Malt sounded the best of the lot. I have not yet sampled any Japanese whisky.

[@Gwhisky]

I've tasted a bunch of Nikkas in a side-by-side, yes. I plan on making a video about it eventually. I do like the Taketsuru, but for me the single malts always steal the show. 🥃

[@simongilbert2704]

have not had for while ,, must try again , but it's only 50cl size .. it's about 43 british pounds ;;

[@MrChristopherMolloy]

When this bottle won Whisky Advocate's WOTY a few years ago I picked up a bottle. I thought it was very good & well-rounded, and then I kinda forgot about it.

[@Gwhisky]

Yeah that sounds about right. Hah. 🥃

[@javieracosta3439]

Yes Christopher, my experience also. I don't know how much reach Whisky Advocate has globally, but once that ranking came out in late 2018 it was very very hard to find a bottle in America. At a decent price at least. Usually can find it now but the price is still rather premium.

[@MrChristopherMolloy]

@@javieracosta3439 Yep.

[@cliffnorman178]

Thanks for the great review. I really like Nikka from the Barrel very much. However I live in South Africa and it costs the equivalent of 50 GBP. So extremely expensive here.

[@Gwhisky]

Oh wow. That's a lot! Not sure I'd pull the trigger at that price tbh! 🥃

[@dicksmith1270]

I remember buying a bottle for R 420.. I was long ago the next bottle eas nearly 800..

[@ronaldtheriot]

I tried this, whisky, once, and I loved it.

[@Gwhisky]

Glad to hear you liked it. It's a divisive one! 🥃

[@OldLugnutz]

I like this whiskey, nice "go to" just for a relaxer. Here in central Massachusetts it's 750ml at $65.00US. Was $62.00 two years ago...

[@Gwhisky]

I didn't even realize it came in 750 ml bottles! 🥃

[@FerNightwalker]

Hi Geoff, excellent review, I agree with your opinions on this whiskey 👌, personally is one of the blends that goes on my perma-shelf (if they don't raise the price), I would like to compare it side by side with the Kirin (from Fuji Sanroku), to see how it goes. Good mention of Kampai planet, its content has been very useful for me. Cheers buddy! 🥃👏

[@KanpaiPlanet]

Kanpai!

[@AlinJapan]

Another homerun from Geoff! For me this is a pleasant daily drinker--great choice of whiskies to review.

[@Gwhisky]

Thanks Alan! Yeah it's a solid casual sipper for sure! 🥃

[@JR-nl3mh]

50 € in Portugal for 0.5 L. The same for JW Green Label in 0.7 L

[@captainamerica1732]

Hints of lavendar LOL I'm actually finishing off my last shot of Nikka right now. The high ABV makes me not give a hoot about small detaisl anymore. 😁😅

[@carlmartinlinder]

A year and a half ago I could buy this in my local supermarket for USD 22 equivalent (2750 JPY)😊

[@KanpaiPlanet]

Those were the days...

[@Gwhisky]

I'm surprised to hear it's gone up for you guys. The price here has stayed mostly the same. 🥃

[@DileepB]

$80 for 750 ml bottle vs $90 for the Single Malt Nikka Yoichi at 45% ABV. I can sometimes find Hibiki Harmony (43% ABV) for $60. Tough choice.

[@Gwhisky]

I tend to gravitate to the single malts, myself. I'll be reviewing a series of Nikka releases in a side-by-side down the line. Cheers! 🥃

[@MY-bd3fo]

I had 2 batches. Both are rough, under matured and bland with water added. The cask influence is very minimal. Glenfarclas 105 offer better value for money. If we talking about blended, Black Bull whisky is way better. For budget Japanese whisky, I prefer Tenjaku blended and pure malt. Both offer richer taste despite the lower ABV.

[@Gwhisky]

Never tried Tenjaku. I'll keep an eye out for it. 🥃

[@peatbull3426]

​@@Gwhisky tenjaku is a cheap blend. £29.99 currently at MoM. People in comment section smashed it up! Can confirm Black Bull by Duncan Taylor is solid stuff. Peated Edition in craft presentation and 50% abv for peat lover for £30 is a bargain. 12yo BB is very good whisky as well for few pounds more. 😁🥂🙋🏻‍♂️

[@MY-bd3fo]

@@peatbull3426 I fully agreed. Black Bull whisky is great especially the 12

[@peatbull3426]

@@MY-bd3fo currently sipping Black Bull Peated Editiin. Very good dram with bit Talisker Nose and bit Machir Bay Taste. I heard a lot of warm words about 12yo so it be my next purchase. Farclas 105 is a fantastic whisky i can even sip with no water added. As you like 105 you must enjoy HP CS batch 2 or 3. Both fantastic. Seen them both for £55 last night. 😁🥂🙋🏻‍♂️

[@dextercool]

I lol'd at the soap dispenser. I gotta say, I really didn't 'get' this whisky in the first 20% of the bottle, felt a bit grainy and hot; but now I'm enjoying it quite a bit - longish finish and a very pleasant 'amalgam' of flavors. A very good value high-quality blend.

[@Gwhisky]

Yeah it's a good one. Big, flavourful, and overall a nice balance. Cheers buddy. 🥃

[@Rohit_M]

It must've been heck of an experiment to put together this blend. I had this 500ml bottle a couple of years ago just before it won WOTY on one of the channels. I thought it was a bit spirity at the time. I got Miyagikyo after watching Mac's review over at KanpaiPlanet. I agree it's young but found Miyagikyo has some decent notes on both the nose and palate and a good relaxed dram. Japanese whiskies have gotten too expensive and I suspect their age stated all Japanese malt and grain offerings are going to be just that much more expensive.

[@Gwhisky]

Yeah on the whole Japanese stuff is too expensive. I do like this one more than you, it seems. Big fan of the Miyagikyo. That bottle keeps growing on me. Recently picked up the Yoichi and the Taketsuru, so hopefully I'll be doing a side-by-side with them soon. Cheers! 🥃

[@Rohit_M]

@@Gwhisky Excellent plan G. I was thinking about Yoichi so it will be interesting to hear your thoughts in side-by-side.

[@GeoffreyBangers]

The million dollar question is, does the soap pump fit over the whisky bottle? Huh? I'm full of great ideas like this. Moving on, have you reviewed Aultmore 12? I think it's a pretty good price point for a naturally presented whisky. I'd love to hear what you think of it.

[@Gwhisky]

New whisky idea: dispose of Glencairns altogether and just squirt the dram into your mouth. Lol. I've looked at Aultmore 12 before. It didn't blow me away, but it's a well made and craft presented whisky with a good character. Good stuff! 🥃

[@ninetyZeven]

Just saw the Kanpai Planet video of this last night, how bout that.

[@Gwhisky]

Well you, sir, have excellent taste in whisky channels. 😉🥃

[@ninetyZeven]

@@Gwhisky 🍹

[@KanpaiPlanet]

@@Gwhisky Agreed!

[@TheReal_DeanD]

For me before the others from Nikka became available this was the best of the bunch but now in may area these Nikka FTB is $78 USD before tax. The others have become more readily available at close to the same price so it’s now been bumped down the priority list.

[@Gwhisky]

This is still a good chunk cheaper in my market than the newer NAS Nikka line, so I come back to it sometimes. But I agree that the other offerings are better. You're lucky they're similarly priced! 🥃

[@varieedeventualii]

I've been having it on and off since about 10 years ago... the batches after 2018 were quite disappointing for me though, dunno, different recipe probably.

[@KrenarKabashi]

age

[@ConcaCon]

This was one of the first Japanese whiskies I've had. My first impression was "huh, okay", but as I went back to it, I started to appreciate it more over time. It doesn't have a lot of moreishness for me, but it is a good whisky for what you're getting and it is worth the 32 EUR I paid even for a half-liter bottle. I have it at a 84/100. I do like Nikka's Coffey Malt/Grain whiskies, very tasty drams.

[@Gwhisky]

Yeah 84 is fair. It seems to have people divided in the comments. Like you I'm not totally impressed, although I do enjoy it a bit more. It's not impressive, but it's nice to have access some decent Nikka whisky on a budget. Cheers! 🥃

[@olivierbeltrami]

The From the Barrel and the 2 “Coffey” editions are the only Japanese I buy nowadays. I refuse to pay more for some NAS Yamazaki, Yoichi, or Taketsuru, than I did 10 years ago for a 15+ year old version of the same. As for all the weird and wonderful new made up Japanese brands that have sprouted over the past decade … no thanks.

[@edwinchs]

For this price there are plenty of option, but for high ABV? Maybe that's the main selling point here?

[@Gwhisky]

Absolutely. The higher abv definitely elevates this whisky. 🥃

[@rares_21]

Hey,man! As a first Japanese whisky, which one do you think is better for a beginner? Thanks!

[@Gwhisky]

I recommend the NAS Miyagikyou. Love it and it's not too expensive! 🥃

[@rares_21]

@Gwhisky , I can find this in my area at about 100euro, which it is a little to much for this...Regarding Craigellachie 13 your review as the whisky of the year made me curious, and glad to discover that is a sublim whisky!🙂👍I wanted recently to buy also the Classic Laddie, but I ordered insted Loch Lomond 18, as I never tried an 18 old whisky, and I felt in this a little more funk...hope it delivers! Good luck!

[@Gwhisky]

@@rares_21 Wow it's literally half that price here in Taiwan. Japanese whisky is tough, because the prices can get pretty crazy, especially in the west. Glad you enjoyed Craigellachie 13. The Classic Laddie is a favourite, although not for everyone. And yes... plenty of funk in LL18! 🥃

[@rares_21]

@Gwhisky ,after a little research, I.ve found Yoichi single malt at same price with Miyagikyo,aprox 90euro...do you think these one worth it as a first Japanese, or should I choose Nikka from the barrel, for honest 45euro?

[@thewhiskyenthusiast]

Lot of fans out there of this one but the price varies so much. In one week I heard from two guys in the same EU country that they found it for 32 and 41 Euros! Nevertheless I enjoy it too, cheers!

[@Gwhisky]

Weird. It's been at a very stable price here for a long time! 🥃

[@MultiVic1982]

My favorite, it has the best money to value ratio.

[@Gwhisky]

It's good! 🥃

[@BIGM-gg9ln]

id say a good benchmark for japanese whiskey.

[@Adrian802]

I remember when I first saw Nikka From the Barrel, the price was around $22.

[@Gwhisky]

Times have changed, eh? 🥲

[@Adrian802]

@@Gwhisky we cracked it open along with a Louis XIII and Macallan Edition no.2

[@jckbquck]

Nikka from the Barrel is around $65 at a brick-and-mortar here in CA. Miyagikyo is around $100. Ichiro Malt & Grain is around $100. Btw, it's pronounced mi-YA-ghi-kyo. Remember "Mr. Miyagi" from "Karate Kid"?

[@troublesome89]

What do you think of Kaiyo Cask Strength Mizunara Oak? I know it's not technically a JP whiskey, but just curious.

[@Gwhisky]

I've never had it, unfortunately. 🥃

[@christophermiller1844]

I used to get Japanese whiskey CHEAP! It was a great value - damn Internet, fucked it all up.

[@lukashavel7690]

So... Are you up for some science? :) My guess is, that Nikka would fail a hydrometer test because of added sugar. I might be wrong, but I also like rums and I tend to recognize them being artificially sweetened. I dont like Nikka because of that strong suspicion, that some "sugar magic" was done to it. It is not the worst dram I ever had. That "prize" would go to another whisky from Japan - Hatozaki Pure Malt. That one went straight to toilette. :/

[@acrystalyric]

That is great with soda. Muji soap.

[@Gwhisky]

😂😂😂

[@johndoh4523]

Actually… I’m a bit disappointed by the quality of NFTB in the last years. It was a go to whisky for me and had wonderful flavors like bergamot and orange. Nowadays it tastes like another young whisky with high ABV.

[@Gwhisky]

I haven't had it in the better part of a decade. It was never a favourite before, and it still isn't, but I do enjoy it. Not something I'll turn to when I'm looking for a lot of depth or complexity, admittedly. 🥃

[@olivierbeltrami]

I have converted many people to Whisky using a bottle of Nikka From The Barrel.

[@Gwhisky]

It's a good conversation starter and a nice accessible flavour profile with some weight thanks to the abv. Totally agree, a great one for sharing! 🥃

[@knightrhee]

Thanks for the evaluation. I'll refer to it for purchase. But isn't the score relatively low compared to your evaluation? I should understand that it means good at that price level, right?

[@Gwhisky]

Yes, I think it's a good buy for the price point. It's not a spectacular whisky, but it tastes good, it's cask strength, and it offers up a quality "Japanese" experience at a fair price. I do like it! 🥃

[@AB-kf8ry]

1:13 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@BanjoSick]

I want all whiskies to come in 500ml! I wanna sample many, I started late and I dislike having 0,7l of a whisky that I don't like, when I buy a bad one here and there.

[@Gwhisky]

Yeah it used to kind of annoy me, but I'm sold on the idea now. 500ml is enough to get to know the whisky, and if it brings down the price of our bottles so we can fit more variety into our budgets, I'm all for it! 🥃

[@peatbull3426]

Im with you 101% even go for half, 35cl bottle at half price then we could try double stuff. If you really love some whisky next time you can buy full bottle. I think this is good option for Distileries because more ppl can try theirs stuff easier spend less money 🤞😁🥂🙋🏻‍♂️

[@davidliston4204]

This is a fantastic ‘drinking’ whisky and comparatively very good value if you shop around. I think Ralfy was far too tough on this and sometimes he lets his puritan ways make him forget the end purpose is to drink and enjoy. Id surely drink this over a glenfiddich 12 which is nice enough. But as a drink IMO NIkka is light years ahead

[@Gwhisky]

While I admit it's not a "great" whisky and it's one that's easy to criticize, like you I just enjoy drinking the stuff. Good flavours here! 🥃

[@xiamengbaby]

Nikka From the Barrel purportedly contains scotch whiskey from the Ben Nevis distillery and so doesn't qualify as a Japanese whiskey under the new guidelines. In the US, this whiskey comes in a similarly designed but more square bottle as it's 750 ml ratger than 500 ml.

[@Gwhisky]

Yeah I mentioned all that in the video. Nice of them to give you guys bigger bottles! 🥃

[@Ausf.D.A.K.]

I love The Empire of Japan !

[@Gwhisky]

🇯🇵🇯🇵🇯🇵

[@Remrcm]

its a 10th choice...the right price should be 5 Pounds-euros

[@captainamerica1732]

@1:12 Me too! LOL😅

[@Balkonwhisky]

I had that one a few years ago and i found a lot of "smoothness" and Sweet Caramel . Not Complex at all and sadly almost no finish. The Bottle would look much better with a real Cork instead of that very cheap looking Screwcap from an old Oil Can. But its a good one for Friends or Guests that are not into Whisky and Malts. Thanks for your Video about it. Greetings from Germany 😎🤘

[@Gwhisky]

Hah seems I like it more than you. Thanks for watching, buddy! 🥃

[@Balkonwhisky]

@@Gwhisky Always like your Vids👍

[@Artificercyrus]

Nikka whiskey from the hood

[@semazz8912]

Ayo?

[@DonnerPassWhisky]

Where I am Miyagikyo is actually a little less than this so I buy it instead. Cheers

[@Gwhisky]

That's very strange... but something to take advantage of! 🥃

[@elduderino3120]

Elusive sense of the word LOL. I never trusted Japanese whiskies for the opaqueness of their production, and revelations that they've *allegedly* just been bottling Scotch justify that position. The recent changes to Japanese whisky production standards/laws reinforces the feeling that many producers have been far from honest in the past. If you don't care about that kind of thing I bet it's a nice drink.

[@Gwhisky]

Well the fact that the law has been amended and the fact that plenty of Japanese blended whiskies now call themselves "world" whiskies is a nice step towards more transparency. Perhaps too little too late for some, but I call it progress. Slow progress, but progress nonetheless. 🥃

[@elduderino3120]

@@Gwhisky Yeah, about time. The sad thing is that the Japanese whisky industry as a whole has been tarnished by this, and I'm left wondering why: (1) desperation - trying to fill orders that producers didn't have enough stock for? or (2) laziness - did some feel that consumers wouldn't be able to tell? It comes across as very disrespectful to the consumer. Lesson learned, hope they all play things straight from now on.

[@janteun3]

its not bad i bought it yesterday its not bad bud olso not speciaal i pay 40 euro in europe look if the bottle is gone i never buy it again bud it olso not a waste of money look vor 1 time why not

[@martinjean6954]

🫦🧠👘

[@rellorellin7544]

Just an average bottle of whiskey. I would not buy it again. There are much better offerings out there.

[@eymerichinquisitore9022]

Nothing special, an experience understandable only if I had a KZbin channel

[@DJMJRyder]

One of the worst whiskies I've ever had, was hot, thin and boring like Johnny walker red

[@maritimeus]

"I buy a lot of stuff from Japan." Yeah, now it's beginning to make sense why your gf was camera shy in your last video. 🤣

[@Gwhisky]

😉🥃