Tasting the World's Best Blended Malt | Nikka Taketsuru REVIEW

[@Themilkmanskid.]

Love Taketsuru because you can taste the malted barley distillate flavor and it comes through very nicely! Miyagikyo and Yoichi, same thing. No noticeable bourbon flavored cask coming through in any of these, which is perfect. Love the fruit and sulphur notes in the Miyagikyo, and the peat that comes through in the Yoichi. Still drinking these since discovering them, about 3 years now. Very consistent flavor throughout.

[@sunryse111]

This is one I bought some while ago, Geoff. Haven't opened it yet. I think tonight may be the night!!!

[@Gwhisky]

Well I didn't give it the most glowing endorsement, but it's definitely a solid enjoyable bottle. Enjoy, Victor! 🥃

[@JeffWhisky]

I got Nikka Taketsuru Pure Malt with a black label which I picked up for around £35 in the UK on clearance, be interesting to see how they differ. Love how while the score can be the same across multiple bottles but it is the context that really adds to the review. Great video as always mate and Patience is a great background track ;)

[@Gwhisky]

Damn buddy £35 is a great price for that one! Mac over at Kanpai Planet has done a comparison between old and new, I believe. Worth checking out! And yes... context is a big thing! Btw... congrats on reaching 1k. Well deserved! Keep 'em coming! 🥃

[@GlenLossie]

I rarely buy single malts at airport duty free because I find them to be more expensive than at home in my part of Canada. However, last year when passing through Tokyo airport, I came across a special bottling of the Yoichi and Miyagikyo that was prominently displayed. They were both bottled at 48% abv compared to the usual 45%. Never having had either of them I bought one of each and now they are my first purchase of Japanese whisky.

[@balintpernecker624]

Your jokes always make me smile. :) Thanks and keep up the good work. BTW, I would love to see a Nikka comparison video.

[@Gwhisky]

Very kind words, Bálint. I will have a Nikka side-by-side soon! 🥃

[@allanwhittle3041]

As usual Good review G I know bugger all about Japanese whiskey , tried very few , so interesting stuff 👍 Channel numbers are creeping up 👍and they deserve too .. Top content !🥃

[@Gwhisky]

Yeah I tend to avoid a lot of Japanese because the price/value often isn't great. Still worth exploring if you get the chance (for a fair price). Yeah, slow but steady growth over here. Road to 10k! Appreciate all the positive and encouraging comments from you, Allan! Cheers to you, sir. 🥃

[@peterruffolo700]

Tried the Taketsuru back in 2016 and found it to be just "ok", no offensive notes but nothing that wowed me either. Picked up bottles of Yoichi and Miyagikyo a few months back, but haven't opened them yet. I'd love to see a side by side review of those two. Thanks for another honest and fun review Geoff!

[@Gwhisky]

A Nikka side-by=side is in the works. Cheers Peter! 🥃

[@peterruffolo700]

@@Gwhisky Thanks Geoff, you absolutely rock!!! Cheers 🥃

[@hansvaneenennaam457]

Nice piece of art, nicely done Mr. Geoff

[@Gwhisky]

Thank you, sir! 🥃

[@skyless7304]

BRILLIANT video, super helpful! 😊

[@Gwhisky]

Glad you think so!🥃

[@allenbt11]

In my market its US$75 and pretty readily available. That's not cheap, but its not crazy expensive either. But you are right. The Yoichi is about US$12-15 more and the Coffey Malt is US$10-15 less. Cheers.

[@Gwhisky]

I think the Yoichi (and Miyagikyou) are worth the price bump. Big step up in quality and character imo. Cheers Allan! 🥃

[@DonnerPassWhisky]

Yes would like to see a side by side tasting with all three. I like the Yoichi and Miyagiko but haven't had the Taketsuru as have hesitated since it's 43% and the singles are 45% so was going to make my own blend at some point. Cheers

[@Gwhisky]

Love the single malts. Making your own blend is probably the best way to go. Cheers buddy! 🥃

[@MichaelC-qy4my]

TY Geoff, I was contemplating buying it, and indeed the price between the blend and each of the malt ..is a mere 10$ in Montréal… so I purchased the two malts separately. Yes, I’m enjoying them both separately… or blended. Thanks

[@Gwhisky]

I think you made the right choice, Michael. Hope you enjoy! 🥃

[@WhiskyNeighbour]

Excellent review. I feel I could agree with the "Whisky should tell a story". What ever that means. Apprecite the walk through though and keep up the content. Cheers!

[@Gwhisky]

Thanks buddy. Likewise! 🥃

[@trevorbrown389]

Another good review Geoff. I have a half opened bottle that I’m currently struggling to get through. And not that there’s anything off putting but it’s just an unremarkable whisky imo.

[@Gwhisky]

I don't think I'll struggle with mine as I do like it. But I agree... solid, but unremarkable. Thanks for watching, Trevor. Appreciate the kind words. 🥃

[@TheReal_DeanD]

For me I voted for the Nikka Taketsuru for the OSWAs based on memory. I got the black label Nikka Taketsuru for $61 years ago and it was so good. Could give it to a beginner or experienced drinker and they would find something enjoyable with it. If I can find it for $60 or a little more I may give it a go again.

[@Gwhisky]

That's fair enough. Especially for the price you paid! 🥃

[@garrynarmstrong6790]

Thanks for the review! Just arrived in South Korea and can’t believe how expensive the Japanese whiskies are duty free. The limited release diageo stuff was 30% off so picked that up instead. Was around $100USD/bottle

[@Gwhisky]

Not bad for the Diageo stuff. Yeah Japanese stuff is pricey everywhere, unfortunately. Enjoy your trip! 🥃

[@thewhiskyenthusiast]

Good one Geoff, I agree with everything you say on this. It is a pleasing whisky but that's about it. I loved the Yoichi bourbon wood finish at 46% abv it was just velvet. Cheers 🥃

[@Gwhisky]

Haven't tried any of the fancy finished stuff, but the standard Yoichi is good. I actually prefer the Miyagikyou. No idea why they're so close in price to this. Cheers buddy! 🥃

[@andrewbutler7681]

They do say "your mileage may vary": I like Taketsuru a lot more than Milk & Honey and it cost me about £15 less for a bottle...

[@Gwhisky]

Weird, but I guess not that surprising. The price of Japanese whisky is all over the place. Apparently Israel isn't far behind. 🥃

[@81mysharona]

Thanks so much for this review. It just so happens I’ve been considering buying a bottle of Taketsuru here in SoCal for the (relatively) low price of $75. Normally it’s $80-$100. The Miyagikyo is $85-$120, and Yoichi is $90-130. And then I recently saw the Taketsuru was awarded best blended malt this year and I thought it was a done deal. Seeing your review here has given me second thoughts. Like you said, for $10 or $15 bucks more, I could get either of the single malt expressions. My question is, then, which one would you recommend? I have had none of these three malts. The only Japanese whiskies I’ve had are Hibiki Harmony (NAS) and Iwai 45. (Iwai was very disappointing.) Harmony was fine, very delicate, good but didn’t blow my socks off. It is also $75-80. That also happens to be the price ($75) for a bottle of Lagavulin 16 right now. So if I’m gonna plunk down some money for a Japanese whisky, I wanna know if it will please me as much as a Laga 16. Or else it doesn’t seem worth it, does it? Your thoughts?

[@Gwhisky]

Well these two whiskies are super different from Laga 16, so hard to compare. If you want a recommendation, the Miyagikyou sounds like the best deal of the lot. I personally prefer it to the Yoichi, but that depends on preference. The Miyagikyou is more floral and "accessible", while the Yoichi has a punchier peatier character. 🥃

[@laurentsteck6086]

I just bought this whisky (for no reason actually, just to try it out). I'm pleased that it won an award. I have the 17 and the 21 as well. I didn't taste it yet. So much good stuff I have to go through, I can't drink so much 😅. Cheers

[@Gwhisky]

The 17 and 21 are pricey these days. Good think you have those. Never tried the 21, but I always enjoyed the 17. Cheers! 🥃

[@olivierbeltrami]

Love the self-deprecating tone.

[@pugamusmaximus]

There’s a ton of dusty old and Nikkas… at my local hole in the wall at really low prices. There’s a couple single malts there but I don’t know anything about the malts what should I look out for?

[@Gwhisky]

Any old dusty with an age statement! 🥃

[@ashersspicekitchen5965]

Guarantee M&H bought that award

[@GlenLossie]

Maybe the judges were afraid of being accused of being anti-something or the other had thay not chosen it.

[@barokluit]

Last week, I paid $99 for Miyagikyo in Freeport, Maine.

[@ConnahJay]

I'd love to see a Nikka side by side, the Nikka Miyagikyo is available in Oregon right now... Is it worth buying for $100?

[@Gwhisky]

That's a bit much. It's only about USD $70 here, which is a good price. I love it, but $100 is pushing it. Hard to say....

[@kirbycalgary2844]

I am drinking the. Nikka takesuru it’s beautiful. I am also drinking Bunnah 12 tonight

[@Balkonwhisky]

Hello Geoff, I would like to see more Asian-Whiskys reviewed by you. Very interesting. Thanks for sharing your Opinion about this Bottling. Greetings from Germany 😎🤘

[@watkinch]

a 3x way review would be awesome

[@FABiOTiS]

As a pretentious whiskey drinker, I know exactly what you meant. I dig the Yoichi for the same reason I like Caol Ila, but never tried the Miyagikyo. Definitely curious to hear your thoughts on both in a comparison. 🥃 cheers!

[@Gwhisky]

Noted! I'll definitely be covering the NIkka line. Perhaps more Kavalans eventually, too. Cheers! 🥃

[@kevinnordby4808]

Why would Nikka put this out at 43% ABV??? Their single malts are both 45% and the Nikka Frim the Barrel is a generous 51.4% and very tasty (and cheaper in my market). I really like the Yoichi for clean peat with fruit. One of my favorites! I’m not as impressed with the Miyagikyo….oh yeah, great review as always Geoff. 👍

[@Gwhisky]

Hah funny I'm more of a Miyagikyou man myself, but either Yoichi or Miyagikyou are a big step up from this stuff at USD $10-20 more. This stuff is good, but if it's a lower abv blend then it ought to be much cheaper imo. Cheers Kevin! 🥃

[@supervillan326]

Someone recently bought me a Nikka from the Barrel, which the Whisky community have been raving about. Must admit that I was underwhelmed and couldn’t understand the online furore. Would others say NftB is representative of the Nikka house style?

[@Gwhisky]

I like the FtB, but it's not great. I think it's been a bit overhyped myself, although I like it. Nikka doesn't really have a "house style", as they're the corporate owner of a few distilleries. But if you want a recommendation, I'd say their Japanese single malts are the way to go. I'm a huge fan of Miyagikyou. 🥃

[@supervillan326]

@@Gwhisky thanks Geoff. I’ll take your advice. 👍🙂

[@kirbycalgary2844]

I paid the same price for the Yoshi I did the takasuru 68 Canadian

[@peathead4450]

Thanks for leaving out any form of integrity, Geoff. Makes it all themore clear. Nope, not tried this one .. and will not. But please let that not stop others from trying itthemselves. Slàinte mhath / Kanpai.

[@Gwhisky]

You can't leave out what you never had in the first place, Frank. 😉 Cheers buddy! 🥃

[@TechnovikingRS]

My first Whisky....and the start of my journey 😀🎉

[@Gwhisky]

Ah, then it's a special bottle for you. It's a great place to start, actually! 🥃

[@TechnovikingRS]

@@Gwhisky I think so, Regards Mr.G

[@lightplays2181]

Konichiva Geoff san ))) Some Japanese release is very good , i like Ichiro MWR , Nikka from the barrel , Kurayoshi 12 . Kanpai !

[@Gwhisky]

Oh those are good choices, buddy. Cheers! 🥃

[@deeshmond]

Do you have some favourite blends you’d recommend, G? I can’t say I’ve ever had one that’s tickled my fancy!

[@Gwhisky]

If you can get your hands on Timorous Beastie 12 Cask Strength it's a belter of a whisky at a very fair price! 🥃

[@carlmartinlinder]

A solid competitor to J.W. Green Label. A bit better I think. Definitely more Miyagikyo than Yoichi on the palate. In Japan there is. 10 USD difference between Miyagikyo and Yoichi. Taketsuru has lately gone up a lot and is about 20 USD more than Yoichi. It is now about 80 USD here. Not worth the money!

[@Gwhisky]

Absolutely absurd that the blended malt with the weak specs (that isn't as good) is more expensive. I remember it being cheaper! 🥃

[@xiamengbaby]

That blend is 80 bucks in the Chicagoland area. The two single malts run about $100 each. Any of them worth it at those prices?

[@Gwhisky]

That's pushing it, but imo they're worth the extra $20 over the Taketsuru. Still pricey, though. 🥃

[@jasoncoates1835]

Actually, in my part of the US the single malts are about $10 more than the Taketsuru too. I have a bottle of the older black label open, maybe a 2019ish bottling. It's quite good IMHO, ~85 is a fair score. It's definitely not the best blended malt in the world. Orchard House has a bit more on offer at a little more than half the price, for example.

[@Gwhisky]

I've got an Orchard House on the go myself. Count yourself lucky, though. Here in Taiwan it's roughly the same price as this!

[@jasoncoates1835]

@@Gwhisky Yeah, it's so hard to judge value on things across markets. In my part of the US the Nikka is 80 and the Orchard House came in at $42.

[@edwinchs]

I say it one last time, it has to be Johnnie Worker

[@xiamengbaby]

Not the aged version, but the "olded" one. 😂

[@tristanm9355]

Quick question for you. I ended up getting a bottle of the suntory yamazaki 18 limited edition. How much would you personally pay for it? I got it for 500 canadian and I'm conflicted in if I should try and get 4-5 grand for it or should I drink it.... such a hard choice.

[@Gwhisky]

Is that from the deal they had a Narita airport a while back? Amazing price for those! I'm no flipper, but personally I'd sell it. Amazing whisky, but the markup is too crazy to pass up. 🥃

[@tristanm9355]

@@Gwhisky not sure which airport it was actually from, my friend picked it up for me when she traveled to Japan. I think I am gonna drink it though. I will never be able to afford a 4 grand bottle so why not now.

[@daninthepan]

The Taketsuru is way harder to find here in Japan than the Miyagikyo and Yoichi. When I finally did track it down at a reasonable price ($20 more than a Miyagikyo), I think I was in tears when I realised how overpriced it was. Miyagikyo or Yoichi any day of the week.

[@Gwhisky]

Oh wow! I remember it being cheaper, but apparently it isn't in Japan. No question the single malts are the way to go. Who's buying the blend for MORE than the fantastic single malts over there? Crazy...

[@gordonhall9943]

Agree with you. I have the Yoichi and Taketsuru. I like Yoichi better. Taketsuru is not memorable. :P There are more interesting and value Scotch out there.

[@alehhandro1]

Agree with you - too expensive. Wish I didn’t pay US $90+ for my bottle! Tastes pretty bland for that kind of money.

[@deeshmond]

I never pay attention to whisky awards like this. Just use the OSWAs to give me a good idea of whiskies to try

[@Gwhisky]

Nice! 🥃

[@simongilbert2704]

i agree ,, can't see me buying that , --- old perth cask strength sherry bomb 42 british pounds , thats more like it ;;;

[@robertbignell6527]

Good Marketing will describe great flavours! However value for money makes me think that Aged and Japanese Malt Whiskies will not double my pleasure of drinking malt whiskies on a budget.

[@yokosomike]

This is a limited quantity bottle and will probably go up in price.

[@bennyfriis601]

I have no interest in this Nikka expression, whatsoever. But I'm a sucker for the lack of integrity on this channel... so I have to watch anyways, of course. Thanks, Geoff!

[@Gwhisky]

Hah thanks for watching, Benny. Cheers buddy! 🥃

[@troublesome89]

I tried Nikka 17 and 21. Both are good whiskeys. However, considering the current price, these are terrible whiskeys!