Nikka Yoichi Single Malt Japanese Whisky 750ml

Yoichi was Nikka's first distillery, built in 1934 by Masataka Taketsuru on the coast of Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost island. It still heats its pot stills directly with coal, a method almost nobody uses anymore, and that's part of why the whisky is so robust.

This single malt is a blend of Yoichi casks of different ages, a good share from ex-sherry casks. It's the bold one in the Nikka range: smoke and sea salt, an oily texture, ripe apple and dried fruit. It's bottled at 45%.

If you like peated Scotch from the coast, this is the Japanese malt to try. For the soft, fruity Nikka single malt, choose Miyagikyo.

Drink it neat; water quiets it down more than it helps.

We carry it in the 750ml size. The rest of the range is on our Nikka page. More bottles are under Japanese whisky, and the rest of our whiskey is a click away. Pick it up at our Brooklyn store or get same-day delivery in Brooklyn, Manhattan & Queens.