Review: Nikka Sesh

Nikka Session is basically Nikka’s answer to Suntory Ao. In other words, it’s a world whisky and deliberately labeled as such. Let’s try this new blend of malts from Yoichi, Miyagikyo, and Ben Nevis. 

Nikka Whisky bought Scotland’s Ben Nevis Distillery in 1989, though they had been importing whisky from its parent company, James Burrough, for “some years” prior to that. These days it’s pretty open secret that Ben Nevis is a component of many Nikka whiskies. Whether or not they tell you is a different question.

This time around, they are telling us. I hope the move was spurred by a movement towards more transparency in Japanese whisky. Or perhaps it was just inspired by Nikka’s main competitor doing something very similar.

Nikka Session is the company’s first new brand of whisky in six years. Let’s see how it holds up!

Review: Nikka Session

Nose: A rich, colorful basket of fruit with apples, pineapples, pears and blackcurrant, A helping of leafy mint happening as well.

Palate: Those fruits have dried up! We also get peppercorn later on. And healthy serving of woody malt, of course.

Finish: That malt wave brings plenty of bitterness with it. Slightly peaty to finish things off.

Score: A-

Price paid: 3800 yen before tax, 43% abv, 700ml

Overall I found it quite delightful and very easy-going. The nose is plenty of fun, and the palate keeps on asking you to come back for more.