Nikka Pure Malt Black

Nikka Pure Malt Black
Whisky Nikka Pure Malt Black
Country Japan
Type Blend
Abv 43%
Rating 81/100
Reviews of Nikka Pure Malt Black
says on April 2, 2020
Would you buy this again? No
Rating: 85/100
Finish strength: Short
Color: Gin clear

General description

A very moreish affair. Both when I first tried this and later on I found it to be delicious…

However, if this whisky doesn’t have E150 in it I’ll be surprised. From my most recent of three encounters with this whisky I found the notes of caramel just far to overt for my liking.

It’s well blended and still moreish, but honestly the more I try Japanese whisky the more I dislike them for being overpriced due to the west’s perception that anything Japanese was made with their traditional singleminded pursuit of perfection. They also have terrible regulations and weird characters that I admit might be someone else’s liking so I can’t fault them purely on that subjective truth.

Anyway… still good, but just no longer great in my mind

says on May 29, 2019
Would you buy this again? Yes
Rating: 84/100
Finish strength: Medium
Color: Chestnutoloroso sherry

General description

This blended malt made up of whisky from Nikka's Yoichi and Miyagikyo distilleries. This one is very interesting and quite complex, very well balanced with all obvious elements of smoke, peat, spices and vanilla all working together perfectly. However, with a very interesting flavor, palate and finish slightly inferior. But still good, warm and attractive...
N-23, P-20, F-20, B-21.

Nose

Wild flowers, spicy, vanilla, faint smoky, walnuts…

Palate

Vanilla, peaty, salty, pepper, ginger, slightly fruits…

Finish

Cocoa, smoky, liquorice, spicy…

says on April 21, 2019
Would you buy this again? Yes
Rating: 82/100
Finish strength: Very long
Color: Old gold

General description

Very special flavours for such a traditional style of whisky. A malty base with the slightest hint of peat smoke. Some sour fruit notes and wood spice as well. It finishes in an intense bitter with some cinnamon spice

says on February 23, 2019
Would you buy this again? Yes
Rating: 81/100
Color: Gin clear

General description

Vraiment sympa ce japonais tourbé.

says on February 20, 2019
Would you buy this again? Yes
Rating: 90/100
Color: Russetmuscat

General description

Très bon

says on November 23, 2018
Would you buy this again? No
Rating: 82/100
Color: Gin clear

General description

bees wax, sweet, friut, charcoal smoke, very smooth

says on November 20, 2018
Would you buy this again? Yes
Rating: 88/100
Color: Chestnutoloroso sherry

General description

Gentle sweet smoke. Very good

says on November 9, 2018
Would you buy this again? Yes
Rating: 85/100
Finish strength: Medium
Color: Pale gold

General description

zoet en rokerig

Nose

rokerig

Palate

zoet

Finish

rokerig

says on October 25, 2018
Would you buy this again? Yes
Rating: 82/100
Color: Amontillado sherry

General description

another reliable nikka

says on October 9, 2018
Would you buy this again? Yes
Rating: 80/100
Color: Pale gold

General description

Kiváló japán whisky

says on August 5, 2018
Would you buy this again? No
Rating: 100/100
Color: Gin clear

General description

Time for my 3d Japanese dram. The 43% NAS Nikka pure malt black.

First nosing was very nice and mellow. I didn't get a lot of the promised peat and smoke, but instead a sweet fruity vanilla with some roasted almond and a bit of salt. In the end it turned almost soapy fresh.

The palate was a totally different story. Very, very harsh at first with a soft coffee and vanilla in the back.
I usually don't add water to a dram, but I read that this one really could use a few added drops.
I now can say that that advise was worth taking.
All the harshnes was miraculously gone just with 2 added drops.
I never ever had that strong experience with just 2 drops.

The medium finish at last did show some smoke. Besides that it just was plain peppery and dry. Not very satisfying there.

The disappointing finish and the initial harshnes at the palate prevented this one from beeing a really good dram.
But the miraculous chemistry after 2 added drops made this one a nice and respectable 76 points dram.

says on July 21, 2018
Would you buy this again? Yes
Rating: 81/100
Color: Amontillado sherry

General description

lichte turf met scherp gevoel in de mond

says on February 18, 2018
Would you buy this again? Yes
Rating: 82/100
Color: Gin clear

General description

this eased me into peated whiskies

says on February 17, 2018
Would you buy this again? No
Rating: 86/100
Color: Gin clear

General description

tasainen setti.

says on December 14, 2017
Would you buy this again? Yes
Rating: 85/100
Color: Chestnutoloroso sherry

General description

Complex flavor full of smoked peaches and fruits. Smooth finish

says on May 13, 2017
Would you buy this again? Yes
Rating: 83/100
Color: Gin clear

General description

mild smoke, peachy nose

Nose

peach, smoke

Palate

smoke

says on May 5, 2017
Would you buy this again? No
Rating: 70/100
Color: Gin clear

General description

lighty peated, delicate. good stuff. too expesive

says on February 25, 2017
Would you buy this again? Yes
Rating: 87/100
Color: Old gold

General description

a very nice "middle ground" whisky.. light smoke and peat.. some sherry notes.. vanilla.. fruits... and coffee.. finish is quite long... you'd get some lingering smoke and peat.. I like it quite a bit

says on July 12, 2016
Would you buy this again? No
Rating: 81/100
Finish strength: Medium
Color: Burnished

General description

Overall a nice whisky, but the perfumy candy sweetness is Just too much for me.

Nose

perfumed nuts, fresh flowers, peach and corny sweetness. Wet pine wood and a whiff of smoke.

Palate

very sweet, with notes of vanilla, violets, roasted cashews and salted mushrooms. Like eating Hubba Bubba gum and Danish licorice simultaneously.

Finish

Short to medium, with light smoke, maple syrup and nutmeg.

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Flavour profile

  • Peat
  • Spice
  • Honey
  • Fruit
  • Sweet
  • Salt
  • Oak
  • Malt
  • Coffee
  • Juicy
  • Good
  • Full body
  • Delicate
  • Strong
  • Smooth
  • Smoky
  • Smoke
  • Short finish
  • Sherry
  • Pepper
  • Oily
  • Melon
  • Medium finish
  • Light smoke
  • Great
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