Nikka Tailored Premium Blended Japanese Whisky (700ml)

'Tailored' is the long-awaited replacement for the stellar but now discontinued Nikka 12 year old which retailed for around $300. Released in 2019 with a similar presentation, the age statement is gone, but reports suggest the quality is not far off - plus you get it for considerably less. Judging by the taste, some have said they'd be surprised if the average age is much less than 12 years. The likely reason for dropping the age statement is that it gives Nikka more flexibility to focus on maintaining a steady profile and consistent availability. Like its predecessor, the aim of Tailored is to create a malt-heavy assemblage that honours all that's great about Japanese blends, deftly balancing pot still whiskies from Miyagikyo (light & elegant) and Yoichi (peaty and more robust) with a judicious splash of Nikka's award winning sweet Coffey grain. Nikka note on their website that this doesn't qualify as a 100% Japanese whisky, so it's almost guaranteed there's some Ben Nevis in the mix too - no bad thing. The malts were aged in Sherry barrels and finally bottled at 43% for a little extra depth. If you've enjoyed premium blends like Hibiki Master's Select, try this on a whim and you won't be disappointed. At the very least, the sculpted decanter with its huge wooden stopper will premiumnise your bar shelf.

Other reviews... This was on course for super stardom... then that finish happened. The odd cask here with a sulphurous taint. Clean wine casks and this might have been on course for a very major award. 88.5 points - Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2022