Nikka Yoichi Discovery Aromatic Yeast Japanese Whisky – 70cl
The second volume of Nikka's remarkable Discovery Series — and the one that many enthusiasts consider the most intellectually fascinating of the series so far — the 2022 Yoichi Aromatic Yeast release turns its lens on one of whisky production's most overlooked and least understood variables: yeast. While cask type, distillation method, and maturation climate tend to dominate the conversation around what shapes a whisky's flavour, Nikka's blenders have long understood that the yeast strain used in fermentation is equally powerful — and in many ways even more transformative — in determining the aromatic character of the final spirit. For this second Discovery release, the team drew on Nikka's vast proprietary culture collection of yeast strains to select a rare, experimental aromatic yeast capable of generating a fermentation character reminiscent of the finest daiginjo sake — that most refined and aromatic style of Japanese rice wine, where yeast-driven floral and fruity esters are elevated to an art form.
Applied to Yoichi's characteristically peated malt and fermented at low temperature to maximise ester production, the result is a single malt of genuinely surprising duality: the recognisable coal-fire smokiness and coastal character of Yoichi still present, yet elevated and transformed by a vivid floral and fruity dimension that feels almost impossibly light and sake-like by comparison. Non-chill filtered, bottled at 48% ABV, and limited to just 20,000 bottles globally — a whisky of rare experimental distinction.
TASTING NOTES
NOSE
Fine and distinguished — herbaceous, salty peat and coal fire notes dominate on first pour, then open beautifully into apple, pear, Canary melon, lily, carnation, and mint, becoming increasingly creamy and exotic with coconut, pineapple, and yellow kiwi — a daiginjo sake-like florality weaving through Yoichi's signature smoke.
PALATE
Savoury and complex with a lovely milky sweetness — smoky honey, mushroom, ginger, fresh honeydew, banana, and light bubblegum esters sitting alongside smoked cheese, vinous earthiness, and the umami-rich depth that makes this expression unlike any other Yoichi ever released.
FINISH
Long and crisp — white grape, mirabelle plum, and liquorice fade into a fine layer of evanescent peat smoke with wisps of translucent smoke rising from the empty glass — elegant, surprising, and deeply memorable.
ABV: 48% ABV