This blended whisky was created as a memorial to Rita, a liquid love letter if you will, from the founder of Nikka to his Scottish wife Rita. In 2020 Nikka are celebrating 100 years since Rita and Taketsuru were married.
Nose: Rich honeycomb, aromatic spices, buttery french toast, chocolate, orange, hints of sweet smoke, leather, toffee & baked banana.
Palate: Sweet and spicy delivery with plenty of smoked Yoichi malt showing. Juicy sultana, rum & raisin fudge, crunchie bars, orange bitters, ripe figs in honey and all wrapped in a blanket of aromatic smoke.
Finish: Salty orange, rich sherry soaked dried fruit, singed waxy fruit, vanillin oak and that classic yoichi sooty smoke note. A blend with real depth, richness and more importantly for this blend, sweet smoke.
93 points Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible
World Whiskies Awards 2018- Best Japanese Blended (No Age Statement)