Yoichi 10 Year is no longer available, but I figured it’s worth reviewing for the same reason dusties and single barrels are. Bottles are still floating around, the secondary market is thriving and… it’s fun. Honestly though it’s mostly about that last one.
In Yoichi’s Words: Yoichi 10 Year
“Of Nikka’s two malt whisky distilleries, Yoichi produces rich, peaty and masculine malt. The whisky gets its distinct aroma and body from direct heating distillation, in which the pot stills are heated with finely powdered natural coal–the traditional method that is hardly ever used today, even in Scotland.”
As you can see by the image I don’t miss the Yoichi 10 Year too much. I drank plenty of it when it was available and never really cared too much about it. I never bought a bottle and I didn’t rush out to stock up on it when they announced it was going away. It just wasn’t my thing.
Yoichi 10 Year Info
Region: Japan
Distiller: Nikka
Mashbill: 100% Malted Barley
Cask:
Age: 10 Years
ABV: 45%
Price: NA – Auction, Specialty Store or Private Seller
Yoichi 10 Year Review
EYE
Amber
NOSE
Grassy malt, brittle, dried apricots, pie crust, sour cherries, candy sweetness and light spice and phenolic char. Overall has a muted ashy essence to it.
PALATE
Grassy malt, peat, cocoa, ash, orchard fruit and bits of nutmeg, brittle and orange peel. Like the aroma it tastes like there’s a light blanket of ash over the whole thing.
FINISH
Long and ashy with bits of smoke, fruit, sweet malt and spice
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Ok balance, medium body and a light watery feel.
OVERALL
My biggest problem with the Yoichi 10 Year is the ash that blankets the nose, palate and finish. It’s like this whisky was near to a volcanic eruption and picked up a layer of ash that’s muted everything else it holds. Under the layers of ash the nose is nice with a bit of fruit and earthier malt playing off of each other. The Palate follows suite but has some peat showing up to the party – the finish is nearly all ash.
It’s a shame this is such an ashy whisky… well… actually… not really. The Yoichi 10 Year was discontinued and so it’s not exactly hanging out on shelves. It is showing up on the secondary market where you can find it going for as much as $200; though I wouldn’t even pay 1/4 of that for a bottle – but that’s my tastes. Obviously some people out there feel otherwise and they’re welcome to it 
SCORE: 83/100 (B)
