Yoichi 10 Year Old

What it is

A 10 year old single malt from Yoichi, Nikka's Hokkaido distillery, bottled at 45%. Discontinued in 2015 when Nikka ran short of aged stock, and reintroduced in 2022 as a limited annual release of around 9,000 bottles a year. The return also marked ten buildings at the Yoichi site being designated Important Cultural Properties of Japan in February 2022.

Where it comes from

Nikka publishes compliance status per product, and Yoichi single malt carries the statement that it meets all the criteria of Japanese whisky as defined by the Japan Spirits and Liqueurs Makers Association. Distilled, matured and bottled in Japan, no imported component. Nikka openly flags several of its blends as failing the same test, which is what makes the positive statement worth something.

How it's made

Yoichi is one of the last distilleries anywhere still using direct coal-fired pot stills, hand stoked, which produces a heavier and oilier spirit than steam heating. It also runs wooden washbacks, worm tub condensers and its own yeast strain. Masataka Taketsuru chose the site in 1934 because the cold, damp coast of Hokkaido was the closest thing in Japan to Scotland. One change worth knowing: the 2022 onward release is chill filtered, where the pre-2015 version was not.

What to expect

Softer than the reputation suggests. Apple and banana sweetness, butter biscuit, yuzu and a light sooty smoke sitting well back. Reviewers who had the old version generally rate it good but slightly more restrained.

How it compares

Against the no age statement Yoichi Single Malt, the 10 is more refined and considerably harder to find. Against the discontinued 12 and 15, those were smokier and heavier, and they only exist on the secondary market now. Against Miyagikyo, its sibling, this is the heavy one.