The Nikka Nine Decades, 48%

The nose has malt, dark chocolate, plum, raisins, roasted spices, and worn leather, with menthol, stacked firewood, and the dying embers of a campfire. It’s intriguing and shows complexity and maturity. Cinnamon, marron glacé, oak, and black cherry, evolving to show wood spices, bitter dark chocolate, bramble, clove, walnuts in syrup, soft licorice, and leather. It’s an incredible whisky, and the fruitiness prevents the dark flavors from ever feeling heavy.