Just ran across this whiskey by chance. I bought a bottle, tried it, and went back and wiped out the store. I only got a total of 4 bottles, but wow... this stuff is amazing. It, oddly enough, made me think back to when I was much younger. It's exactly what I thought scotch would taste like. Imagine my disappointment when my first scotch experience was Chivas Regal. Anyhoo... this is one of my absolute favorite whiskies now. I find myself having to redirect myself from the bottle, so I don't wipe out my stash. It's been like hen's teeth around these parts. Excellent review. I wish my palate was as refined as yours - so I could appreciate this whiskey even more.
I watched your live stream recently on this whisky and ran out to buy a bottle in the middle of it. I have yet to open it, but I will do so while I watch this a second time. The internet provides for a weird time warp quality to life's experiences, but I am more than grateful to have this review and your live stream at hand when I crack my personal bottle of this whisky open for the first time. Cheers!
Shingo Suzuki wow, not only is that a great retail price but the whisky is becoming more rare in the USA so prices are going up on the secondary market.
@@shingo_ring Going to Japan in April to "resupply". How are the availability at the moment? Ladies gave me a list longer than Santa's wish list sigh...
You can find them on the shelves but mostly Non Age. FIY, I myself bought Yamazaki and Hakushu 's NAS mini bottles at a Seven Eleven shop lately. Chita is gone. They stopped shipping it.
Thanks for the video Erik! Enjoyed your take on it and I really appreciate the barrel type info. I tried to look into the kinds myself when I did my video review but couldn't find any good source about it. Cheers my friend!! 🥃
Well 7 months later after I found this video I was able to get a bottle of the Nikka From The Barrel. Erik’s findings mirror what I’m tasting. This is one of the best Japanese Whiskys I’ve had. It has a longer finish than the Hakushu 12 year. Glad I was able to get it for $90.
Sounds great Erik, Total Wine lists it for $65 but of course its not available. Only Japanese Whiskey I've had so far is the Nikka Coffey Malt which I enjoy so will keep a lookout for this. Interesting bottle looks like something you would see on the shelf of a auto parts or janitorial supply store ! Cheers
I find it quite annoying when I am searching for a whisky (or wine) and the Google search indicates that Total & Wine has it in stock BUT when I click the link the web site says it is not available. They do that in order to then suggest another whisky which they hope you will buy.
Thanks for watching! Good to hear that the hype of the press has't raised the price in your area. I've heard from some people that they can't find it. It sells for $90 here.
I just acquired a bottle for $60.00 dollars locally on the west coast. Great value, it is delicious. Second only to the Nikka Coffey malt, which is my favorite Japanese whisky currently. I like the background music choice.
I have found a few gems at Costco. I bought 2 bottles of the Hibiki 30th Anniversary at Costco for $60 each. I also bought two bottles of the 2015 Yao Ming Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley for $65 each. They sell for $95 at the winery!
Nice review Erik. I picked up a bottle long before Whiskey Advocate named it WOTY and it was $58 Cad (2018 bottle). Not sure I agree with WA on this selection. Would like to try a sample from the bottle Nikka submitted to WA though. Cheers
Thanks for the comments. I find that people often have a hate or love for Japanese whiskies in general. Those who say "meh" tend not to agree with what they consider to be hype about the whiskies. But, for me, as one who LOVES Japanese architecture, gardening, painting etc. I find the good ones to be very reflective of their cultural origin.
@@ErikWaitWhiskyStudies I don't have a love or a hate for Japanese Whisky. My opinion of NFTB or any Whisky is based solely on my experience in drinking it. There was no hype on this bottle when I picked it up.
I don't know, I have had the Hakushu 12 but not the Yamazaki 12. The Yamazaki 12 goes for $120 - $200 US which is a lot more money than what I paid for the Nikka From The Barrel.
@@ErikWaitWhiskyStudies Hello kind sir. Thanks for replying back. I'm going to see if I can get Nikka From The Barrel. Yamazaki 12 by me is $130 USD and if I can find the Nikka at $90 it is a savings.
Hi Erik, lovely review once more. I will be eyeing to get this bottle soon for around USD 90. However I recently bought the Nikka Coffey Malt, and i find it too bitter for me at the end. May i know if these two expressions are similar to one another? Cheers
Graceful Towels I’ve not reviewed the Nikka Coffey Malt so I can’t make a comparison. But, I do know they are made in a different manner. The From The Barrel is made from blending over 100 barrels to achieve the profile. So it represents the mastery of Japanese blending techniques. I may review the Coffey Malt in the future.
I’m a little sad that this won Whisky of the Year. I was finding this gem pretty easily as of a few months ago normally for around $65. Now it’s going to be very hard to find and probably at higher prices.
The fame has its pros and cons. Some people would never try it unless it had a good write up in the media but it also increases scarcity and drives prices up.
Erik Wait I love that this is getting the recognition it deserves but I also know individuals who will buy cases of popular whisky to then resell on the secondary market. This one was already gaining a good reputation before the award and now it’s going to be very hard to find.
Don Nishita agree 💯. As far as I know, this wasn’t even available for sale in the U.S. until earlier this year and so it was already hard to get. I noticed the frenzy of its newness had finally started to die down & it wasn’t selling out the instant it hit shelves anymore...just to have WA proclaim it whisky of the year. 🤦🏻♂️
@@ErikWaitWhiskyStudies It's all but completely disappeared in the united states except for the 500% above list price gougers!!.. If someone knows where to buy at realistic pricing please email me at gman4405@gmail.com. Thank you much!..........cheers!
Back in May 2018 when I saw 2 bottles in Tokyo, I bought it without even thinking it over and I did not regret it. I brought it to a friend's place to taste and they were shocked how good it was and how "much" I paid for. It cost me around $20 per bottle ( I ain't joking).
WooooooW! You're opening is classical Chinese theater music, you're wearing a "dragon" t-shirt. Also Chinese. All of this while taking about about a JAPANESE Whisky. Wow, just wow!
and I am wearing Belgian underwear while speaking American English. I like to mix it up a bit. If the music is Japanese then blame Epidemic Sound. I subscribe to a copyright-free music service and when I typed in "Japanese Music" this music was one of the options. Also, when I searched for "Japanese Icon" in men's clothing on Amazon this shirt showed up.
Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to my channel and LIKE this video! Interested in learning about wine? Check out "Erik Wait's Wine Studies" TH-cam Channel: th-cam.com/users/CAWineAdventures
Just ran across this whiskey by chance. I bought a bottle, tried it, and went back and wiped out the store. I only got a total of 4 bottles, but wow... this stuff is amazing. It, oddly enough, made me think back to when I was much younger. It's exactly what I thought scotch would taste like. Imagine my disappointment when my first scotch experience was Chivas Regal. Anyhoo... this is one of my absolute favorite whiskies now. I find myself having to redirect myself from the bottle, so I don't wipe out my stash. It's been like hen's teeth around these parts. Excellent review. I wish my palate was as refined as yours - so I could appreciate this whiskey even more.
I watched your live stream recently on this whisky and ran out to buy a bottle in the middle of it. I have yet to open it, but I will do so while I watch this a second time. The internet provides for a weird time warp quality to life's experiences, but I am more than grateful to have this review and your live stream at hand when I crack my personal bottle of this whisky open for the first time. Cheers!
This stuff blew my mind when I tried it last night. The smoke, fruit and sherry flavors mesh so well. Great review
+An Army of Roombas I glad you liked it!
Lucky me living in Japan.. I paid only 2,500 yen plus VAT (appox. 25 US dollars) for my bottle.
Shingo Suzuki wow, not only is that a great retail price but the whisky is becoming more rare in the USA so prices are going up on the secondary market.
Making money on secondary markets is not nice. I want every whisky connoisseur to enjoy the Japanese gem. Or come to Japan!
@@shingo_ring Going to Japan in April to "resupply". How are the availability at the moment? Ladies gave me a list longer than Santa's wish list sigh...
You can find them on the shelves but mostly Non Age. FIY, I myself bought Yamazaki and Hakushu 's NAS mini bottles at a Seven Eleven shop lately. Chita is gone. They stopped shipping it.
@@shingo_ring oh no and i left half of the Chita unfinished at the hotel. Sigh...
Thanks for the video Erik! Enjoyed your take on it and I really appreciate the barrel type info. I tried to look into the kinds myself when I did my video review but couldn't find any good source about it. Cheers my friend!! 🥃
I enjoyed watching your review of this as well. We had similar observations about the whisky's aroma and flavor profile.
Wow $90, I'm so glad the second round of this bottle isn't that bad. I got it today in East Texas for $54. Love the quick review Erik!
Great video, Erik! Love the shirt (staying with the theme).
This is one of my favorites!
Well 7 months later after I found this video I was able to get a bottle of the Nikka From The Barrel. Erik’s findings mirror what I’m tasting. This is one of the best Japanese Whiskys I’ve had. It has a longer finish than the Hakushu 12 year. Glad I was able to get it for $90.
Sounds great Erik, Total Wine lists it for $65 but of course its not available. Only Japanese Whiskey I've had so far is the Nikka Coffey Malt which I enjoy so will keep a lookout for this. Interesting bottle looks like something you would see on the shelf of a auto parts or janitorial supply store ! Cheers
I find it quite annoying when I am searching for a whisky (or wine) and the Google search indicates that Total & Wine has it in stock BUT when I click the link the web site says it is not available. They do that in order to then suggest another whisky which they hope you will buy.
Still on the shelves for $65. Bought a bottle as a gift, got a taste, wanted to find fault with it but I couldn't; it was fantastic.
Thanks for watching! Good to hear that the hype of the press has't raised the price in your area. I've heard from some people that they can't find it. It sells for $90 here.
@@ErikWaitWhiskyStudies I'm in NYC, so I suspect its available might be short-lived. Happy New Year.
I just acquired a bottle for $60.00 dollars locally on the west coast. Great value, it is delicious. Second only to the Nikka Coffey malt, which is my favorite Japanese whisky currently. I like the background music choice.
These went for $60 before The Whisky Advocate "Top 20" was published and then they jumped in price and became more scarce.
Great review! Oddly, i found a bottle of this at Costco! Should have bought three instead of just the one.
I have found a few gems at Costco. I bought 2 bottles of the Hibiki 30th Anniversary at Costco for $60 each. I also bought two bottles of the 2015 Yao Ming Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley for $65 each. They sell for $95 at the winery!
Nice review Erik. I picked up a bottle long before Whiskey Advocate named it WOTY and it was $58 Cad (2018 bottle). Not sure I agree with WA on this selection. Would like to try a sample from the bottle Nikka submitted to WA though. Cheers
Thanks for the comments. I find that people often have a hate or love for Japanese whiskies in general. Those who say "meh" tend not to agree with what they consider to be hype about the whiskies. But, for me, as one who LOVES Japanese architecture, gardening, painting etc. I find the good ones to be very reflective of their cultural origin.
@@ErikWaitWhiskyStudies I don't have a love or a hate for Japanese Whisky. My opinion of NFTB or any Whisky is based solely on my experience in drinking it. There was no hype on this bottle when I picked it up.
@@peterwhite507 That's the way I go about drinking my whisky as well, how good is it to me, period!
I checked at my local liquor store and they didn't have the Nikka From The Barrel. I wonder if this whiskey is as good as Yamazaki 12?
I don't know, I have had the Hakushu 12 but not the Yamazaki 12. The Yamazaki 12 goes for $120 - $200 US which is a lot more money than what I paid for the Nikka From The Barrel.
@@ErikWaitWhiskyStudies Hello kind sir. Thanks for replying back. I'm going to see if I can get Nikka From The Barrel. Yamazaki 12 by me is $130 USD and if I can find the Nikka at $90 it is a savings.
Bought 5 bottles for US$60 when it first arrived in the US. Has a great reputation in Japan. Tried it when I was in Singapore.
Mark Nienow You bought 5 bottles for $60? Or you paid $60 per bottle?
@@ErikWaitWhiskyStudies $60 per bottle
Hi Erik, lovely review once more. I will be eyeing to get this bottle soon for around USD 90. However I recently bought the Nikka Coffey Malt, and i find it too bitter for me at the end. May i know if these two expressions are similar to one another? Cheers
Graceful Towels I’ve not reviewed the Nikka Coffey Malt so I can’t make a comparison. But, I do know they are made in a different manner. The From The Barrel is made from blending over 100 barrels to achieve the profile. So it represents the mastery of Japanese blending techniques. I may review the Coffey Malt in the future.
Erik Wait i see. The From the barrel does it have a strong bitter taste at the end? How would you describe the finish?
The bottle that I had a couple of years ago was good, but for the price here in British Columbia it was not worth a repeat purchase.
The price on this one seems to be all over the map. Some as low as $60 US and as high as $90.
Gotta go buy more bottles of this... Still only about $25 a bottle in Japan.
I’m a little sad that this won Whisky of the Year. I was finding this gem pretty easily as of a few months ago normally for around $65. Now it’s going to be very hard to find and probably at higher prices.
The fame has its pros and cons. Some people would never try it unless it had a good write up in the media but it also increases scarcity and drives prices up.
Erik Wait I love that this is getting the recognition it deserves but I also know individuals who will buy cases of popular whisky to then resell on the secondary market. This one was already gaining a good reputation before the award and now it’s going to be very hard to find.
Don Nishita agree 💯. As far as I know, this wasn’t even available for sale in the U.S. until earlier this year and so it was already hard to get. I noticed the frenzy of its newness had finally started to die down & it wasn’t selling out the instant it hit shelves anymore...just to have WA proclaim it whisky of the year. 🤦🏻♂️
@@ErikWaitWhiskyStudies It's all but completely disappeared in the united states except for the 500% above list price gougers!!.. If someone knows where to buy at realistic pricing please email me at gman4405@gmail.com. Thank you much!..........cheers!
Back in May 2018 when I saw 2 bottles in Tokyo, I bought it without even thinking it over and I did not regret it. I brought it to a friend's place to taste and they were shocked how good it was and how "much" I paid for. It cost me around $20 per bottle ( I ain't joking).
$20!? WOW! That's not a purchase, that's a steal!
Indeed it is. I just read online that Nikka is discontinuing Nikka 12, Coffey Grain and Coffey Malt
WooooooW!
You're opening is classical Chinese theater music, you're wearing a "dragon" t-shirt. Also Chinese.
All of this while taking about about a JAPANESE Whisky.
Wow, just wow!
and I am wearing Belgian underwear while speaking American English. I like to mix it up a bit. If the music is Japanese then blame Epidemic Sound. I subscribe to a copyright-free music service and when I typed in "Japanese Music" this music was one of the options. Also, when I searched for "Japanese Icon" in men's clothing on Amazon this shirt showed up.
Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to my channel and LIKE this video! Interested in learning about wine? Check out "Erik Wait's Wine Studies" TH-cam Channel: th-cam.com/users/CAWineAdventures
Just bought one for 500 kr (55 USD) in Norway.
BAD value at the retail I price I see in CA in Dec.2020- 99 dollars. You can get Hibiki Harmony for under 80 dollars.