Nikka Discovery Miyagikyo Single Malt Peated 2021

Classification: Japanese Whisky
Distillery: Nikka Miyagikyo Distillery
Mashbill: 100% Malted Barley
Age: NAS
Proof: 96

Nikka decided to do a little prank on us with The Discovery Series and flip the script with their two “house styles” of it’s two distilleries…Miyagikyo and Yoichi.

Miyagikyo, the delicate, fruity Japanese single malt you know and love? Yeah, forget that. They peated it. Peated. Like Miyagikyo put on leather boots and rode a motorcycle through a beach bonfire.

The nose hits you with smoke and ash—at first it’s like, “Whoa, where’d my orchard fruit go?” But be patient, my friend. That fruit is just shy. It sneaks up behind the smoke like a polite ninja: peaches, stone fruit, nougat, almonds, citrus peel. Sweet, bold, and just a little “I know what I’m doing.”

The palate is chewy and rounded. You get the smoky peat, sure, but it’s not some overbearing bully. The fruit powers through like it’s saying, “Yeah, I’m still here. Don’t worry about it.” The nougat and almonds? Classy touches. Citrus peel? Keeps you on your toes. And that beach bonfire smoke? Yeah, it’s basically the whisky equivalent of me winking at you from across a crowded room.

The finish is peaches with a subtle hit of red pepper, and a light waft of peat hanging out in the corner like it’s totally chill. It lingers just long enough to make you go, “Hmm, I should probably buy another bottle before this one’s gone.”

Overall: Miyagikyo Peated is bold, balanced, and undeniably charming—like a Japanese single malt that’s still a good roommate but finally learned how to party. You don’t need a leather jacket to enjoy it… but it wouldn’t hurt.