Last Updated: 4/9/2021
Nikka From the Barrel checks all of the boxes for Japanese blended whisky: it’s award-winning, continuously rising in price, and contains some portion of Scotch.
It’s one of the more popular whiskies bottled in Japan, with a legion of fans and a few critics, as well.
In this post, we cover this delicious and semi-controversial Japanese whisky. You’ll find tasting notes, learn where to get the best price, find serving and cocktail tips, and pairing suggestions. We also include a list of similar whiskies and info about how this product is made.
Finding & Buying Nikka From the Barrel
From the Barrel has gained increasing recognition since its release in 1985. It has long been available in Europe, Australia, Asia, and Canada in 500 ml bottles. More recently, it was released in the US in a 750 ml format. It has been picked up by many retailers and restaurants since.
Nikka Whisky From the Barrel Price & Where to Find
Many Japanese restaurants and bars carry Nikka From the Barrel. It is relatively affordable and produced in large volumes. Non-Japanese bars with good spirits and cocktail programs often stock this whisky, as well. It’s a recognizable brand in a red-hot category, so it turns up all over the place.
Restaurant (on-premise) prices will vary by market. Expect to pay between $15 and $29 in the US for a 1.5-ounce pour.
A bar cost of 20% comes in at about $22.15 for most markets ($75 wholesale price 750 ml bottle) in the US. Drink prices above $29 should be avoided.
If you’re looking for From the Barrel locally, there are a lot of retail options you can try. Large stores like Total Wine, Costco, Binny’s, and BevMo! will often carry this popular blended whisky. Smaller liquor stores and shops will sometimes stock it too. Everyone wants some exposure to the red-hot Japanese whisky market. Since Nikka From the Barrel has gone mainstream, it makes sense to carry it.
Once again, retail prices for From the Barrel vary depending on the market. The low end of the price range is around $70 with the upper limit around $150 (750 ml bottle in the US).
With such a wide price disparity, it makes sense to be patient when searching for your own bottle of Nikka From the Barrel. Please do not overpay!
Many online retailers offer competitive prices, even with delivery fees. This is the most relaxing way to shop for Nikka whisky. Below are several sponsored delivery options.
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Nikka Whisky From the Barrel Tasting Notes
Nikka From the Barrel is a bronze-colored blended whisky with viscosity.
It’s somewhat aromatic with a caramelized and fruity lean. Notes include honeyed malt, toast, brown sugar, walnut, butterscotch, bruised apple, and roasted plantain. There’s also a hint of peat influence.
On the palate, From the Barrel’s high proof is noticeable on impact. It has an oily texture, a slightly sweet impression, and a long finish. Specific tasting notes include toffee, pecan pie, ripe peach, lemon peel, banana, Maraschino cherry, vanilla, and cinnamon. There’s also a mild touch of smoky malt and tobacco.
Overall, Nikka From the Barrel blended whisky is contemplative, sophisticated, and malty. The Sherry cask influence is strong, with the Bourbon barrel elements playing a supporting role.
From the Barrel’s heat can be tamed by a splash of water or an ice cube, and it does not take away from the complexity.
This is a really fine blended whisky and worthy of its popularity.
Recommended Professional Whisky Glasses
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Similar Whiskies to From the Barrel Blended Whisky
Finding From the Barrel shouldn’t be too difficult for most residents of the US and Canada. However, if you’re looking, there are some solid alternatives worth trying.
Hibiki Japanese Harmony is the closest competition to From the Barrel. The Hibiki is lighter, more floral, and exotically-spiced. It’s also made entirely in Japan. From the Barrel has more weight and a Sherried, sweeter profile. Both are excellent. Ichiro’s Malt and Grain is another elite alternative. And unlike Nikka, the Ichiro’s Malt whisky never hid the fact that it contains whisky made outside of Japan.
Mars Iwai Tradition Blended and Akashi “White Oak” Blended are good alternatives that are less expensive (and complex).
Outside of Japan, the most similar whiskies to Nikka From the Barrel come from Scotland. Johnny Walker Black Label is a solid blended Scotch whisky that is easy to find and delicious. Compass Box Hedonism and Monkey Shoulder are also legit and worth trying.
Food Pairing Nikka From the Barrel
Most drinkers will likely enjoy From the Barrel on its own. However, it does have some pairing potential.
Grilled steak, bacon cheeseburgers, and BBQ ribs are excellent when enjoyed with From the Barrel.
Desserts like creme brulee, pecan pie, and apple pie also work really well. The caramelized nature of From the Barrel harmonizes with many dessert elements.
Mildly smoked cheese and many types of nuts are a tasty combo with From the Barrel. Most of the elements on a cheese plate will taste great alongside this blended whisky.
Finally, Nikka From the Barrel isn’t a bad choice of whisky to match with a fine cigar, though we do think Nikka Yoichi is a better option.
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Serving Nikka From the Barrel
From the Barrel can be served neat, on the rocks, or mizuwari. A few ice cube is a good choice to lower the temperature of this high-proof whisky. The slight dilution does not harm the character. Big, slow-melting ice cubes are another good choice. This is especially true if you want the chilling effect of ice without too much dilution.
Nikka From the Barrel also makes a great mixer in cocktails. It is certainly on the pricey side, and is best for drinks that don’t hide its complexity.
From the Barrel Highball Recipe
The highball is a Japanese whisky cocktail classic. From the Barrel makes a strong version of this drink.
It’s best to use a chilled highball glass and ice-cold soda. Stir the whisky over ice and strain into the chilled glass full of ice. Next, tilt the glass and pour the soda down the side. You may give this drink a quick, light stir, but it isn’t necessary.
A standard pour would use 1.5 ounces of From the Barrel. A 2-ounce pour works too, but be warned that this makes a dangerously boozy highball!
Mineral water like Perrier or Saint-Geron is recommended for this cocktail.
Finish the Nikka highball by expressing a lemon peel over the top of the drink and rub it around the rim of the glass. This peel then makes a great garnish.
The forest fragrance version of the Japanese highball adds another element of complexity. For this cocktail, take a cluster of mint tops, smack them against your palm, rub them on the glass, and finally place them into the ice at the top of the drink.
Nikka From the Barrel Manhattan Recipe
The Manhattan is another classic whisky cocktail that works well with From the Barrel. This is already a boozier drink, so keep that in mind if you choose this whisky. Just one of these is equal to two standard servings of alcohol.
- 2.5-ounce Nikka From the Barrel
- 0.5-ounce Antica Formula vermouth
- 3 dash Regan’s Orange Bitters #6
- 3 dash Angostura bitters
Start by chilling a coupe or martini glass. Then take a mixing glass, combine all of the ingredients, add ice, and then stir the contents. You’ll want to stir this drink heavily for ample water dilution. Next, strain the cocktail into the cold glass.
For added complexity and the garnish, express an orange swath over the finished drink. Rub the orange on the rim and stem of the glass, as well. Finally, use this for the garnish along with an optional brandied cherry.
A 2:1 ratio of Nikka to vermouth is a milder alternative. From the Barrel doesn’t disappear in this variation. It’s even more important to use high-end vermouth like Antica Formula, if possible.
Nikka Whisky Old-Fashioned Recipe
The Old-Fashioned is another spirit-forward classic drink that is awesome with From the Barrel.
- 2.0-ounce Nikka From the Barrel
- 1 sugar cube or a splash of simple syrup
- 2 dash Regan’s Orange Bitters #6
- 2 dash Angostura bitters
In an Old-Fashioned glass add a cube of sugar, the bitters, and a splash of water. Muddle the sugar to dissolve it then add whisky, ice, and stir.
Just like with the Manhattan, express an orange swath over the drink and rub it on the glass. Use this orange as a garnish alongside an optional cherry and enjoy.
If you’re short on time, you can substitute simple syrup for the water and sugar cube. You’ll lose a bit of the grainy sugar texture, but the flavor will be the same.
Nikka Penicillin Cocktail Recipe
The Penicillin is similar to a chilled and shaken toddy. Its name represents the drink’s medicinal flavor profile and quasi-health benefits.
This modern whisky cocktail requires two types of whisky: a blended and a smoky single malt. From the Barrel provides the blended base of this drink. Yoichi single malt is ideal for the float.
- 1.5-ounce Nikka From the Barrel
- 0.25-ounce smokey single malt whisky (Nikka Yoichi)
- 0.5-ounce lemon juice
- 0.5-ounce honey syrup*
- 3 slices fresh ginger
To make a Penicillin, start by muddling slices of fresh ginger in a mixing glass. Next, add all of the other ingredients except the single malt whisky. Then, fill the glass with ice and shake.
After shaking, double strain the cocktail into a rocks glass that’s filled with ice. Next, pour a small amount of Nikka Yoichi over the top of the drink. Do this carefully so that it floats on the surface.
Garnish with lemon. You can use either a slice or a large swath. Substituting an orange works too. Candied ginger also makes for a great garnish addition or substitution.
A Nikka Penicillin will not make your cold or flu go away. Alcohol weakens the immune system. However, honey, lemon, and ginger may help relieve some of the milder symptoms. If you’re drinking (responsibly) anyway, a Penicillin is a great choice.
Substitute the whiskies for your tea of choice to get a healthier NA version of this drink.
Nikka From the Barrel Product Info
Whisky Type: Blended Whisky
Components: malt whisky from Nikka Yoichi, Miyagikyo, and Ben Nevis (Scotland). Coffee still grain whisky from Miyagikyo.
Cask: large variety of casks including Sherry butts and hogsheads, ex-Bourbon barrels
ABV: 51.4% (102.8 proof)
Is Nikka From the Barrel Actually Japanese Whisky?
The short answer is no. Nikka From the Barrel is a blend of Japanese whisky and Scotch. The constituents in the blend consist of whiskies from the Yoichi, Miyagikyo, and Ben Nevis distilleries. Over 100 malt and grain whiskies are used and Nikka doesn’t share information about the ratios of each.
About Nikka Whisky
Nikka was founded by the Japanese whisky icon Masataka Taketsuru. He was the first Japanese person to study whisky production. He brought this knowledge back to Japan and helped launch Shinjiro Torii’s Yamazaki Distillery. Taketsuru-san would go on to found the Yoichi Distillery in Hokkaido.
His company Nikka would become one of the two legendry Japanese whisky producers. Suntory, the other company, was helped immensely by Taketsuru-san.
Yoichi was chosen because it offered the climate most similar to Scotland. Nikka has always made whiskies in the fashion of Scotch. Yoichi uses a variety of pot stills. These are direct-fired using coal, which is extremely rare. The malt for Yoichi whisky is often peated, as well.
Nikka would later open the Miyagikyo Distillery in Miyagi. The distillery is equipped with a number of pot stills, and it also houses a pair of old-school Coffey stills. Fruity malt whisky is made with the former, and creamy grain whisky is made with the latter.
- Check out our Nikka Whisky and spirits guide for information on their history and the products they make.
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