Nikka Yoichi whisky is an iconic Japanese whisky and a brand every whisky enthusiast should try. This post will cover the history of Yoichi, tasting notes, pricing and retailers, pairings, and more.  

What is Yoichi Whisky? 

Yoichi whisky is made at Nikka’s Yoichi Distillery in Hokkaido. It was Masataka Taketsuru’s first distillery after he developed Yamazaki for Shinjiro Torii. 

Taketsuru wanted to make whisky that’s similar to Scotch. So he chose Hokkaido, a prefecture with a cold, humid climate that’s blessed with quality water and peat. All of these factors make it similar to Highland Scotland. 

Whiskies matured here develop slowly and take on briny notes from the nearby ocean. 

Yoichi Single Malt Whisky

The Yoichi Distillery produces malt whisky from direct coal-fired copper pot stills. This use of coal for direct firing is rare and produces a robust, roasted character in the whisky. 

Nikka Yoichi whisky is firm with a bit of peat, which is now sourced from Scotland. The whisky has a rich malty character with a hint of brine and minerality. 

Yoichi Age Statement & NAS Whiskies

Nikka once had a robust line of age statement Yoichi single malts. But there has been a surge in demand for premium Japanese whiskies over the last 20 years. And as a result, Nikka hasn’t been able to produce enough whisky to meet this demand. So Nikka discontinued their entire age statement lineup of whiskies.

Instead, Nikka now bottles a no age statement (NAS) version of Yoichi. This whisky debuted in 2016. And it’s a single malt that blends older and younger stocks and is a decent value among Japanese malt whiskies. 

Nikka has ramped up production at Yoichi and Miyagikyo. So eventually, there will be a return of Yoichi age statement whisky. 

And it looks like that day has arrived. Asahi Beer, the owner of Nikka Whisky, announced 7/2022 that Yoichi 10 is back! Will the 12-year Yoichi return in two years?

Nikka Yoichi Single Malt NAS Tasting Notes

Yoichi whisky is aromatic, malty, briny, and moderately peaty. The peat character is smoky and medicinal. And the malt is rich and savory. There are also several notes from oak influence, especially former Bourbon barrels. These notes include vanilla, coconut, nutmeg, caramel, and cedar. 

Other tasting notes for Yoichi NAS whisky include lemon zest, pineapple, fresh flowers, almond, milk chocolate, and leather.

Nikka Yoichi Similar Whiskies & Competitors 

There are many similar whiskies to Nikka Yoichi. And this famous whisky also has a long list of competitors. But I’ll start with Yoichi’s sibling: Miyagikyo.

Nikka Yoichi vs Miyagikyo

Miyagikyo is Nikka’s other major whisky distillery. Both produce a NAS single malt, and the two are often compared. 

Yoichi is modeled more after a Highland whisky. It’s firm, malty, and somewhat peaty. Miyagikyo is more of a Lowland style and is fruity, soft, and only mildly peaty. 

Both of these whiskies are complex and delicious. It’s a fun experience to try them side by side. 

Yoichi vs Yamazaki & Hakushu

As mentioned earlier, Yamazaki Distillery was designed and operated by Nikka founder Masataka Taketsuru. Today, Yamazaki also produces iconic malt whisky, but in Osaka. 

The whiskies from Yamazaki are much more fruity than Yoichi and lack the firm peat influence. Yamazaki whisky also uses a fair amount of Japanese mizunara oak. This imparts more floral and exotic notes. Yoichi whisky instead has a lot of ex-Bourbon influence. The flavors of this are more spicy and savory.

The Yamazaki 12 is the closest competition to Yoichi NAS from Yamazaki. It’s a much fruitier and softer whisky. And Yoichi is noticeably peaty, whereas Yamazaki is not.

Suntory would eventually launch the Hakushu Distillery in Yamanashi. This facility was designed to produce whiskies with more peat and Scotch-like character. So they’re more similar to Yoichi than Yamazaki. Like Yoichi, Hakushu also utilizes a lot of used Bourbon casks. But overall, Yoichi is more firm, savory, robust, and peaty. Whereas, Hakushu is more crisp, mineral, and apply. 

Hakushu 12 is somewhat similar to Yoichi NAS. Both are somewhat peaty, herbal, and crisp. But the Hakushu has a more fruity character, whereas the Yoichi is more savory.

Other Japanese Whiskies

Akashi Single Malt, Mars Komagatake whiskies, Akkeshi, and some Chichibu whiskies are somewhat similar to Yoichi. Trying them side by side would be an excellent experience. 

Yoichi & Scotch

Yoichi was designed to taste like single malt Highland Scotch, which it does. So if you like Yoichi, Highland whiskies are worth exploring. Glenmorangie, Dalwhinnie, Ardmore, and Dalmore are just a few noteworthy distilleries. And Ben Nevis, which is owned by Nikka, is another excellent Highland producer. 

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Nikka Yoichi Price & Retailers 

Unlike many Japanese whiskies, Nikka’s Yoichi single malt is not hard to find. Between local stores or online retailers, most Americans should be able to find it. 

Nikka Yoichi also has a relatively stable price. Yes, you’ll want to be wary of price gouging. But Yoichi doesn’t see the same sort of crazed pricing as other marquee Japanese whiskies. 

Yoichi Whisky Price 

The average retail price of Yoichi single malt whisky is between $80 and $100 for a 750ml bottle. It may be more expensive in some markets. But avoid paying too much. This is not a collector’s whisky. There are too many great options online to overpay. 

In a restaurant or bar, expect to pay between $15 and $26 for a 1.5 oz pour. This range is based on a wholesale cost of $65. Again, this may be higher or lower based on your market. 

Shopping at Brick & Mortar Retailers

Depending on where you live, there may be many options for buying Nikka Yoichi. Japanese markets and Asian grocers will often carry this whisky. And large liquor stores and retailers are also a good bet. Stores like Costco, Total Wine, Binny’s, BevMo!, Twin Liquors, and Macadoodles are all good options. 

Buy Nikka Yoichi Online 

Buying Yoichi whisky online opens up a lot of options. And in some states, shipping may be your only choice. Even with delivery costs, online retailers often offer the best price. This is because it’s easy to shop around to find the best deal. 

Check out the online retailers below, but be sure to shop around for the best price. We may earn commissions on qualifying purchases from some of these retailers.

Nikka Yoichi Food Pairings

Nikka Yoichi single malt is excellent by itself. But it also pairs well with a surprising variety of cuisine. 

A classic pairing is Yoichi and raw oysters. But other shellfish can be great too. Uni and roasted scallops are a surprisingly good match with Yoichi. 

Smoked or grilled salmon is another fantastic pairing with Yoichi whisky. And grilled steak is another option that’s perfect with this whisky.

Dessert is another time to pour yourself a glass. Creme brulee can be a nice match, as can most desserts with elements of caramel, vanilla, or chocolate. 

Finally, Nikka Yoichi is a smoky, leather malt whisky, and it’s perfect with a fine cigar. 

Serving Suggestions for Nikka Whisky

Generally, Nikka Yoichi is best served neat, on the rocks, or with a splash of water. But it makes baller cocktails as well. 

Yoichi Cocktails 

There is a range of cocktails that are suited for Nikka Yoichi. 

A classic is the Japanese whisky highball. Nikka Yoichi makes a fine choice for this drink.

Another great use of Nikka Yoichi is in a Manhattan or Old Fashioned. These whisky-forward classics allow Yoichi to shine. 

One of my favorite cocktails is the Penicillin. It uses a blended whisky with a smoky, peated whisky floated on top. Nikka Yoichi is an outstanding choice as the peated whisky. Nikka Days or From the Barrel make for a very good base whisky. 

Finally, Scotch-based cocktails like the Rusty Nail and Bobby Burns are worth trying too. 

About the Nikka Yoichi Distillery

The Nikka Yoichi Distillery was founded in 1934 by Masataka Taketsuru. Located in Hokkaido, it has a cold, humid climate, which is similar to Scotland. 

Yoichi houses a variety of copper pot stills that produce malt whisky. They are direct-fired using coal, which is quite rare. 

Check out this full-length post to learn more about the history of Nikka whisky and the Yoichi Distillery.

What do You Think About Nikka Yoichi Whisky?

Personally, I love it. It’s a great value and every bit as complex as Yamazaki or Hakushu. But each is different. Do you have a favorite?