Nikka Yoichi is the flagship single malt from Nikka Whisky’s first distillery, founded in 1934 by Masataka Taketsuru in Yoichi, Hokkaido. It is crafted with traditional coal-fired pot stills, using malted barley and fresh water from the Yoichi River, in a climate with cool sea breezes and crisp air. This gives the whisky its bold maritime influence, refined peaty smoke, and a balance of fruit, aroma, and power that defines its character.
Colour: Light golden hay with warm straw tones.
Nose: Smoke and gentle peat mingle with sea-air brine and orchard fruit: ripe pears, green apple, hints of citrus zest. Underneath, there is vanilla, roasted oak, and a touch of herbal or floral undertone.
Palate: Silky in texture, with a vivid interplay of peat and oak, warmed by roasted malt. Sweet fruit—pear, apricot—meets mild smoke, leather, and char. There are also darker elements like chocolate, roasted nuts, and subtle spices.
Finish: Medium to long, layered with lingering smoke, salted sea breeze, sweet malt, and fruit. The oak char gradually fades, leaving behind earthy peat, spice, and a gentle herbal or menthol note.
Collector’s Note
Nikka Yoichi Single Malt bridges bold smoky character and elegance—an excellent pick for whisky lovers who want something with both power and finesse. Its affordability relative to older Japanese age-statement malts, combined with its distinct coastal terroir, makes it a strong entry in any collection. It also serves well as a marker of Nikka’s modern strategy to balance tradition with consistent availability.
Technical Details
Distillery: Yoichi, Hokkaido, Japan
Make: Single Malt (100% malted barley)
Release: Non-Age-Statement, permanent core expression (since 2016)
Distillation: Coal-fired pot stills, traditional techniques (wooden washbacks, downward lyne arms)
ABV: 45%
Volume: 700ml
Style: Smoky-peat, maritime, fruit-forward, bold yet balanced
Delivery within South Africa:
All orders are delivered from our central warehouse located in Montague Gardens, Western Cape. Local orders are usually delivered in 0-2 working days. Orders outside of Cape Town but within SA are generally delivered within 2-5 working days. If you require expedited delivery, we now offer an Express delivery service, which typically takes 1-3 working days, depending on your area.
While we strive for timely deliveries, there are occasional instances where delays may occur. These are rare but can happen due to unforeseen circumstances.
Delivery Rates:
At checkout, you will be presented with delivery options and corresponding rates. These rates are provided directly by our courier partners and are displayed as is. On rare occasions, a courier may generate an incorrect delivery rate due to issues with the address recognition. In such cases, we will arrange for an alternative courier to deliver your order at a similar rate to the original cost.
We believe in offering transparency in our delivery fees and, as such, do not include any delivery costs in our product pricing. We do not profit from delivery fees.
Third-Party Couriers:
For the majority of our orders, we rely on third-party courier services for delivery. Regular notifications will be sent and on the day of delivery the couriers will notify you via sms, call or email . If the courier is unable to reach you, we will get in touch with you to arrange an alternative solution.
Please note, you will be required to sign upon delivery, and the drivers may request a form of identification.
If there is something wrong with your product, we will gladly issue a full refund of 100% of your purchase amount. To process this, please reach out to us at info@mothercityliquor.co.za as soon as possible, and we will guide you through the refund process.
Order Cancellations:
If you need to cancel your order, simply email us at info@mothercityliquor.co.za, and we’ll assist you with the cancellation process. Please note, cancellations will incur a small fee of 10%, which covers the transaction fees we incur for processing each order. If your order has already been shipped, please be aware that the shipping fee is non-refundable.
Consignment Orders:
We do not offer consignment stock or consignment deals.
Returns:
If you find that there is an issue with your product, you are eligible to return it to us. Here’s how you can initiate the return:
Exceptions to Returns:
Sale or Special Offer Items: Only regular-priced items are eligible for a refund. Unfortunately, items purchased on sale or as part of a special offer cannot be refunded.
