Nikka Whisky from the Barrel
Nikka Whisky was launched in 1940. Nikka is short for Nippon Kaju, slightly shortened from Dai Nippon Kaju or “The Great Japanese Juice Company”, the name of the corporation Masataka Taketsuru founded in 1934 after returning to Japan from Scotland and leaving Suntory after a decade to form his own business. This company sold apple products at first, while the whisky aged. Today, the brands produced under the Nikka umbrella come from the Miyagikyo and Yoichi distilleries primarily if they are made in Japan. The Nikka Whisky from the Barrel is made from a blend of 100 different batches of malt and grain whiskies to integrate the flavors and bottled at what is believed to be an ideal proofage.
Corsair Oatrage
The usage of oats in whiskey production is extremely rare, and for good reason: it has a low yield and is thicker, making it more difficult to work with compared to other grains. Still, that has not kept the distillers at Corsair from experimenting with it. The Corsair Oatrage continues the distillery’s penchant for pun-themed names that highlight the grain (at least until their recent rebranding efforts). This single pot still whiskey is made from 51% malted oats, 27% 6-row malted barley, and 22% coffee malted barley. Coffee malt is a 2-row malt that has been moderately roasted, imparting an aroma and taste of coffee, and is often used in dark beers in the same way chocolate malts are.
Compass Box The Story of the Spaniard
Compass Box was founded in 2000 by American John Glaser and quickly made a name for themselves by bottling and marketing a range of blended scotch. While Compass Box found early notoriety for its conflicts with the Scotch Whisky Association but over the years they have gone from being outsiders to being respected innovators with numerous industry awards under their belts. The Story of the Spaniard is meant to be a showcase of sherry and the influence the fortified wine can have on scotch. Each of the several blends has some component of sherry maturation. The story behind the Story is a nod to Glaser’s first experience with sherry during travels in Spain.