{"product_id":"nikka-from-the-barrel-extra-marriage-40th-anniversary-limited-edition-blended-whisky-500ml","title":"Nikka From the Barrel Extra Marriage 40th Anniversary Limited Edition Blended Whisky 500ml","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eNikka From the Barrel is one of the great cult whiskies of Japan: a small, square, heavy-glass 500ml bottle introduced in 1985, with a blended whisky bottled at 51.4% ABV, a high strength for a blend, that has become a favorite of bartenders and whisky enthusiasts, and a standard among “best value” lists. It’s a blend of more than 100 different batches of malt and grain whiskies from Nikka’s Miyagikyo and Yoichi distilleries, with a key step: after blending, the whisky is filled into used barrels and rested for three months, in a process Nikka calls “marriage,” which harmonizes the components.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eTo celebrate the 40th anniversary, Nikka released Extra Marriage: the same blend components and the same 51.4% strength, but with the marriage period doubled to up to six months in oak at Nikka’s Tochigi aging cellar. The result, in Nikka’s words, is “a whisky with richer flavor and a longer finish.” The blend is the same, and the extra time is the whole point. The release was accompanied by a limited three-bottle gift set (just 800 sets) with the standard, Malt, and Grain expressions to show the components.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eNikka’s tasting notes: “Nose: Soft and mellow oak aroma. Rich chocolate, ripe fruit and vanilla sweetness, refreshing orange peel, and malt sweetness. Palate: Rich and full-bodied. Bold flavors with a smooth, mellow texture and fine oak tannins. Finish: Mild barrel aroma, woody and bitter aftertaste. Gentle oak aroma with a subtle bitterness on the long finish.” Nikka’s European team adds a nose of “beeswax, chocolate, honey,” a palate that is “lively and sharp, cereal-like, peat, mirabelle plum,” and a finish that is “energetic and silky, barley sugar, bitter almond, candied ginger.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eWhisky Advocate’s Jonny McCormick reviewed it (Winter 2025), noting: “Given an extra 3-month marrying period in oak at Nikka’s Tochigi Aging Cellar, this is gorgeous liquid with rich aromas of caramel, smoke, honeycomb, Reese’s peanut butter cups, lemongrass, fresh ginger, and a hint of peat bog. Baked citrus, toffee, zesty lemon, and honey flavors, it has more pungent peat smoke than the malt component, rounding out with malt, butterscotch, cocoa powder, and caramel popcorn.” A reviewer comparing it to the standard From the Barrel found “how much softer the nose was,” with “warm caramel and spiced oak,” “baked apple and dried apricot,” a “peppery bite” at the back, and “a faint smoky note, like toasted barrel char,” and a finish that is “longer and gentler than the regular expression.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eIt’s a rich, round, high-proof blend with more polish than the standard bottling, a collector’s piece for a beloved whisky’s anniversary, and a good value among limited Japanese releases. Enjoy it neat, with a few drops of water, or over a large cube, and it makes a superb Old Fashioned or Highball base for the cocktail crowd.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"4\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigins \u0026amp; Craftsmanship\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eNikka From the Barrel Extra Marriage is produced by Nikka Whisky in Japan, a blended whisky of more than 100 batches of malt and grain whiskies from the Miyagikyo and Yoichi distilleries, filled into used barrels after blending and “married” for up to six months (double the standard three) at Nikka’s Tochigi aging cellar. 40th Anniversary limited edition. Bottled at 51.4% ABV \/ 102.8 proof, 500ml.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"4\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCritics Reviews\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJonny McCormick, Whisky Advocate (Winter 2025; score not shown):\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Given an extra 3-month marrying period in oak at Nikka’s Tochigi Aging Cellar, this is gorgeous liquid with rich aromas of caramel, smoke, honeycomb, Reese’s peanut butter cups, lemongrass, fresh ginger, and a hint of peat bog. Baked citrus, toffee, zesty lemon, and honey flavors, it has more pungent peat smoke than the malt component, rounding out with malt, butterscotch, cocoa powder, and caramel popcorn.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eParker’s Whisky (review):\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“The first thing that stood out was how much softer the nose was compared to the original From the Barrel... The finish is longer and gentler than the regular expression, thanks possibly to the extra time in marrying casks.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNikka (official tasting notes):\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Nose: Soft and mellow oak aroma. Rich chocolate, ripe fruit and vanilla sweetness, refreshing orange peel, and malt sweetness. Palate: Rich and full-bodied. Bold flavors with a smooth, mellow texture and fine oak tannins. Finish: Mild barrel aroma, woody and bitter aftertaste.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"4\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Profile\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNose\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSoft, mellow oak, with caramel, honeycomb, rich chocolate, ripe fruit, vanilla, orange peel, beeswax, and a hint of smoke.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePalate\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRich and full-bodied, with baked citrus, toffee, butterscotch, honey, malt, cocoa powder, mirabelle plum, and a touch of peat, with fine oak tannin.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinish\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLong and silky, with barley sugar, bitter almond, candied ginger, and gentle oak.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"4\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQuick Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"col\"\u003eCategory\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"col\"\u003eDetails\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStyle\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBlended Whisky (Malt \u0026amp; Grain) — 40th Anniversary Limited Edition\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABV \/ Proof\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e51.4% ABV \/ 102.8 Proof\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eComponents\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e100+ batches of malt and grain whiskies from Miyagikyo and Yoichi\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMarriage\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUp to 6 months in used barrels at the Tochigi aging cellar (double the standard 3 months)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProducer\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNikka Whisky — Japan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottle\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCult square bottle (introduced 1985)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCritics\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWhisky Advocate reviewed (Winter 2025)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStyle \/ Identity\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA rich, rounded, polished high-proof blend with caramel, citrus, and a thread of peat\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAromas \u0026amp; Flavors\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCaramel, honeycomb, chocolate, orange peel, baked citrus, butterscotch, peat smoke\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottle Size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e500ml\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"4\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCocktail \u0026amp; Serving Suggestions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNeat or with a few drops of water\u003c\/strong\u003e — to taste the caramel and citrus.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHighball\u003c\/strong\u003e — with soda and a lemon twist.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOld Fashioned\u003c\/strong\u003e — a rich, high-proof base.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"4\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFood Pairings\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGrilled and smoked meats\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChocolate and caramel desserts\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAged cheddar\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRoasted nuts\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Southern","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45896353546306,"sku":null,"price":75.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0363\/8621\/files\/Nikka_From_the_Barrel_Extra_Marriage_40th_Anniversary_Limited_Edition_Blended_Whisky_500ml.jpg?v=1793813877","url":"https:\/\/www.blackwellswines.com\/products\/nikka-from-the-barrel-extra-marriage-40th-anniversary-limited-edition-blended-whisky-500ml","provider":"Blackwell's Wines \u0026 Spirits","version":"1.0","type":"link"}