Based in Okinawa, Helios Distillery is actually more known for its Japanese rums like Teeda, suited to the tropical climate of the island. They also make some excellent awamori, a distilled spirit made from long-grain rice, unique to Okinawan culture. That said, Helios has been making their own whisky too since the 80s, and they released their first single malt last year.
Today’s review is about Reki, a blended whisky from Helios. Interestingly, Reki in its blended form is not available in Japan. Instead, a pure malt version is sold in Japan, famous for its small, iconic blue bottle of 180 mls. Meanwhile, the blended version of Reki is produced in limited quantities to be sold across Europe and the US.
Reki’s blend consists of malt and grain whiskies from both Japan and abroad. These whiskies range from 3 to 18 years old, aged in ex-bourbon barrels. Okinawa’s tropical climate helps to accelerate the aging process as well.
Reki stands out among other blended whiskies with malts forming a high percentage of the blend. As for the grain whiskies in Reki, they are at least 3 years old. This accounts for the higher price of Reki, which is sold for around 45€. Does Reki deliver in terms of quality? Let’s have a look.
Nose: Pleasant nose without the harshness of a young whisky. Some elegant fruitiness. Dried citrus, perhaps orange. Accompanied by a strong malt character. A good sign.
Palate: The fruitiness is striking with orange becoming more apparent. Hints of vanilla from the oak, leading to a sensation like that of having an orange-glazed cake. Bourbon casks seem to have worked well here. Very smooth, no harsh alcohol. Body is a tad too light.
Finish: Medium length. Lingering orange followed by some warm spiciness with hints of cinnamon.
Overall: Very good. A blended whisky with enough complexity and depth of flavor to be enjoyed neat. It would also be great slightly chilled. Reki’s refreshing citrus notes and light body make it an ideal choice for humid summer nights.
