The advent of Japanese whisky has been widely attributed to Masataka Taketsuru who began his whisky pilgrimage in 1918, when he journeyed to the illustrious liquid’s spiritual heartland, the Celtic nations. Masataka’s family ran a sake brewery, still in operation today, and as such he was taught the skills of alcohol production, furthering his education at the University of Glasgow where he studied chemistry. This and his apprenticeships at Scotch whisky distilleries afforded him a great depth of knowledge about production and blending. In 1920, Masataka Taketsuru married Jessie ‘Rita’ Roberta Cowan and the couple lived for a few months in Campbeltown. They travelled to Japan later that year.
In 1934, Masataka established Nikka Whisky and his first distillery was built in Hokkaido and named Yoichi. The area was well-suited to whisky production, though its location was remote. In 1969, a second distillery was founded, Miyagikyo Distillery, or Sendai Distillery as it has been known. Its first whiskies were sold as Sendai Single Malt and it was not until Asahi Brewery’s acquisition of Nikka in 2001 that the Miyagiko Distillery was expanded to cope with national demand. The Nikka range includes the single malts from the pair of distilleries as well as a range of vatted and blended malts.
However, soaring demand for Japanese whisky began to outstrip supply, and in early 2019 it was announced that Nikka was axing Nikka 12 and temporarily suspending the Coffey Grain and Malt whiskies. 2019 was also the first year that the Yoichi plant started distilling in January, as opposed to the traditional four-month distilling seasons from March until June and again from September to early December, in an effort to increase production.
The Miyagikyo distillery also announced an expansion in early 2019, to be completed by 2021, along with the news that Nikka has procured many more casks to age whisky from the distillery, boosting storage by 40%.
Showing 1–16 of 27 results
Nikka Tailored 2 glasses gift box (70cl, 43%)
Introduced to replace the beloved Nikka 12 Year Old, Tailored is a blend of malt whisky from Nikka’s Yoichi and Miyagikyo distilleries as well as its Coffey Still grain. The whisky balances soft fruity notes with bitter notes of dark chocolate and citrus zest.
Nikka Miyagikyo Aromatic Yeast Nikka Discovery 2022 (70cl, 47%)
Japanese single malt that explores and celebrates fermentation and the fruity, floral notes formed during that part of the production process. In contrast to many Scottish producers, for example, Nikka (and other Japanese producers) use various yeast strains, and experiment with many more. These strains are closely protected, and it’s great to see a couple of releases highlighting their contribution – the other being the peated Yoichi Aromatic Yeast from Nikka’s other malt whisky distillery.
Nikka Yoichi Aromatic Yeast Nikka Discovery 2022 (70cl, 48%)
Fruity, floral, peated Japanese single malt from Yoichi distillery on Japan’s nothernmost main island, Hokkaido. It’s one of a pair of exciting Nikka releases based around aromas and flavours from fermentation and yeast, the other being Miyagikyo Aromatic Yeast, an unpeated whisky from Yoichi’s sister distillery.
Utilising their experience of using and experimentating with various different yeast strains, Nikka fermented this batch of whisky at a low temperature for a particularly estery character said to be akin to a fine daiginjo sake.
Nikka Session (70cl, 43%)
Produced by Nikka to add some competition to the world whisky stage and match the Suntory Ao release. The whisky is a blend of malts from Yoichi, Miyagikyo, and Ben Nevis distilleries. Nikka who own the Ben Nevis Distillery in Scotland are now utilising the delicious spirit produced there and using it in a few of their blends. Suntory recently produced the Suntory World Whisky by using whisky distilleries from different countries and blending them together. This has motivated Nikka to do the same and we think they have created a very nice whisky indeed. It’s Nikka’s first new whisky in six years. Bottled at 43% ABV.
Taketsuru 17 Year Old Pure Malt 70cl, 43%
This range of blended malts is named after the Nikka founder. Taketsuru 17 year old was highly acclaimed before it was announced in early 2020 that age-statements in the series were to be discontinued. This followed a similar move with the company’s single malts in 2015, all brought about by stock shortages due to an unprecedented demand for Japanese whisky in the 21st century.
Nikka Taketsuru 25 Year Old 70cl, 43%
This 25 year old edition of Nikka’s Taketsuru blended malt whisky is a very rare sight. The Taketsuru expression was named in honour of the company’s founder, Masataka Taketsuru, made with malt whiskies from the Yoichi and Miyagikyo distilleries. The well-aged whiskies within this brilliant blended malt display a fantastic balance of Sherried goodness, floral elegance and a subtle hint of peat.
Distilleries Yoichi, Miyagikyo
Bottler Distillery Bottling
Bottling serie Pure Malt
Stated Age 25 years old
Strength 43.0 %
Vol.Size 700 ml
Label 竹鶴
Nikka Discovery Peated 2021 (70cl, 48%)
This Single Malt Miyagikyo is the fruit of a blend of peated malts, resulting in a peaty expression that differs significantly from the usually light and fruity expressions of Miyagikyo. Around a frank peat, bright and smoky fruity notes appear.
This limited edition is part of the “Nikka Discovery” series, launched on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of Nikka Whisky, which retraces the production processes used over the years.
Nikka Discovery Non Peated 2021 (70cl, 47%)
This limited edition Yoichi Non Peated is the first bottling of the “Nikka Discovery” series. It breaks away from the usual peaty image of Yoichi expressions and offers a Single Malt made entirely of unpeated malts.
It offers a nice balance, delicate and bursting with fruit, rich in the mouth with the characteristic smoke of charcoal distillation.
Created to celebrate Nikka’s 90th birthday, the “Nikka Discovery” series looks back on the different whisky-making processes used by the Japanese distillery over generations.
Nikka Miyagikyo Single Malt 70cl, 45%
Nikka’s entry-level whisky from Miyagikyo distillery. Light in body, yet full of flavour, this is an excellent introduction to Japanese whisky. Elegantly fruity with sherry-cask character.
Nikka Taketsuru 21 Year Old Pure Malt Wooden Box 70cl, 43%
This range of blended malts is named after the Nikka founder. Taketsuru 21 year old was highly acclaimed, but was discontinued alongside the 25 and 17 year old expressions in 2020 after unprecedented 21st century demand for Japanese whisky left even its largest companies suffering from stock shortages.
Nikka Taketsuru 17 Year Old Pure Malt (70cl, 43%)
The reputation of the 21 year old Taketsuru pure malts is well established and the 17 year old edition is equally as well balanced.
Another winner from Nikka’s Taketsuru range. This was named for the founder of the company, Masataka Taketsuru and is a big, bold full-bodied vatted whisky of truly exceptional depth, grace and balance.
Taketsuru 21 Year Old Pure Malt (70cl, 43%)
This range of blended malts is named after the Nikka founder. Taketsuru 21 year old was highly acclaimed, but was discontinued alongside the 25 and 17 year old expressions in 2020 after unprecedented 21st century demand for Japanese whisky left even its largest companies suffering from stock shortages.
Nikka Gold & Gold Samurai Limited Edition Japanese Whisky (75cl, 43%)
The Barrel square glass bottle and minimalist label comes the Nikka Whisky Gold & Gold a.k.a ‘G & G’ Samurai blended whisky in this exceptionally crafted armour.
Gold and Gold Samurai, a superb blend from Nikka, originally only available in the Japanese duty free market.
Comes complete with a unique samurai bust to adorne the bottle.
Nikka Gold & Gold Samurai Limited Edition Japanese Whisky (75cl, 43%)
The Barrel square glass bottle and minimalist label comes the Nikka Whisky Gold & Gold a.k.a ‘G & G’ Samurai blended whisky in this exceptionally crafted armour.
Gold and Gold Samurai, a superb blend from Nikka, originally only available in the Japanese duty free market.
Comes complete with a unique samurai bust to adorne the bottle.
Nikka Tailored (70cl, 43%)
Introduced to replace the beloved Nikka 12 Year Old, Tailored is a blend of malt whisky from Nikka’s Yoichi and Miyagikyo distilleries as well as its Coffey Still grain. The whisky balances soft fruity notes with bitter notes of dark chocolate and citrus zest.