Nikka

The best of both worlds.

Nikka is the synonym of Japanese Whisky craftsmanship and culture. It was founded in 1934 by Masataka Taketsuru, the father of Japanese Whisky. A true visionary and the pioneer of Whisky industry in Japan. He learned his trade in Scotland and brought it to Japan. Worlds apart?

The company has two working distilleries — Yoichi and Miyagikyo. The latter was founded in 1969, thirty years after Yoichi. Taketsuru supposedly stumbled upon the picturesque location by chance, instantly realizing its potential as a prime spot for Whisky production. Good thing he did too, since the softer nature of the Miyagikyo’s Whiskies complements the big, smoky Spirits of Yoichi beautifully. Elegant, yet robust.

The high humidity and purity of air at Miyagiko is almost the same as in Cairngorms region in the heart of Scotland. Only the cherry trees are a reminder that the location is in the heart of Japan and not the Highlands. The distillery, one of the most up-to-date facilities in Japan — is using two old coffey stills which date back to the 19th century. Modern, yet traditional.

And it’s exactly these coffey stills in Miyagikyo that make Nikka Whisky Coffey Malt special. While most distilleries use their coffey stills only to make grain Whisky, in this case, Nikka uses them to create 100% Malt Whisky, which is usually produced in copper pot stills. And that’s what makes this Whisky wonderfully unique. Delicate, yet spicy.

You see, they do things a bit differently at Nikka. In keeping with tradition and breaking with it at the same time. Nikka is all about contrasts and contradictions. The best of both worlds. Taketsuru may be gone, but his Spirit remains.

We saved the best for the end... Hear this, Nikka Coffey was named "Japanese Whisky of the Year" by Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2018!

Kanpai!