Made by the Yoichi distillery, the second and smaller distillery of the Nikka Whisky Company. It was founded in 1934 by one of the two most influential men in Japanese whisky, Masataka Taketsuru. Yoichi Distillery lies in southern Hokkaido and has three sides surrounded by mountains, a terrain similar to the one found in Scotland, where Masataka studied the art of Whisky production and returned to Japan as a master blender - with a Scottish wife to boot.
Named after Nikka’s founder, Masataka Taketsuru, the Taketsuru Pure Malt is a vatting of Whiskies from both the Nikka distilleries: Yoichi and Miyagikyo. This includes some from sherry casks, giving a good dose of spice throughout. The oak casks also come through with a subtle sweetness from nose to finish. It is clear to see why this is an award-winning malt. Taketsuru is a great introduction to Japanese Whisky.
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The Flavor Spiral™ shows the most common flavors that you'll taste in Nikka Taketsuru Pure Malt and gives you a chance to have a taste of it before actually tasting it.
We invented Flavor Spiral™ here at Flaviar to get all your senses involved in tasting drinks and, frankly, because we think that classic tasting notes are boring.
Dog Dogson's
Smartass Corner
Japanese Whisky is connected both to Scotch and Bourbon. It’s a Scotch-style Spirit that’s matured in climates similar to Kentucky’s.
A bit of carmel sweetness up front and a little cinnamon spice lingers in finish. Balanced middle of the road flavor profile
Sean,
For the price point, this is a great starter Japanese Whisky. Smooth, soft, floral.
I've brought this to several whiskey tastings matched against a variety of other Japenese whiskys and this ends up being the most pleasing for multiple tastings over the night.
Todd,
Off the chart on a price/quality ratio. Vanilla and Cinnamon on the nose with no alcohol burn. Plenty of caramel and spices. The best Scotches I ever had were from Japan.
Greg,
This dram is dynamite and is the best readily available Nikka offering. Very complex. Trust me, it's better than the Yoichi and Miyagikyo.
guest,
Light & floral nose. Smooth & lingering finish. My favorite whisky from Japan.
Edward,
A nice, soft, floral whisky. In a blind taste test with six other Japanese whiskies, this bottle came out on top - from all 8 participants. I think that says a lot for its quality.
Kris,
Extremely light on the nose and I smell marsala wine. Rich and spicy with heavy oak flavors. All in all an excellent whisky and a great intro to Japanese whiskey.
Orlando,
Very oaky, doesn't taste like any other whiskey I have ever tried. Definitely worth trying.
John,
Very very smooth. Perfect neat or on the rocks.
guest,
Love this whiskey! Very pricey but worth it for the bold flavors and exquisite finish. Do not date mix
Trevour,
Smokey and clearly nutty malt character. Pleasant everyday tipple but not a standout
Matt,
Another incredible dram from Nikka. They always seem to find a way to give so much richness and complexity to any and all of their whiskies. The nose is rich with vanilla, the slightest hint of aromatic peat, spice. The palate is thick and rich. It coats your mouth and evolves from light peat and sweetness into a delicious floral/caramel/vanilla/spice experience. The finish is more of the same and lingers for quite some time.
Jeremy,
Very nice, spicy, oak, some smoke and balanced malts. My first Japanese and I'm not disappointed
Winston,
This is smoky and I can definitely smell and taste the sweet aromas of caramel, vanilla really good with a few ice cubes. Goes well with a good cigar
Logan,
Enjoyed this, easy to drink and the spice wasn't too much.
Eben,
only tried once a long time ago. It was just OK. For the price, I expected more. As I recall it was just a little smokey and boring.
guest,
David,
A very nice sweet aroma caramel or vanilla perhaps ? I prefer it neat.. or opened up with a small splash of water. Ice weakens it quite a bit . So stones are a must.
David,
A little smokey on the tail end . Smells wonderful in the bottle . Smooth tastes great over a few ice cubes .
NOAH,
Drank it all with no worries.
matthew,
an disappointment, screw cap, lots of wood.
AJ,
Great nose and color. A nice hint of smoke, but an unusual alcohol burn on the finish. I like sipping it with a hoppy IPA.
Jim,
This was my first foray into Japanese whiskey. Although it had a rather pleasant sweet nose the taste was very overwhelming with oak and smoke. Not my particular taste but is by no means a bad dram. I won't buy again but am not sorry I made the purchase. On to the next one!
Chuck,
Was my first Japanese Whiskey, but had an excellent flavor and wonderful finish. Will defiantly be in my home bar.
Michael,
Nose is sweet and highly floral, with a hint of nutmeg. Flavors are not quite as sweet as the nose would indicate at first, oak being most prominent up front, with vanilla and light caramel malt. Spicy cinnamon and white pepper flavors come in strong after leading into a rather brief finish with light smoke and faint apple/pear fruit. Mouth-feel is very smooth, almost oily, easy to sip. Not quite fruity enough to stand up in the classic Japanese-style highball for my taste (mostly only wood and grain flavors come through), but a very well-balanced whisky for neat sipping.
Dave,
Nikka always puts out a quality product.
Landis,
This IS my Hibiki Harmony stand-in. Not better but more available and just as expensive.
It is NOT Hibiki and stands it's ground on it's own merit. Easy to drink on it's own or with a small ice cube. Going to be a permanent fixture in the home bar.
Steven,
Excellent from first sip to last.
Sean,
Exceptionally smooth taste.
Pat,
Not really in the favor of my palate. I tend to lean away from the smoky/oaky flavors.
Fernando,
I've tried this version with no age statement and the old that was 12 years old. Both are really good, smooth and really easy to drink. Is a very good value for the price. Highly recommended.
Amit,
boozy soy sauce aroma. Very smooth with a spicy finish $$$
Kirsten,
first time with a japanese whiskey...price too high for my taste...on that note smell is very sweet cream/spice touch of floral notes. in the moth first is sweet/floral then quickly turns to spice and vanilla, after swallowing leaves with a light leather/tobacco/smoke flavor after taste is almost cigar like. I will most likely order a higher quality japanese but not this one again
Chris,
This was my first Japanese whiskey, the scotch influences really come through but served up neat it softens it a bit. Really nice smooth and smokey peaty wonderfulness, worth a try.
Lewis,
Rich, butterscotch, smooth. "Malt whisky-flavored malt whisky" elevated. A great into to non-whisky people trying single malts. A touch too expensive.
Chris,
As a lover of cognac, this whisky is full of flavors I love: floral with some spices.
Ivan,
Not as smooth as Coffey it definitely tastes more like a scotch. It started off neat but since it was more like a scotch I added some ice which made it better. I noticed I started refilling faster. It was a bit smokey, but I enjoyed it.
Myke,
Not bad. Definite floral notes. Smooth
Dora,
It was quite good
Laura,
Wonderful flavor and taste
Smooth clean finish
Pleasant aroma
Ehren,
A fine whiskey for not too fancy occasions.
Stephan,
This is a wonderful taste
Greg,
quite smooth with an exceptional price tag
Scott,
Definitely spicy. Not as smooth as I've come to enjoy so much (i.e. the coffey malt from Nikka)
Joe,
Spiral was dead on complex flavors smooth and spicy finish made it a pleasure to savor, wonderful to sip neat leaves you wanting more
Nathan,
I thought it was a nice whiskey.... hints of vanilla and the initial taste had no bite...very smooth... very original flavor to finish.... I couldn't put my finger on the taste but nice through out the glass....I drink it neat.... I think an ice cube or two may mellow it for a first timer!! I like it just the way it is!!!
William,
Love it
Joe,
Spot on with the spiral, damn I love this one.
Anthony,
nose: sherry, plums, apples, a little smoke, vanilla, sweet cereal
palate: medium mouthfeel, a little smoke, sugar and fruit
finish: a little spice, medium finish, chocolate, coffee, something sweet (sugary)
overall: very solid whiskey with good flavors that are melded together fairly well
Matthew,
Classic. Smooth. Spicy.
Nicholas,
This is a creative blended malt. Some fruit, slight hint of smoke.
Doug,
Very upset with my order. I received it with about 3 shots worth having leaked out of the bottle. Bought it as a Christmas Gift and no one will return my messages regarding the issue. Very sad for one of my first experiences.
Eugene,
Smooth, both first taste and finish
Antti,
It is a very good, intense, Japanese blended malt, non-age-statement with a long & complex finish.
John,
Like it. Strong and heavy. Not for a novice. Flavors are intense. Malt well noted. Dry finish. Very enjoyable.
Ryan,
Very nice to sip and easy to enjoy while enjoying a night out. Not overly smokey but a good hit of spice to keep it interesting.
Jared,
Very full rounded tasting whisky. A little velvety, very good spice. Deep flavor with some dark caramel flavor
Eric,
Really smooth and easy to drink. Nice aroma and spice with a subtle sweet finish. Would drink again.
Adrian,
Classic Japanese Whiskey, very smooth; subtly sweet
Robert,
I enjoyed this quite a bit. It noses like a scotch and is smooth on the palate like a highland, but it finishes with a green apple note at the back of the tongue. It gives the warm sensation in the chest that i typically associate with bourbon. I will be getting another bottle.
John,
Constant, go to performer, hard to beat for the price
guest,
Tasted like barley and fish a little. Wasn't my favorite. Very malty is what I would describe it as.
Tom,
reminds me of an islay, particularly lagavulin 16. for 2/3 the price this is a great value for me
Patrick,
This was my first Japanese whisky and was very good. Has the taste of the oak casks and is very smooth.
Matthew,
If you like Scotch, you will like this whisky
guest,
Obviously fruity and sweet. It's smooth and a easy-drinking whisky.
David,
Excellent flavor; a bit rough in my personal opinion.
Chris,
Smooth, fruit and vanilla with a bit of spicy finish. Not overly complex. A bit of water brings out the vanilla.
Patrick,
Smooth as Silk
guest,
Beautifully smooth
Alex,
Nice and smooth. Zero burn.
Alexandra,
Tasty
Lorenzo,
This Japanese Malt is a good jumping off point for those experiencing Japanese whiskey. Nice hints of vanilla, but short finish. Good but not great.
Iano,
Delicious
John,
I tend towards smooth and heavy vanilla. While this might be great for people with different tastes, I thought it was just ok.
Kyle,
Very smooth but needs an ending. Not a whole lot of a finish
guest,
I am still new to scotch. So far I am not a big fan. But this was very smooth.
Mr.,
Not bad. Short finish and not as smokey as expected but smooth and balanced. The fruit/vanilla offers a nice finish.
Bassam,
Smooth, fruitiness, well balanced, and nice body
Patrick,
smooth but prefer the nikka 12 malt scotch more.
Klemen,
It's ok in Glencair glass. Glencairn somehow unite the flavours of this particular whisky. A bit overated, but ok.
Dwayne,
Very enjoyable, however not worth the price. If this bottle was less than $50 USD, then I would buy it more often
Dana,
I thought the aroma reminded me of marzipan and orange and the cinnamon flavor is prominent throughout. Initially spicy, but then sweet and caramel. Very nice.