Nikka: The Journey of a Japanese Whisky Pioneer
Nikka: The Journey of a Japanese Whisky Pioneer
Nikka Whisky is a Japanese whisky distillery founded in 1934 by Masataka Taketsuru, a pioneer in the Japanese whisky industry. Taketsuru was a chemist who studied whisky production in Scotland and brought his knowledge back to Japan to establish his own distillery.
The Birth of Nikka Whisky: Masataka Taketsurus Vision
Masataka Taketsuru was born in 1894 in Takehara, Hiroshima. He developed a keen interest in chemistry at an early age and went to Scotland to study organic chemistry at the University of Glasgow. While in Scotland, Taketsuru became fascinated by the whisky industry and spent time working at several distilleries, including Hazelburn and Longmorn.
In 1920, Taketsuru returned to Japan and joined the Kotobukiya Company, which was planning to establish a whisky distillery. Taketsuru was put in charge of the project and oversaw the construction of the distillery in Yamazaki, near Kyoto. The distillery was completed in 1924 and began producing whisky the following year.
The Founding of Nikka Whisky: A New Era of Japanese Whisky
In 1934, Taketsuru left Kotobukiya and founded his own distillery, Nikka Whisky, in Yoichi, Hokkaido. Taketsuru chose Yoichi because of its cold climate and abundant natural water, which he believed were ideal for producing high-quality whisky.
The Nikka Whisky distillery began producing whisky in 1937 and quickly gained a reputation for producing some of the best whisky in Japan. Taketsurus whiskies were praised for their smooth, well-balanced flavor and their use of traditional Scottish techniques.
The Post-War Years: Rebuilding and Expansion
During the Second World War, Nikka Whiskys production was severely curtailed due to a shortage of raw materials. However, after the war, the company quickly rebuilt and expanded its operations. In 1952, Nikka Whisky opened a second distillery in Miyagikyo, Miyagi Prefecture. The Miyagikyo distillery produced a lighter, more delicate whisky than the Yoichi distillery, and the two distilleries together gave Nikka Whisky a wide range of whiskies to offer to its customers.
The Nikka Whisky Range
Nikka Whisky produces a wide range of whiskies, including single malts, blended whiskies, and grain whiskies. The companys flagship single malts are the Yoichi and Miyagikyo whiskies, which are both highly acclaimed for their quality. Nikka Whisky also produces a number of blended whiskies, including the Nikka Black, Nikka Gold, and Nikka From the Barrel whiskies, which are all popular for their smooth, well-balanced flavor.
Nikka Whisky: A Global Brand
Nikka Whisky is now one of the largest whisky producers in Japan and its whiskies are exported to over 100 countries around the world. The companys whiskies have won numerous awards over the years and have been praised by critics and consumers alike.
The Nikka Whisky Heritage Centre
In 2001, Nikka Whisky opened the Nikka Whisky Heritage Centre in Yoichi, Hokkaido. The center provides visitors with an opportunity to learn about the history of Nikka Whisky and the process of whisky production. Visitors can also sample a variety of Nikka Whisky products at the centers tasting bar.
The Nikka Taketsuru Pure Malt
The Nikka Taketsuru Pure Malt is a blend of single malts from the Yoichi and Miyagikyo distilleries. The whisky is named after Masataka Taketsuru, the founder of Nikka Whisky. The Nikka Taketsuru Pure Malt is a smooth, well-balanced whisky with a complex flavor profile.
The Nikka Black
The Nikka Black is a blended whisky made from a combination of malt and grain whiskies. The whisky is aged for a minimum of 5 years and is bottled at 40% ABV. The Nikka Black is a smooth, well-balanced whisky with a light, fruity flavor.
The Nikka Gold
The Nikka Gold is a blended whisky made from a combination of malt and grain whiskies. The whisky is aged for a minimum of 12 years and is bottled at 40% ABV. The Nikka Gold is a smooth, well-balanced whisky with a rich, full-bodied flavor.
The Nikka From the Barrel
The Nikka From the Barrel is a blended whisky made from a combination of malt and grain whiskies. The whisky is aged
