With a history almost as long as that of Japan's oldest distillery (Yamazaki), the twin distilleries of Yoichi and Miyagikyo create a wonderful variety of styles from the rich fruit of Miyagikyo single malt to the gentle smoke of the Nikka blended whisky.
Founded
1934
Owner
Nikka
Production Status
Operational
Capacity
Over 3,000,000 Litres (across both distilleries)
After helping Shinjiro Torii (founder of Suntory) to set up Yamazaki distillery in 1929 the master blender, Masataka Taketsuru, decided to set up his own pot still on the northern island of Japan (Hokkaido). This part of Japan he chose would have be recognisable to any one who has visited Scotland with all the best things for whisky: fresh water, local barley fields and even peat and so was deemed by Taketsuru to be the perfect place to start up his Hokkaido "Yoichi" distillery. Whilst waiting for the spirit to mature, Taketsuru also made a range of apple juice and brandy under the name Nippon Kaju which was later combined into the name we know today: Nikka.
After the success of Yoichi whisky, Nikka's production was expanded with the creation of the Sendai distillery in Miyagikyo and grain distilleries in Nishinomiya and Tochgi. Since then the company has produced a wide range of different types of spirit from sweet and light to peaty and rich; from Coffey distilled malt to clear and crisp gin, so no matter your tastes there is bound to be a Nikka product to suit your palate.