New Nikka Single Malts Coming To America

The Nikka Whisky Distilling Company and U.S. importer Anchor Distilling Company are introducing two new expressions that reflect the celebrated Japanese whisky company’s acclaimed distilleries: Yoichi Single Malt and Miyagikyo Single Malt, both non-age statement whiskies, each reflecting the particular characters of the respective distilleries. Yoichi is located on the northernmost island of Hokkaido, and Miyagikyo is near Sendai, located in the northern part of main island, Honshu. This pair should hit U.S. liquor store shelves and backbars later this month.

Considered the founding father of Japanese whisky, Masataka Taketsuru opened his first distillery, Yoichi, in 1934, located where the environs most closely resemble Scotland’s coastal distilleries, which offers briny flavor characteristics, and direct coal distillation with small pot stills is used to hark back to Scotland’s whisky production traditions, as studied by Taketsuru in 1918. Nikka’s second distillery, Miyagikyo, opened in 1969, is located in a river valley, thereby emulating the distilleries found in Scotland’s Speyside region; it employs indirect steam distillation and larger copper pot stills.

Yoichi Single Malt (NAS; 45% ABV, $79.99 SRP)

Distilled from 100% malted barley. Portions of heavily peated malt aged in New American Oak, Sherry Casks and a variety of casks coopered in the Nikka cooperages. The terroir of the distillery introduces brininess from the ocean breeze.

Miyagikyo Single Malt (NAS; 45% ABV, $79.99 SRP)

Distilled from 100% malted barley. Slightly peated with Sherry Cask influence. Aged in New American Oak, Ex-Bourbon Oak, Sherry Casks and many others, with the Sherry Casks providing a dominant flavor component. Notes of fruit and rich malts due to specifically selected yeasts.