Miyagikyo

Masataka Taketsuru, regarded as the "father of Japanese whisky", travelled to Scotland in his youth to learn the craft of whisky-making, and after returning in 1920 spent a decade helping Suntory establish its own whisky production. He then struck out on his own with Nikka, first founding the Yoichi distillery on Hokkaido.

Convinced that whiskies from different climates blend particularly well together, Taketsuru had a second distillery built in 1969 in a dense forest in Miyagi Prefecture – originally known as "Sendai Distillery". With Nikka Miyagikyo, you will find the core bottling of this distillery, known for its soft, "Lowland-style" character, in our selection.

Why did Nikka need a second distillery?

Masataka Taketsuru had learned the craft of whisky-making in Scotland in the 1920s and initially put his knowledge to use at Suntory from 1920, before striking out on his own with his company Nikka and founding the Yoichi distillery on Hokkaido. Yoichi's bold, smoky Highland style, however, was only one side of the whisky diversity Taketsuru was aiming for – he was convinced that whiskies from different climatic conditions blend particularly well into complex blends.

What makes the Miyagi Prefecture location so special?

In May 1969, Taketsuru had a second distillery built deep in a forest in Miyagi Prefecture, surrounded by the two clear rivers Hirose and Nikkawa – initially known as "Sendai Distillery". Unlike Yoichi's bold style, Miyagikyo produces a softer character reminiscent of Scottish Lowland malts. Together with Yoichi's malt whisky and the company's own Coffey grain whisky, Miyagikyo allows Nikka to create particularly layered blends.

The most popular bottling at a glance

1. Nikka Miyagikyo
The distillery's no-age-statement core bottling.
Taste: Soft and fruity with floral notes and subtle sweetness.
Serving suggestion: An excellent introduction to the gentler style of Japanese whisky.

Facts and figures

Location: Miyagi Prefecture, Japan. Founded: 1969 by Masataka Taketsuru. Original name: Sendai Distillery. Group: Nikka Whisky (sister distillery: Yoichi, Hokkaido).