Founded by Masataka Taketsuru, the "father of Japanese whisky", who travelled to Scotland in 1918 to study, Nikka is today one of Japan's most renowned whisky producers. Under its roof, the company brings together the two single malt distilleries Yoichi (founded 1934 on Hokkaido) and Miyagikyo (founded 1969 on Honshu).
Nikka stands for great stylistic range – from bold single malts to the unusual Coffey-still whisky to award-winning blends. From the legendary Nikka from the Barrel to Nikka Miyagikyo, you will find the right bottle for every occasion in our selection.
Content: 0.5 Liter (€63.98 / 1 Liter)
Available, delivery time: 1-3 business days
Content: 0.7 Liter (€61.41 / 1 Liter)
Available, delivery time: 1-3 business days
Content: 0.7 Liter (€37.13 / 1 Liter)
Available, delivery time: 1-3 business days
Content: 0.7 Liter (€49.99 / 1 Liter)
Available, delivery time: 1-3 business days
Content: 0.7 Liter (€89.99 / 1 Liter)
Available, delivery time: 3-6 business business days
Content: 0.7 Liter (€104.27 / 1 Liter)
Available, delivery time: 3-6 business business days
Content: 0.7 Liter (€74.27 / 1 Liter)
Available, delivery time: 1-3 business days
How did a chemist become the father of Japanese whisky?
Masataka Taketsuru, born into a family that had run a sake brewery since 1733, travelled to Scotland in 1918 to study organic chemistry and the art of distilling. Back in Japan, he helped build the Yamazaki distillery for what would become the Suntory group, under founder Shinjiro Torii. In 1934, Taketsuru struck out on his own, first founding Dai Nippon Kaju Co., Ltd. – initially a fruit juice producer on Hokkaido, whose shortened name later became "Nikka". That same year, he founded the Yoichi distillery, convinced that the harsh climate of northern Japan was ideal for whisky maturation. The first Nikka whisky reached the market in 1940, and in 1952 the company officially took the name Nikka. In 1969, a second distillery, Miyagikyo, followed on the main Japanese island of Honshu.
What sets Nikka apart from other Japanese whisky houses?
With Yoichi and Miyagikyo, Nikka brings together two stylistically very different single malt distilleries under one roof, complemented by a third distinctive feature: Nikka Coffey Malt, a malt whisky distilled on a continuous Coffey still – a kind of hybrid between grain and single malt rarely found outside Japan. The portfolio also includes the Scottish Ben Nevis Distillery.
Overview of the most popular bottlings
1. Nikka from the Barrel
The legendary blend, bottled at cask strength.
Taste: Intense and multi-layered with caramel, fruit, and spice.
Serving suggestion: Neat or with a large ice cube.
2. Nikka Coffey Grain
Distilled on the classic Coffey still.
Taste: Sweet and creamy with vanilla and tropical fruit.
Serving suggestion: Especially good lightly chilled in summer.
3. Nikka Miyagikyo
The single malt from the Honshu distillery.
Taste: Soft and fruity with floral notes.
Serving suggestion: A good introduction to Japanese single malt.
Facts and figures
Distilleries: Yoichi (Hokkaido, founded 1934) and Miyagikyo (Honshu, founded 1969). Founder: Masataka Taketsuru. Company name since 1952: Nikka.