Nikka Miyagikyo Single Malt Japanese Whisky 700ml @ 45% abv

Whisky is big business in Japan with Scotch whisky being especially popular, yet with their own history of brewing and sake production, it's only logical that the Japanese are now making whisky too. What began as a conscious imitation of Scotch, now has a style all of its own, and since commercial production began in the early 20th century, the quality has been steadily improving.

Today, most of the malt whisky produced in Japan is for blending but Japanese distillers generally don't trade casks in the manner that Scottish distillers do. Consequently, it's up to each distillery to produce a diversity of styles that will form the base components of 'house blends' that offer unique and complex flavour profiles. Some Japanese blends will even include a percentage of Scotch whisky, rather than whisky from rival local distillers. This jealous reluctance to exchange is considered one of the major obstacles holding the industry back from the prominence it deserves: In a number of blind tastings recently organised by Whisky Magazine, which have included Japanese single malts in the lineup along with malts from distilleries considered to be among the best in Scotland, on more than one occasion, the results have had Japanese single malts scoring higher than their Scotch counterparts.

After a long absence from the Australian market, we've finally managed to secure some world class Japanese whiskies from the Nikka distillery, Japan’s second largest whisky producer after Suntory. Now owned by the brewer Asahi, the company was originally set up by Masataka Taketsuru, who built Yoichi distillery in 1934, having previously spent two years studying the art of distilling in Scotland. (He also developed the now famous 'Yamazaki' distillery in Kyoto for Suntory which he managed for ten years).

The Miyagikyo Distillery is Nikka's second distillery and was built in 1969 after Taketsuru came upon the site, completely enclosed by mountains and sandwiched between the Shin and Hirose rivers. The areas fresh water and crisp air produce soft and mild malt, while the humidity is considered perfect for spirit maturation. At present eight stills are in operation.

Tasting note: Bright gold colour with a pale straw hue. Pristine, fresh notes of mouthwatering barley combine with juicy, estery aromas, in particular banana confectionary. There's also a discreet, sweet smokey base to the aroma. A sexy sniff. The nose repeats on the palate, only spice and smoke make a more substantial presence. Soft, warming spirit. Excellent balance. Long aftertaste of cereals, spice and lanolin. Finishes dry and peppermint like. Eminently drinkable whisky. 45% Alc./Vol.

Other reviews... The nose offers little to encourage, but the sweetened softness of delivery is delicious; there is even a swirl of smoke on the finish to add weight.