Nikka Taketsuru 17 Year 750ml

Nikka Taketsuru 17 Year Japanese Whisky

Until the middle of the 19th century, sake was the traditional alcoholic drink of Japan, however once introduced whiskey became much sought after.

After years of failures and deciding that the only the only way to understand how to master this art, at the close of WW1 in 1918, a young Japanese man found himself on a long journey to Scotland.

Arriving on northern shores, the young buck soon falls in love. He marries this bonnie wee lass, and in 1922 takes her back home to Japan. However his enterprising employer has gone bankrupt. Securing new employment our young man toils in the beer industry but cannot put aside all he learned.

So in 1934, spurred on by his wife our man finds a suitable site, opening his own distillery recreating it faithfully in climatic conditions similar to those in Scotland. By the 1950's Nikka Yoichi Whiskey was born and to this day The Yoichi Distillery still heats its copper pot stills over coal fires.

As the 60's draw to a close, though no longer so young, our man is keen for just one more challenge, eager to experiment still. He finds a new site in different climatic conditions, where he builds a new distillery. Shying away from old traditions, instead now he uses the most recent advancements and harnesses the latest technologies. Very soon our man celebrates another successful Nikka Whiskey, named for its distillery; Miyagikyo.

At the end of his life in 1979, aged 85 our man passes away. He is The father of Japanese Whiskey, Masataka Taketsuru. He lives on and is represented well in Nikka Taketsuru a beautiful blend marrying the finest malts from both his distilleries Yoichi and Miyagikyo.

Triumphant, Nikka Taketsuru has been twice voted The Worlds Best Blended Malt Whisky and in this expression is aged for 17 years. It combines the traditional, masculine strength of Yoichi, with the elegant feminine purity and innovative precision of Miyagikyo

Enjoy the mature aroma of dried fruit, woody leather, tobacco and spice. With stunning taste and complexity Taketsuru 17 years is balanced and gracious, with a palate that is spicy in the foreground, sweetened with honeyed fruit, vanilla and chocolates and a mid range finish that brings back the woody oak, fruit and cocoa.