Nikka Whisky was founded by Masataka Taketsuru, the Father of Japanese whisky. Aspiring to create “genuine” whisky in Japan, Masataka set off alone to Scotland in 1918 to gain the knowledge needed to achieve his goal. Arriving in Scotland, he enrolled at The University of Glasgow and studied chemistry, before landing an apprenticeship at three different Scotch distilleries. Filling his notebook with the wealth of information he had learned, Masataka headed back home to Japan with his wife Rita. He was immediately hired and helped build Yamazaka distillery, where he stayed for 10 years. He branched out on his own, heading north to Yoichi and building Yoichi Distillery in 1934. Yoichi’s location was chosen due to its similarities to Scotland’s climate, which was thought to be ideal for crafting whisky.
Yoichi malts are described as bold and strong with refined peaty notes and smokiness brought by the traditional direct coal-fired distillation. Sea breeze from the Ishikari Bay delivers a briny hint to the whisky during maturation.
