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.
Miyagikyo Single Malt is a range of single malt expressions from the Miyagikyo Distillery. Nikka’s founder Masataka Taketsuru chose a valley in the Miyagi prefecture as the site for his second distillery, and started its operation in 1969. He aimed to make a complete contrast between the two distilleries, Miyagikyo and Yoichi, with different natural environments and production methods.
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