Nikka Whisky has released Nikka Frontier, a new permanent, lightly peated expression, in the UK. The whisky is available exclusively at selected Majestic stores nationwide and online from this month, priced at an RRP of £33.
The expression was developed as a tribute to the pioneering spirit and legacy of Nikka’s founder, Masataka Taketsuru.
The blend comprises 51% malt whisky, with a focus on heavily peated whiskies from Nikka’s first distillery, Yoichi, in Hokkaido. These malts bring a rich, malty aroma and pleasant smokiness, with distinctive peaty notes on the palate.
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Bottled at 48% ABV, the whisky is non-chill filtered to retain more flavors, resulting in a rich aroma and deep complexity. Its character makes it ideal for highballs and simple cocktails.
“Nikka is blessed by having the diversity of style between Miyagikyo and Yoichi,” Chris Seale, managing director at Nikka’s UK distributor Speciality Brands, told The Spirits Business. “The philosophy of the blending team has always been to showcase the very best of those two distilleries. I think Frontier plays more to the Yoichi style; it’s slightly heavier than a lot of blended whiskies with a nice smoky character, which makes it very versatile.”
Presented in a 500ml format, the bottle features the letter N on the front, taken from the corporate logo, and an embossed motif on the back.
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READ THE STORYThe embossed motif is a traditional Japanese shimenawa – a sacred rice straw festoon which is placed at the entrance to a shrine. This is a nod to Taketsuru’s family roots in sake brewing. Nikka continues this tradition, placing the shimenawa festoons over the pot stills, “wishing for safety and quality”, according to the brand.
Taketsuru set out for Scotland to master the art of whisky-making. After returning home, he blended Scottish techniques with Japanese craftsmanship, laying the foundation for authentic whisky production in Japan.
Taketsuru launched Yoichi Distillery in Hokkaido in 1934, and it remains one of the only distilleries in the world to use direct coal-fired pot stills.
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