Nikka’s Refined Taketsuru Pure Malt Showcases A Fine Japanese Whisky Blending

The Nikka Whisky Co., founded by Masataka Taketsuru, has two Japanese distilleries it makes use of in producing whisky – the Yoichi Distillery on the island of Hokkaido, and Miyagikyo, built on the island of Honshu in the foothills of the Miyagi prefecture, in the Northern part of Honshu. Styles between the two can contrast, which is why it is interesting to see what’s been called “a refined blend” coming from Nikka to US shores that brings these two together.

The Taketsuru Pure Malt, according to those behind it, was named after the company’s founder. It is said of this blended expression of 100% malt whiskies, which has been refined, that “the influence of ex-sherry casks remains as the key profile, but the enhanced presence of Yoichi’s malt characteristics helps to further enrich the mouthfeel and smokiness, providing even greater depth and balance to the resulting blend.”

“The refined Taketsuru Pure Malt is an exciting evolution of our founder’s namesake blend,” said Emiko Kaji, Nikka Whisky international business development manager, in a prepared statement. “We have refined the formula and design to represent both sides of Masataka’s personality, being a disciplined craftsman and a person of curiosity and open-mindedness.

“We hope this expression will be enjoyed by connoisseurs and storytellers seeking high quality whiskies with rich stories behind.”

This whisky sports a new packaging design, with its label representing what’s said to be “both sides of Nikka’s founder, inheriting the serious and traditional elements from the previous design, while also incorporating the modern and playful side of Masataka Taketsuru. Patterns of bamboo (take) leaves and crane (tsuru) birds are also elegantly depicted.”

Taketsuru Pure Malt is bottled at 43% ABV and priced at around $80 per 750 ml bottle. It is being imported by San Francisco’s Hotaling & Co. and is available beginning this month.