In 1918 a young man left Japan for Scotland with the dream of becoming a master whisky maker. His hands-on education at these Scottish distilleries enabled him to return to his home country with the knowledge to realise his dream and produce the first genuine Japanese whisky. That man was Masataka Taketsuru, the father of Japanese Whisky, and he would go on to found the famous Nikka label. With bottles from both their Yoichi and Miyagikyo distilleries, this Nikka Six Pillars Collector’s Box contains 6 of the most iconic whiskies from Nikka, both single malts and blended whiskies. Several of these bottles have become very rare in recent years, so this box is a must have for all lovers of Japanese Whisky. The box comes with a presentation tray and two fancy glasses. The box is styled after himitsu-bako (boxes carried by Samurais that contained secrets) and origami.
Nikka from the Barrel
Category: Blend
ABV: 51.4%
Volume: 0.5L
First released in 1985, this blend of over 100 batches of grain and malt whiskies is aged in a variety of casks including bourbon barrels, sherry butts and refill hogsheads. Bottled at 51.4%, this is full-flavoured whisky with notes of fresh fruit, spice and oak on the nose, toffee and caramel on the palate and a long, complex finish.
Nikka Pure Malt Black
Category: Blended Malt
ABV: 43%
Volume: 0.5L
This blended whisky has earthy and chocolate notes on the nose, with hints of peat as well. The palate is quite smoky with more chocolate as well as black cherry, toffee and vanilla flavours. The smoky flavours last through to the finish which is solid and rich.
Nikka Coffey Grain
Distillery: Miyagikyo
Category: Single Grain
ABV: 45%
Volume: 0.5L
Nikka’s Coffey Grain is distilled mostly from corn at the Miyagikyo distillery lending it a sweet and fruity flavour. There are notes of sweet spice, mango and papaya on the nose and the palate is full of tropical fruit flavours. The finish displays rich oak and marmalade.
Yoichi 15 Years Old
Distillery: Yoichi
Category: Single Malt
Age: 15
ABV: 45%
Volume: 0.7L
One of the highlights of this box, the Yoichi 15 Years Old has now been discontinued and is increasingly difficult to find. Light peaty flavours are rounded out by sweet notes of winter spice and caramel. A rare gem indeed!
Miyagikyo 12 Years Old
Distillery: Miyagikyo
Category: Single Malt
Age: 12
ABV: 45%
Volume: 0.7L
Hailing from Nikka’s second distillery in Miyagikyo, this whisky is aged for 12 years in oak casks. Rich and complex with hints of sherry and dried fruits on the nose. A bold, toffee palate with red fruits leads to a medium length finish.
Taketsuru 21 Years Old
Category: Blended Malt
Age: 21
ABV: 43%
Volume: 0.7L
Named after the father of Japanese whisky himself, this blended malt has been selected as the world’s best blended malt four times. An elegant and sophisticated nose, floral notes are combined with apricot and clove. On the palate, pepper and oak flavours develop into ripe peach and caramelised apple. The finish is long, with oak and vanilla. This rare find is a real tribute to Masataka Taketsuru.