Nikka New Arrivals From Edencroft!

Nikka / Pure Malt Black

Summary: Country/Region: Japan.
Unit: 50cl
Alc: 43%
History: Nikka was founded by Masataka Taketsuru, widely acknowledged as the father of Japanese whisky. Taketsuru travelled to Scotland in 1918 to learn how to make malt whisky, returning to Japan in 1920 and soon afterwards was employed by Suntory to establish the Yamazaki whisky distillery. In 1934 he set up on his own, building a distillery at Yoichi in Hokkaido. The company flourished, and celebrated its 80th anniversary in 2014. Now known as The Nikka Whisky Distilling Co. it has two main malt whisky distilleries at Yoichi and Miyagikyo and numerous bottling plants in Japan.
Production: Nikka produces three 100% malts – these used to be known as ''Vatted Malts'', but now officially described as ''Blended Malts''. Pure Malt Black is a blend of whiskies from Nikka''s two very different distilleries – the fruity soft and elegant malts from Miyagikyo and the stronger smokier notes typical of Yoichi. While it is a blend, Black uses malts made at the Yoichi distillery, established in 1934 and it produces a rich, peaty and masculine malt from pot stills. The whisky gets much of this character from the design of the stills and particularly from the effect of direct heating of the stills using powdered coal – this very traditional method is hardly used today, even in Scotland most modern distilleries use gas or steam.
Tasting note: Fresh, clean, initially not too smoky, then richer notes of peat and vanilla on the nose. Smoke, then malty sweetness, toffee on the palate, floral then firmer, woody leading to faint medicinal notes on the finish.

Nikka / Pure Malt White

Summary: Country/Region: Japan.
Unit: 50cl
Alc: 43%
History: Nikka was founded by Masataka Taketsuru, widely acknowledged as the father of Japanese whisky. Taketsuru travelled to Scotland in 1918 to learn how to make malt whisky, returning to Japan in 1920 and soon afterwards was employed by Suntory to establish the Yamazaki whisky distillery. In 1934 he set up on his own, building a distillery at Yoichi in Hokkaido. The company flourished, and celebrated its 80th anniversary in 2014. Now known as The Nikka Whisky Distilling Co. it has two main malt whisky distilleries at Yoichi and Miyagikyo and numerous bottling plants in Japan.
Production: The Nikka Pure Malt range comprise of combinations of malt whiskies made at both of Nikka''s Yoichi and Miyagikyo distilleries. The series of blended or vatted malts were released to demonstrate not only the quality of the whiskies from each distillery but also the skill and precision of the Nikka blending team. Pure Malt Red is produced using primarily whisky from Miyagikyo, known for its fresh and fruity single malts.
Tasting note: Intense smoke and peaty aromas dominate, together with subtle salty and vegetal notes. A whisky for those who want a strong peaty character – this will satisfy even the boldest whisky drinker.