Single Malt Whisky, Japan

On 8 January 1920, Nikka’s founder, Masataka Taketsuru, married Jessie Roberta Cowen, better known as Rita, in Glasgow. This year, Nikka would like to share the commemoration of this 100th wedding anniversary with you, with this limited edition. This single malt from the Miyagikyo distillery finished maturing in casks that formerly contained brandy. Apples are a powerful symbol of the Nikka story. They are a recurring theme in the relationship between Rita and Masataka. In fact she encouraged him to start his business by selling apple juice and jam while the first whiskies were ageing in the cellars.

TASTING NOTE

Color: Gold with green reflections.

Nose: Gourmet and complex. Subtle mixture of fruity (apple), vanilla, honey (acacia) and finely herbaceous (sage, verbena) notes, the first nose is a model of balance. Deep, it evolves with notes of applesauce and baked apples. It should be noted that the perfectly integrated wood brings many spices including ginger and cinnamon.

Palate: At the same time smooth and lively, the attack on the palate restores the point near all the nuances of the aromatic palette. Remarkably malty, the mid-palate shows remarkable freshness of expression. Gradually, the taste palette becomes more and more exotic (pineapple, lychee, kiwi) while acacia honey spreads all around the palate.

Finish: Long and delicious. Very finely saline, the start of the finish takes us irreparably towards herbaceous regions (cut hay) and malted whose tannins delicately shrink the taste buds. In the aftertaste, infusion notes (rosemary, mint, linden) add a floral dimension. The empty glass is empyreumatic (oak, cypress, pine).