Nikka Taketsuru Pure Malt Japanese Whisky

Product Description

Taketsuru Pure Malt: Entry Point to a Legendary Name

Nikka Taketsuru Pure Malt is named after Masataka Taketsuru, the first Japanese distiller to master whisky-making in Scotland and bring that expertise home to found Nikka. This expression, relaunched in 2020 with a refined blend and updated label, serves as the accessible entry point into the broader Taketsuru range, built to showcase the same precision in blending that Masataka himself was known for.

How Nikka Taketsuru Pure Malt Is Made

This whisky is a blended malt, a vatting of pot-still distilled malt whisky exclusively, drawn from both of Nikka's distilleries, Yoichi and Miyagikyo. The blend includes heavily peated, medium peated, and unpeated malt from both sites, aged in a variety of hand-selected casks, including sherry wood for added richness. That careful combination is designed to balance elegant softness with real complexity, along with a rich mouthfeel and gentle smokiness. It's bottled at 43% ABV.

Tasting Notes

Nose: Clean and bright, with red fruit and glazed fruit-tart sweetness, joined by spicy clove and a cherry-menthol note.

Palate: Round and pleasant, with sweet spice, cereal, and candied fruit notes.

Finish: Long and smooth, with a touch of fruit and spice.

Food Pairings

The red fruit and clove character in Taketsuru Pure Malt pairs well with a cherry tart, spiced fruitcake, or aged Gouda. Its candied fruit notes also complement shortbread or a simple almond cookie.

Serving Suggestions

Taketsuru Pure Malt is best enjoyed neat, letting its fruit and spice character fully develop, though it's smooth enough to also work well with a single ice cube for a slightly softer pour.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Masataka Taketsuru? The founder of Nikka Whisky, trained in Scotland, and widely regarded as the father of Japanese whisky.

Which distilleries contribute to this blend? Both Yoichi and Miyagikyo, using pot-still distilled malt exclusively.

What proof is this whisky? 43% ABV (86 proof).

What casks is this whisky aged in? A variety of hand-selected casks, including sherry wood for added richness.

Explore More

Looking for more from this legendary Japanese whisky house? Shop the full Nikka collection for Yoichi, Miyagikyo, and the aged Taketsuru 17 and 21 Year expressions, or browse our complete Japanese Whiskey collection for more from Japan's top distilleries.

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