Nikka Miyagikyo Single Malt

Product Description

Miyagikyo: The Gentler Side of Nikka

Nikka Miyagikyo Single Malt comes from Nikka's second distillery, built in 1969 near Sendai after founder Masataka Taketsuru had already spent 35 years making whisky at Yoichi. Taketsuru designed Miyagikyo specifically to produce a very different style of spirit, using tall, narrow-necked pot stills built for a high level of reflux, yielding a gentler, more delicate character than Yoichi's more robust output. This non-age-statement release replaced the distillery's previous age-stated expressions and now serves as Miyagikyo's flagship core bottling.

How Nikka Miyagikyo Single Malt Is Made

This whisky is distilled from 100% malted barley and matured primarily in ex-sherry casks, with some ex-bourbon influence rounding out the blend. That combination of unpeated and lightly peated malt gives Miyagikyo its signature floral, fruity character, closer in style to old-school Speyside Scotch than to the punchier, coastal whiskies from Yoichi. It's bottled at 45% ABV.

Tasting Notes

Nose: Fresh fruit and floral notes, banana, apricot, pear, and apple, with a touch of oak and light char.

Palate: Smooth and semi-sweet, with peach, honeyed malt, almond, cinnamon, clove, and a touch of caramel.

Finish: Warm and lingering, with malted barley sweetness and gentle spice.

Food Pairings

The fruity, floral character in Miyagikyo pairs well with grilled seafood, roasted poultry, or a light vanilla panna cotta. Its almond and caramel notes also complement almond biscotti or a fruit tart.

Serving Suggestions

Miyagikyo Single Malt is best enjoyed neat to fully appreciate its delicate, floral character, making it an ideal choice for fans of Speyside-style Scotch. It's also a smooth, approachable entry point for those new to Japanese single malt.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is Miyagikyo different from Yoichi? Miyagikyo is lighter, fruitier, and more floral, while Yoichi tends toward a bolder, more coastal, peated character.

What casks is this whisky aged in? Primarily ex-sherry casks, with some ex-bourbon influence.

What proof is this whisky? 45% ABV (90 proof).

Where is Miyagikyo made? At Nikka's Miyagikyo distillery, built in 1969 near Sendai, Japan.

Explore More

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

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