YOICHI - 10 years - 2023 Edition - 45%
Nikka Whiskey Distilling Company is located in Japan and was created by Masataka Taketsuru , considered the father of Japanese whiskey. He was the son of a sake brewer, and after studying chemistry at university, he trained at several Scottish distilleries before returning to Japan in 1920 with his Scottish wife, Rita. After working for the company that would become Suntory (Kotobukiya Limited) and making Japan's first whiskey, he struck out on his own, establishing the Yoichi Distillery and parent company Nikka. The company also has separate distilleries for making Shochu (alcohol made by distilling a wide variety of base ingredients, the main ones being rice, barley and sweet potato) and facilities for making cider brandy and apple wine. In 2001, Nikka was purchased by Asahi Breweries .
Yoichi Distillery was built in 1934 and started distilling in 1936. It is close to the sea, surrounded by mountains on three sides and similar to the Highlands in Scotland. A cold climate with appropriate humidity, clean and fresh air, fresh water and proximity to the sea are the distinctive characteristics of Yoichi. The sea breeze gives a salty side to the whiskey during maturation with peaty notes and smokiness from traditional direct coal distillation.
Peat