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HISTORY

Nikka Whisky's History

From Dai Nippon Kaju to NIKKA WHISKY, and then to NIKKA in the world.
"I want to make good whisky" Masataka Taketsuru’s desire has been passed down through generations.

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History of the Company and Products
History of the Company
History of the Products

1934-1951 Foundation, a Time of Hope and Hardship: The predecessor of Nikka Whisky, Dai Nippon Kaju was founded and Yoichi Distillery was completed. Six years later, they launched the long-awaited first bottle of "Nikka Whisky" which was highly regarded for its quality. However, during the chaotic post-war period, they struggled with the era's economic difficulties. Masataka, bearing his frustration, released a more affordable whisky which met the consumers demand to help overcome tough financial conditions.

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Company History

Product History

1952-1968 The Birth of Nikka’s Signature Brands: The company headquarters moved to Tokyo, and the company name was changed to "Nikka Whisky" in 1952, Asahi Breweries supported with investment to the company, allowing it to expand production facilities. The Coffey still was introduced at the Nishinomiya factory, and a new factory (Kashiwa factory) was built to meet the increasing demand for whisky. During this period, signature brands that continue to this day, such as "Black Nikka", "Super Nikka" and "Hi-Nikka" were born.

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Product History

1969-1988 Creating Unique and Diverse Flavours: Nikka's second distillery, Miyagikyo Distillery was completed, leading to the release of a variety of blended whiskies with distinctive flavors. In the 1980s, unique characteristic products such as "Single Malt Hokkaido", "Pure Malt," and "From The Barrel" were born. From the late 1970s, the distilleries started actively welcoming visitors for distillery tours.

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Product History

1989-2000 Challenging Against the Wind: With the amendment of Japan's Liquor Tax Law in 1989 and the collapse of the economy, demand for whisky in Japan has declined. In 1997, NIKKA launched "Black Nikka Clear Blend", focusing on a more easy to drink taste through the use of non-peated malt. In 2000, they released "Taketsuru Pure Malt 12 Years" at a price range of 2,000 yen. Both products were a challenging norm 12 Years Old in the industry at the time.

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Company History

Product History

2001-2013 To Worldwide: In 2001, "Single Cask Yoichi 10 Years Old" received the highest score in a world whisky competition, which was the greatest feat ever for a Japanese Whisky. Furthermore, brands such as Taketsuru continuously won numerous international competitions from 2007. With growing popularity for Japanese Whisky internationally, Nikka's production has been rising since 2008.

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Company History

Product History

2014- Inheriting for the Future: The TV drama "Massan" was broadcasted in Japan from September 2014 to March 2015, which is the story of the lives of Masataka Taketsuru and his wife, Rita. This brought Nikka Whisky’s history and passion for whisky-making to a wider audience, raising more popularity. In 2021, the buildings at Yoichi Distillery were designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan by the Agency for Cultural Affairs. As reputation continues to grow for both domestically and internationally, Nikka continues to expand and enhance its facilities, inheriting the spirit of Masataka Taketsuru to the future.

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Company History

Product History

1934-1951
1952-1968
1969-1988
1989-2000
2001-2013
2014-

History of the Company

History of the Products

1934-1951 Foundation,
a Time of Hope and Hardship

1934: Dai Nippon Kaju Co., Ltd, the predecessor of Nikka Whisky, was established on July 2. In October of the same year, construction of the Yoichi Distillery was completed.

1935: Nikka Apple Juice Launch

1936: Started manufacturing whisky and brandy.

1938: Nikka Apple Wine Launch

1940: The first Nikka Whisky and Nikka Brandy Launch

1943: Masataka Taketsuru, appointed as President.

1949: Takeshi Taketsuru, who was Masataka's nephew and adopted son, joins Nikka Whisky.

1950: Special Blend Whisky Launch

1952-1968 The Birth of Nikka’s Signature Brands

1952: The company name changed to
THE NIKKA WHISKY DISTILLING Co., LTD.
from Dai Nippon Kaju Co., Ltd.
Tokyo Plant completed (Azabu, Tokyo).

1956: Black Nikka Launch

1959: Nishinomiya Plant completed (Hyogo).

1960: Hirosaki Plant completed (Aomori).

1961: Rita Taketsuru passed away (64 years old).

1962: Super Nikka Launch

BRAND SITE

1963: Coffey still installed at the Nishinomiya Plant.

1964: Hi-Nikka Launch

BRAND SITE

1965: Black Nikka blended with Coffey Grain Launch

1967: New Tokyo Plant completed (The current Kashiwa Plant).

1968: Gold & Gold - G&G Launch

1969-1988 Creating Unique and Diverse Flavours

1969

Miyagikyo Distillery completed
(Sendai, Miyagi prefecture).

Asahi's Cidre business transfered to Nikka Whisky.

1972: Nikka Cidre Launch

1976: Tsuru , Masataka Taketsuru's last blend, Launch

1977: Tochigi Plant completed.

1979: Masataka Taketsuru passed away (85 years old).

1984: Pure Malt Launch

1985

From The Barrel Launch

BRAND SITE

Development of draft cidre, limited launch in Hokkaido and Aomori prefecture. National launch in 1988.

1989-2000 Challenging Against the Wind

1989: Ben Nevis Distillery in Scotland joins Nikka Whisky.
Launch of Scotch Whisky, Ben Nevis.
Dom Pierre Distillery in France joins Nikka Whisky.

1989: Yoichi Single Malt 12 Years Old and Single Malt Sendai-Miyagikyo 12 Years Old Launch

BRAND SITE

1997: Black Nikka Clear Blend Launch

BRAND SITE

1999: Coffey stills transferred to Miyagikyo Distillery.

2000: Taketsuru Pure Malt 12 Years Old Launch

BRAND SITE

2001-2013 To Worldwide

2001: BEST OF THE BEST The World's Best
"Yoichi Single Cask 10 Years Old"

2001: Nikka Whisky joins Asahi Breweries, Ltd.

2002: The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS), an international organization for Scotch malt whisky enthusiasts, has recognized Yoichi Distillery as Japan's first certified malt whisky distillery.

2006: Moji Plant joins Nikka Whisky.

2010: The first host of the bartending competition "Nikka Perfect Serve".

2011: Satsuma Tsukasa Distillery joins Nikka Whisky.

2012: Nikka Coffey Grain pre-launched in Europe.

BRAND SITE

2014- Inheriting for the Future

2014: TV drama "Massan" based on the story
of Masataka Taketsuru and Rita Taketsuru,
was broadcasted nationally on NHK for 6 months.
(Sept 2014 ～ March 2015)

2014

Nikka Coffey Malt pre-launched in Europe.

BRAND SITE

The Nikka 12 Years Old Launch

BRAND SITE

2017: Nikka Coffey Gin and Nikka Coffey Vodka Launch

BRAND SITE

2020: Nikka Session Launch

BRAND SITE

2021: 10 buildings at the Yoichi Distillery have been
designated as Japan’s "Important Cultural Properties"
by the Agency for Cultural Affairs.

2021: The first release of the NIKKA DISCOVERY series
Yoichi Single Malt Non-Peated and
Miyagikyo Single Malt Peated.

2022: Address of Head Office registered to Yoichi, Hokkaido.

2022

Yoichi Single Malt 10 Years Old limited edition released.

The second release of the NIKKA DISCOVERY series
Yoichi Single Malt AROMATIC YEAST and Miyagikyo Single Malt AROMATIC YEAST released.

2023: The third release of the NIKKA DISCOVERY series
Nikka The Grain Whisky released.

2024: Celebrating the 90th Anniversary of Nikka Whisky.

2024

Nikka Whisky's 90th anniversary limited edition,
The Nikka Nine Decades released.

BRAND SITE

Nikka Frontier Launch

BRAND SITE

1934-
1952-
1969-
1989-
2001-
2014-

1934-1951 Foundation,
a Time of Hope and Hardship

1934: Dai Nippon Kaju Co., Ltd, the predecessor of Nikka Whisky, was established on July 2. In October of the same year, construction of the Yoichi Distillery was completed.

1936: Started manufacturing whisky and brandy.

1943: Masataka Taketsuru, appointed as President.

1949: Takeshi Taketsuru, who was Masataka's nephew and adopted son, joins Nikka Whisky.

1952-1968 The Birth of Nikka’s Signature Brands

1952: The company name changed to THE NIKKA WHISKY DISTILLING Co., LTD.from Dai Nippon Kaju Co., Ltd.
Tokyo Plant completed (Azabu, Tokyo).

1959: Nishinomiya Plant completed (Hyogo).

1960: Hirosaki Plant completed (Aomori).

1961: Rita Taketsuru passed away (64 years old).

1963: Coffey still installed at the Nishinomiya Plant.

1967: New Tokyo Plant completed (The current Kashiwa Plant).