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Father of Japanese Whisky

Imagine if the Father of Japanese Whisky, Masataka Taketsuru, was still alive today. What would his ambition be?

“Go share our whisky with the world”

Masataka Taketsuru dreamed of making authentic whisky in Japan. Crossing oceans in pursuit of this dream, he became the first Japanese to study whisky in Scotland before eventually establishing Nikka.

Masataka Taketsuru’s pioneering spirit is the source of our inspiration. Challenging convention, we created the extraordinary Taketsuru Pure Malt in his name.

Scroll down *Taketsuru Pure Malt is crowned with the name of Taketsuru Masataka, the Father of Japanese Whisky.

Blending the Dream

We set ourselves a challenge: to create a pure malt even smoother than the finest blended whiskies. Where grain whisky is typically light and approachable, malt whisky offers richness and complexity. Blended whiskies often rely on grain whisky for smoothness, but pure malts have no such option. Our blenders couldn’t take the orthodox, grain-whisky route. Like our founder, Masataka Taketsuru, we took the road less travelled in pursuit of an unlikely dream. Yoichi and Miyagikyo are two very different distilleries, and each has a signature style that reflects its environment. Surrounded by snow, Yoichi echoes Scotland, while misty Miyagikyo lies deep in a Japanese valley. We coaxed harmony from the clash of Yoichi’s robust malts and Miyagikyo’s elegance. This is Taketsuru Pure Malt — a malt at once spectacular and delicately smooth.

Tasting Notes

Nikka’s blenders have a wealth of wisdom to draw upon. Capturing the nuances of both Yoichi and Miyagikyo’s distinctive malts, we carefully crafted a pure malt that speaks with one voice. Our blend is based on key malts: sherry cask maturations from Yoichi and Miyagikyo, as well as remade cask malts from Miyagikyo. Fruity and floral on the nose. Silky on the palate. The profound sweetness and richness of malt, followed by a lovely finish that lingers... Taketsuru Pure Malt is a composition of diverse aromas and flavors in coexistence — savor its extraordinary harmony.

Aroma

Fresh, bittersweet fruits
such as apple and apricot.
Oak notes of toast and vanilla.

Palate

The fruitiness of banana and navel orange.
A light yet layered character,
rich with malt and a deep, dense peatiness.

Finish

A sweet, slightly bitter dark chocolate
finish plays on pleasantly
with mellow oak and peat notes.

World-class Quality

Taketsuru Pure Malt represents the pinnacle of Nikka’s pursuit of fine whisky in Japan. Since receiving top honors at the World Whiskies Awards in 2007, it has continued to earn accolades and captivate whisky lovers around the world.

Awards

World Whiskies Awards
  • 2023 Taketsuru Pure Malt World Best Blended Malt Whisky
  • 2019 Taketsuru 25 Years Old Pure Malt World Best Blended Malt Whisky
  • 2018 Taketsuru 17 Years Old Pure Malt World Best Blended Malt Whisky
  • 2015 Taketsuru 17 Years Old Pure Malt World Best Blended Malt Whisky
  • 2014 Taketsuru 17 Years Old Pure Malt World Best Blended Malt Whisky
  • Taketsuru Pure Malt Best Japanese Blended Malt Whisky
  • Taketsuru 25 Years Old Pure Malt Best Japanese Blended Malt Whisky
  • 2013 Taketsuru 12 Years Old Pure Malt Best Japanese Blended Malt Whisky
  • Taketsuru 17 Years Old Pure Malt Best Japanese Blended Malt Whisky
  • 2012 Taketsuru 17 Years Old Pure Malt World Best Blended Malt Whisky
  • Taketsuru 12 Years Old Pure Malt Best Japanese Blended Malt Whisky
  • Taketsuru 21 Years Old Pure Malt Best Japanese Blended Malt Whisky
  • 2011 Taketsuru 21 Years Old Pure Malt World Best Blended Malt Whisky
  • 2010 Taketsuru 21 Years Old Pure Malt World Best Blended Malt Whisky
  • Taketsuru 12 Years Old Pure Malt Best Japanese Blended Malt Whisky
  • 2009 Taketsuru 21 Years Old Pure Malt World Best Blended Malt Whisky
  • 2008 Taketsuru 21 Years Old Pure Malt Best Japanese Blended Malt Whisky
  • 2007 Taketsuru 21 Years Old Pure Malt World Best Blended Malt Whisky
International Spirits Challenge
  • 2024 Taketsuru Pure Malt GOLD
  • 2022 Taketsuru Pure Malt GOLD
  • 2020 Taketsuru Pure Malt GOLD
  • 2019 Taketsuru 25 Years Old Pure Malt TROPHY (Top Prize)
  • Taketsuru 21 Years Old Pure Malt GOLD
  • Taketsuru 17 Years Old Pure Malt GOLD
  • 2018 Taketsuru 21 Years Old Pure Malt GOLD
  • Taketsuru Pure Malt GOLD
  • 2017 Taketsuru 25 Years Old Pure Malt GOLD
  • 2016 Taketsuru Pure Malt GOLD
  • 2014 Taketsuru Pure Malt GOLD
  • Taketsuru 21 Years Old Pure Malt GOLD
  • 2012 Taketsuru 21 Years Old Pure Malt GOLD
  • 2010 Taketsuru 21 Years Old Pure Malt GOLD
  • 2009 Taketsuru 21 Years Old Pure Malt TROPHY (Top Prize)
  • 2008 Taketsuru 21 Years Old Pure Malt GOLD
  • Taketsuru 17 Years Old Pure Malt GOLD
  • Taketsuru 12 Years Old Pure Malt GOLD
  • 2006 Taketsuru 21 Years Old Pure Malt GOLD

Never Ending Dream

Masataka Taketsuru dreamed of making authentic whisky in Japan. At a time when whisky-making expertise was scarce in his homeland, he crossed oceans, overcame setbacks, and eventually built a distillery of his own. Though hailed as the Father of Japanese Whisky, he never had the chance to share Nikka whisky with the wider world. Today, our whisky is shaped by Japan’s natural environment and its spirit of craftsmanship. It has the power to move people, wherever they are. We believe dreams are meant to evolve. Inspired by Masataka Taketsuru’s pioneering spirit, we now carry his legacy forward — bringing Nikka whisky from Japan to the world, and into the future.

Dreams are meant to evolve.
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