Nikka Miyagikyo Single Malt Whisky
Like I mentioned in my notes on the Nikka Taketsuru Pure Malt, we’ve gotta talk about the Miyagikyo Distillery. Starting at the 30,000-foot-view, the idea of this whisky mirrors that of the Nikka Yoichi Single Malt - single malt whisky made from a single distillery to showcase that distillery’s character.
Also like I mentioned, Taketsuru wasn’t about to get any whisky from Suntory to supplement his stocks and blends, so in order to expand and diversify he had to build another distillery. Typical Taketsuru - he looked for a place the exact opposite of Yoichi - Miyagikyo is on the coast of Sendai, humid, at the convergence of two rivers (sounds poetic but its true).
Taketsuru wasn’t satisfied with a difference in terroir, though - the pot stills at Miyagikyo are larger with more diverse shapes and Lyne arm angles, and are indirectly fired (also by steam) meaning a slower, gentler distillation and thus a richer spirit. Miyagikyo produces both grain and malt whisky, as expected. Surprisingly, the two pairs of Coffey stills Masataka imported from Scotland are located here as well (they were originally imported to the Yoichi Distillery, but were brought to Miyagikyo in 1999).
Like the Yoichi Single Malt, I love this, and for mostly the same reasons. It’s a complex expression of all the best parts of the Miyagikyo plant’s malt-making. It’s an equally great drinker to its cousin, and it’s next on my to-get Japanese whisky list (after I find that Hibiki 17…).
Side note: as of 2021, Nikka Miyagikyo Single Malt Whisky qualifies as Japanese Whisky as defined recently by the Japan Spirits & Liqueur Maker’s Association.
Nikka Miyagikyo Single Malt Whisky: Specs
Classification: Japanese Whisky
Origin: Nikka Miyagikyo Distillery
Mashbill: 100% Malted Barley
Proof: 90 (45% ABV)
Age: NAS
Location: Sendai, Japan
Nikka Miyagikyo Single Malt Whisky Price: $70
Nikka Miyagikyo Single Malt Whisky: Tasting Notes
Eye: Yellow gold. Medium rims bleed to syrupy legs.
Nose: Oak spice right away but in a great way. Light smoke under orchard fruit.
Palate: Smoky oak spice hits the tongue and leaves a light peat smoke behind. This is complex - wine and charred meatiness mix together beautifully on the tongue. Mouthfeel is medium-bodied and coating.
Finish: Drying, lots of charred wood and wine, short-to-medium length.
Overall: The best word that came to mind was “approachable” - it’s complex, but easy to drink and appreciate.
Final Rating: 7.5
10 | Insurpassable | Nothing Else Comes Close (Blanton’s Straight from the Barrel)
9 | Incredible | Extraordinary (GTS, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof B518 and B520)
8 | Excellent | Exceptional (12+YO MGP Bourbon, Highland Park Single Barrels)
7 | Great | Well above average (Blanton’s Original, Old Weller Antique, Booker’s)
6 | Very Good | Better than average (Four Roses Small Batch Select, Knob Creek 14+ YO Picks)
5 | Good | Good, solid, ordinary (Elijah Craig Small Batch, Buffalo Trace, Old Grand-Dad Bottled-in-Bond)
4 | Sub-par | Many things I’d rather have (A.D. Laws Four Grain, Compass Box “Oak Cross”)
3 | Bad | Flawed (Iron Smoke Bourbon, Balcones)
2 | Poor | Forced myself to drink it (Buckshee Bourbon and Rye)
1 | Disgusting | Drain pour (Virginia Distilling Co. Cider Cask)
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