The Nikka Taketsuru range unites blended malts from the Yoichi and Miyagikyou distilleries. The Taketsuru 35 Year Old is the oldest available, very limited (1000 bottles) and originally reserved for the Japanese market. It contains the oldest available casks from both distilleries.
Masataka Taketsuru was sent to Scotland in 1918 to learn the secrets of whisky making. He came back with a suitcase full of luggage, and Rita Taketsuru, his Scottish wife. Both would play an important role in the development of Nikka and Japanese whisky in general.
Nikka Taketsuru 35 yo
(43%, OB 2008, 1000 btl.)
Nikka Taketsuru 35 yoNose: quite exceptional. It’s remarkably fruity and tropical (mango and passion fruits, plums, hints of raspberry and melon) and full of oak polish and waxed leather. Cinnamon and tobacco. Something slightly fragrant (bergamot and rose petals). A bit of mint. It has an Irish side, something American as well, but it’s clearly oriental too. Intruiging and highly seductive.
Mouth: again this lovely mix of mango / guava / passion fruit with fragrant bergamot. Strawberries. Something lightly rummy. Old cognac too. Very creamy and rounded considering the age. Just some exotic spices from the oak (cinnamon, soft pepper, cardamom) and a hint of citrus green tea. Maybe some light wood smoke in the background?
Finish: medium long and rather light, but fresh with the fruity green tea and mint in the lead.
It would have been great to have this at a slightly higher strength, but nonetheless this is a superb and wonderfully cosmopolitan dram, with an exceptional nose. Around € 1100 in auctions. Thanks, Bert.
Score: 92/100