Nikka Super Rare Old

 

 

 

43°

Distilleries Officially Unknown - Japan

Ex-Bourbon and Sherry Casks

Original Bottling 

Core Range 

Blended Whisky 

Launched in 1962

Almost Unpeated

Masataka Taketsuru launched Nikka Super as a tribute to his late Scottish wife. From the outset, it was a huge success. But over the years, the recipe changed considerably. In 1962, Nikka had just one distillery, Yoichi. Miyagikyo was created in 1969, and the distillery's products certainly became major ingredients in Super Rare Old. In 1989, the Ben Nevis distillery became the property of the Nikka group, and its distillate was definitely included in the recipe. Finally, in 1999, Miyagikyo received the Coffey stills that had previously been at Nishinomiya. Nikka Super therefore received malt whisky and grain whisky from Miyagikyo. And Nishinomiya's share would be gradually reduced, until 2024, as the distillery closed in March this year. So the three main distilleries currently used to make Nikka Super are Miyagikyo, Ben Nevis and Yoichi, whereas only the last was used in 1962. The recipe, and therefore the taste of the product, have changed so much that a limited edition was even released in 2015, which is supposed to respect the original recipe of Super Rare Old, mainly made from Yoichi, of which I speak here. 

Let's Taste It : 

Honey and citrus fruits, lime and pineapple, ripe yellow plums, liquid caramel, melted butter and starch. Wood glue. Floral touches. Pumpkin and butternut. It's a little light on the palate, but very well done, with a good balance between fruit, honey and cereals. A few biscuits and peppery spices. Beeswax. The finish is a little short and collapses fairly quickly, but there's honey and notes of lemon, prickly pear and dwarf banana. Cola and sandalwood. A hint of chocolate.

 

In Short, 

For a blended whisky, it's really very good. You can recognise the influence of Ben Nevis, which brings its notes of honey and citrus fruit. The finish is a little disappointing though. It's a shame, the price has gone up a bit in recent years, but up until then, this was a very good, inexpensive, easy-drinking blended.

Score : 83

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           The Courteeners - The Beginning of the End