Nikka Taketsuru 21 yo

 

 

 

43°

Distilleries : Yoichi, Miyagikyo - Japan

Bourbon and Sherry Casks

Original Bottling 

Core Range 

Blended Malt

Launched in 2001

Slightly Peated 

 

 

 

It is important to know about Masataka Taketsuru's life if you are even remotely interested in whisky. How this eager and hard-working young man went into business, how he left for Scotland just after the First World War, the Scottish woman he married who died prematurely, leaving him forever bereaved and throwing himself into his work. The two distilleries he founded, Yoichi and Miyagikyo, are the ones used for this Blended Malt created in his honour. He died in 1979, so the first Taketsuru 21 yo, launched in March 2001, was probably distilled during his lifetime. It is considered one of the best blends in the world, having been crowned the world's best whisky in its category four times at the World Whisky Awards. There is also the Taketsuru 25 Year Old, the 17 Year Old and the non-age-statement, but it is the 21 Year Old that is most easily remembered by the public and which fuels the legend. These three aged Taketsuru whiskies were discontinued in March 2020.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Pastry cream and peanut butter, apples cooked with a pinch of cinnamon, dried fruit, raisins, prunes, apricots, candied lemon, grapefruit zest, melting caramel, toffee and dark chocolate, a few coffee beans. In the background, a hint of coarse salt, mineral notes, limestone, gypsum, light and captivating peat, soot, dry earth. On the palate, sour oranges, salty notes and green liquorice, ginger, elegant but slightly insistent wood. Discreet spices, nutmeg, black pepper. Fairly long finish, chocolatey, with a trace of charcoal, walnuts and hazelnuts, a mint leaf.

 

In Short, 

The nose is the most interesting aspect, but it lacks a little depth and balance. The palate and finish are good but not particularly original. Another one of those overrated Japanese products that have reached ridiculous prices. Sure, it's good, but it's not that balanced, and there are some minor flaws. It is indeed much better than the vast majority of blends, but it is not as good as a good single malt. Perhaps, in the end, it would have been better not to taste it, dreaming of a great blend is always better than experiencing this disappointment.

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

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