Description
The Nikka whisky company was founded in 1934 by Masataka Taketsuru, with the creation of his Yoichi distillery on the island of Hokkaido. Arguably the "grandfather" of Japanese whisky, Taketsuru learned his trade studying Organic Chemistry at The University of Glasgow in 1918, before apprenticing at Longmorn, and laterally Hazelburn distilleries. With humble beginnings, producing apple juice and c ... Yoichi Single Malt is produced in the Yoichi distillery, Nikka's first distillery, built in 1934. The founder Masataka Taketsuru chose the site because of its similar environmental conditions to Scotland, where he learned whisky making. It is characterized by a rich, peaty nose and briny notes, which are derived from the distillation in direct coal-fired pot stills and the sea breeze during maturation. This Yoichi 12 Year Old was part of the brand's age-stated single malt lineup until its discontinuation in 2015 due to stock shortages. It was matured in a mix of ex-bourbon and sherry casks, showcasing bold peat smoke, coastal minerality, and refined fruit notes.