Taketsuru 21 years Nikka malt japanese whisky

The Distillery

Nikka — Pioneer of Japanese Whisky

Nikka Whisky was founded in 1934 by Masataka Taketsuru, widely regarded as the father of Japanese whisky. After studying distillation in Scotland and working alongside Shinjiro Torii at Yamazaki, Taketsuru established his own operation in Yoichi, Hokkaido — a remote coastal site chosen for its climate similarity to the Scottish Highlands. In 1969, Nikka opened a second distillery in Miyagikyo, Sendai, with a softer, more floral house style contrasting Yoichi’s heavier peat and maritime character.

The Taketsuru range, named in honour of the founder, represents Nikka’s flagship pure malt expression — a vatting of single malts from both Yoichi and Miyagikyo distilleries, blended without grain whisky. The 21-year-old bottling has been consistently recognised at international competitions and remains one of Japan’s most celebrated age-statement whiskies, balancing Yoichi’s muscular depth with Miyagikyo’s elegance.

This Expression

The Apex of Nikka’s Pure Malt Craft

Taketsuru 21 Years represents the pinnacle of Nikka’s blending philosophy, marrying carefully selected single malts from Yoichi and Miyagikyo that have matured for a minimum of 21 years. The final vatting balances sherry-cask richness with bourbon-cask vibrancy, producing a complex, layered whisky that showcases the full spectrum of Nikka’s distillation heritage. This expression is bottled at a refined strength that allows immediate appreciation while retaining depth and structure.

Tasting Profile

Provenance & Authentication

Wines & Spirits SA sources Taketsuru 21 directly from certified Nikka distributors within our network of 50+ trusted European and Asian suppliers. Every bottle is stored in our climate-controlled cellar in Zurich, maintained at a constant 14°C and 70% relative humidity with continuous monitoring. We guarantee the authenticity and provenance of this expression, providing full traceability and peace of mind for collectors building serious Japanese whisky libraries.

Collector Context

A Benchmark for Japanese Pure Malt

Taketsuru 21 has received numerous accolades including multiple Best Blended Malt awards at the World Whiskies Awards and International Spirits Challenge. Following Nikka’s discontinuation of age-statement single malts from Yoichi and Miyagikyo in 2015–2016 due to stock constraints, the Taketsuru range has become increasingly sought after as one of the few remaining age-statement expressions showcasing both distilleries’ mature stock. While not yet reaching the stratospheric prices of Karuizawa or Hanyu, Taketsuru 21 represents a compelling intersection of drinking quality and collectability — a whisky genuinely worthy of opening, yet appreciating steadily as availability tightens in global markets.

Service & Enjoyment

Taketsuru 21 rewards patience and contemplation — serve neat in a tulip glass and allow it to breathe for at least ten minutes to unlock its full aromatic complexity. This is an after-dinner whisky par excellence, pairing beautifully with dark chocolate, aged Gruyère, or simply quiet reflection. Its layered character evolves gracefully over the course of an evening, making it ideal for special occasions, milestone celebrations, or those rare moments when only the finest Japanese whisky will do.

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