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The year 2020 marks the 100th wedding anniversary of Nikka Whisky’s founder Masataka Taketsuru and his wife Rita.

In 1934, he founded Dainippon Fruit Juice Company (now Nikka Whisky Co., Ltd.). Since whiskey takes time to mature, products made from apples supported the early days of the company. This is a limited-quantity product made by finishing Yoichi and Miyagikyo, the crystallization of Taketsuru’s dream, in apple brandy barrels to express his deep respect for apples. Limited edition of 6,450 bottles.

Tasting Notes

The fruity taste of Miyagikyo is combined with the sweetness of apple brandy.

After normal aging, it is further aged for about 6 months in barrels where apple brandy was aged for more than 28 years. The fruity flavor of the single malt Miyagikyo and the sweetness of the apple brandy are combined to create a sweet aroma, yet the refreshing sweetness and soft woody astringency are in harmony.

Our Take

Miyagikyo is characterized by its sweet aroma. It has a mellow fruit sweetness and a strong apple aroma. Drink it straight and you will feel the sweetness even more. It also has a stronger vanilla flavor than Yoichi. Drinking it on the rocks, the sweetness comes to the fore even more. If you drink it on the rocks, the sweetness comes out more. Even if you drink it with soda, the sweetness does not overpower the apple aroma and sweetness. In terms of overall sweetness, Miyagikyo is by far the best. If you want to feel the apple, I would recommend the Miyagikyo without hesitation.

If you want to feel the apple, don’t hesitate to try the Miyagikyo.

(All Images Courtesy of JPWhisky.net)

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