It might be hard to believe but your favourite house pour is turning 40 this year!

That's right! The uber stylish (well, it was designed by Taku Satoh who is also responsible for Japanese fashion house Issey Miyake's iconic pleats) whisky from Nikka was indeed first released in 1985, the brainchild of Takeshi Taketsuru, nephew of Nikka's legendary founder, Masataka Taketsuru. Taketsuru had helmed Nikka as its Master Blender and had wanted to bring to fans the experience of what a professional whisky blender got to enjoy - a full flavoured whisky straight from the barrel. The iconic whisky, with its muscular shoulders, stoic rectangular shape and short neck, was thus released in 1985 commemorating Takeshi-san's appointment as Nikka Whisky's President.

The whisky expression has since become beloved for its strong flavours, great design and fantastic value for money.

| Read: [Whisky Review] Nikka Whisky From The Barrel

It's well known by now that the whisky is a blend of Nikka's two key Japanese distilleries, Yoichi and Miyagikyo, as well as Nikka's Scottish outpost, the Ben Nevis Distillery - all equally well respected distilleries in their own right! 

And so for its 40th Anniversary, it appears that Nikka is giving us something extra special - this is the Nikka Whisky From The Barrel Extra Marriage!

Nevertheless it's worth pointing out that this 40th Anniversary Limited Edition comes bottled at the same proof as the standard expression, that is 51.4% ABV.

It remains to be seen what does differ with the contents inside - but for now let's give a little cheer when we're sipping our favourite house pour!