Nikka’s Miyagikyo distillery was founded by Masataka Taketsuru 30 years after Yoichi in 1989, out of a desire to expand the scope of Nikka’s blending operations. Situated at the junction of two rivers, Miyagikyo operates different, larger pot stills than Yoichi, with a longer distillation time from indirect steam heating. Also, Nikka’s only 2 Coffey stills for grain distillation were relocated there in 1999.
Nikka Miyagikyo Sherry and Sweet / 55% / Sample
Tasted neat, then with a little bottled water
There is not much about this, except that it’s single malt — so no grain made it in — and it’s been aged in Sherry barrels for an unspecified length of time.
- Color: tawny (1.4)
- Nose: alcohol, stewed plums, moss, oloroso sherry; vanilla and milk
- Taste: soft sherry, gunpowder, bubble gum; macadamia nuts, mizunara
- Finish: the finish is long and sweet, some citrus; pine sap
This is a fairly uncomplicated sherry bomb, with also some hints of Japanese whiskey-making provenance, as it is surely a sherry-blended type NAS product, using some ex-Sherry, some imported ex-Bourbon, and domestic virgin oak casks.
If you find one for a cheap enough price, go for it! It won’t blow you away, but also, it won’t disappoint you too badly.
Rating: 80/100
