THE NIKKA NINE DECADES LIMITED RELEASE
90TH ANNIVERSARY JAPANESE WHISKY
JAPAN
Why Buy: History in a bottle, folks. Nikka's 90th anniversary release represents not just nine decades of production, but also the evolution of Japanese whisky itself. More than 50 distinct whisky batches are married in this blend, including the oldest malt reserves from both Yoichi and Miyagikyo distilleries, spanning from the 1940s to the 2020s. With only 400 bottles allocated to the entire U.S. market, this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to own a piece of whisky-making legacy.
What They're Saying: In The Robb Report's spring 2024 visit to Yoichi distillery, the publication discovered that even after 90 years, many original production methods remain unchanged — from the coal-fired stills to the iconic red pagodas that dot the grounds.
Our Tasting Notes: Tradition meets innovation, and in spectacular fashion. The blend showcases both the robustness of Yoichi's malts and the elegant refinement of Miyagikyo's, enhanced by carefully selected grain whiskies from Moji and Satsumastukasa. But make no mistake: for all its blending and elegance, the complexity here is off-the-charts. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a Japanese whisky of greater depth, layeredness, dimensionality, and nuance.
The Story: The story of Nikka is integral to the story of Japanese whisky itself. Founder Masataka Taketsuru, now revered as the father of Japanese whisky, studied in Scotland before returning home to launch Japan's whisky industry. He first built the Yamazaki distillery for Suntory, then founded Nikka in 1934. Though the company initially produced apple juice and cider under the name Dai Nippon Kaju, Taketsuru's dream was always whisky. His first release arrived in 1940, and the rest, as they say, is history.
The Specs: This blend transcends typical categorization. Drawing from six distilleries, including Scotland's Ben Nevis (owned by Nikka), it actually qualifies as a world whisky under Japan's spirits guidelines. The packaging is equally special: each bottle features Edo-bori carving, a traditional Tokyo glass-carving technique derived from Western sandblasting.
ABV: 48% (96 proof) and non chill-filtered.
Fun Fact: The distillery grounds at Yoichi still include Taketsuru's restored house, where he lived with his Scottish wife Rita while overseeing operations — a physical reminder of the cross-cultural heritage that helped birth Japanese whisky.
Our Guarantee: Remember, friends – we always buy direct and we only source direct, so you can rest assured that your whisky will arrive in your hands with pristine provenance.
*Offer NOT valid in-store. This offer is made pre-arrival, with wines estimated to be delivered to your preferred store in Winter 2024 (Dec 21, 2024 - Mar 20, 2025). All sale prices are the lowest available at Total Wine & More and ONLY valid through Concierge Sales. No further discounts or coupons may be applied. Offer only valid in CA, FL, NV, & TX. This offer will expire on Monday, November 4, 2024.