Nikka Hi Mild Blended Whiskey 39%/ 0.72l
- In the 20th Century Nikka Distilling Company, the second whisky producer in Japan, had roughly 20% of the whisky market (the leader, Suntory had almost 70%).
Product description
In the 20th century, Nikka Distilling Company held about 20% of the local market; the undisputed leader was Suntory with almost 70%.
The 1960s began the golden age of Japanese whisky producers, and in 1962 Nikka offered its premium product, Nikka Super Rare Old, priced at 3,000 yen. However, the real market hit came in 1964 and the debut of Nikka Hi. It was a so-called 2nd grade whisky (second-league whisky), blended for the local market with alcohol distilled from grain or sugar molasses and bottled at less than 40% ABV. However, the price of 500 yen was key to its success. We do not know the original formula, but it certainly contained Yoichi whisky (the distillery has been operating since 1934), and two more Nikka distilleries, the grain Nishinomiya and the malt Sendai (later Miyagikyo) began distilling in 1964 and 1969, respectively.
Nose: light, cereal, vanilla, brown sugar, citrus peel, a hint of white pepper, oak shavings and a distant hint of smoke.
Taste : slightly smoky, honeyed cereal, vanilla, caramel, baked apples, grapefruit, a pinch of ginger and pepper and a light bitterness of oak.
Finish: medium long, with notes of cereal, vanilla, apples, bananas, a touch of pepper, peat and oak.