Founded: 1934 (ESTABLISHED FACT) Location: Yoichi: Hokkaido; Miyagikyo: Sendai Founder: Masataka Taketsuru
Masataka Taketsuru left Suntory in 1934 to found his own company (Daikoku Bussan, later Nikka) and established the Yoichi Distillery in Hokkaido, choosing the location for its Scottish-like climate. Miyagikyo followed in 1969. Nikka produces malt, grain, and blended whiskies. (source: Wikipedia)
Signature style: Yoichi: bold, slightly peaty, with apple and salty notes. Miyagikyo: fruity, floral, lighter. Nikka From the Barrel: rich, full-bodied blend.
Famous expressions: Nikka From the Barrel, Nikka Coffey Grain, Yoichi 10/12 Year, Miyagikyo 12 Year, Nikka Days.
Trivia: Masataka Taketsuru’s wife Rita Cowan, a Scottish woman he married while studying in Glasgow, moved to Japan with him and is a well-known figure in Japanese whisky history. — ESTABLISHED FACT