Miyagikyo is the softer, more poetic side of Nikka, a distillery surrounded by misty mountains, gentle rivers, and calm air that shapes its delicate whiskies. Opening this bottle feels like stepping into that serene landscape. It carries the grace, balance, and quiet beauty that made Masataka Taketsuru choose this hidden valley as his second home for Japanese whisky.

Nikka Miyagikyo with FREE Blind Tasting Glass (Blue)
Brand: Nikka | Category: Japanese Single Malt Whisky | ABV: 45% | Origin: Miyagi Prefecture, Japan | Vol: 700ml

Tasting Profile:
Nose: Soft florals, fresh apricot, malt sweetness, and gentle vanilla, like breathing in the morning air of a garden just beginning to bloom.
Palate: Silky, fruity, and refined. Notes of peach, barley, citrus cream, light oak, and subtle spice glide effortlessly. The elegance is unmistakably Miyagikyo, smooth, expressive, and beautifully balanced.
Finish: Medium to long with lingering fruit, soft sweetness, and a gentle glow that fades clean and bright.

Production Details:
Miyagikyo whisky is crafted using steam-coil heated stills, producing a lighter and more delicate spirit compared to the coal-fired methods at Yoichi. The calm valley climate slows the maturation process, allowing fruity aromatics and floral sweetness to deepen without becoming heavy. It’s a study in balance and restraint, Japanese craftsmanship at its most graceful.

Perfect For:
A slow evening with soft music, or a peaceful moment when you want something clean, elegant, and effortlessly enjoyable. It’s the ideal pour for drinkers who appreciate subtlety over smoke.

Expert Notes:
Miyagikyo is consistently praised for its refined, fruit-forward profile. Critics admire how it showcases the gentler side of Japanese whisky, expressive, approachable, and filled with nuance. It’s often recommended as a perfect introduction to the beauty of Japanese single malts.

Customer Reviews:
“Light, fruity, and gorgeous. One of the smoothest Japanese whiskies I’ve had.”
“Elegant from start to finish. Zero harshness, all balance.”
“Perfect for relaxing evenings. Soft but never boring.”

Interesting Fact:
Taketsuru chose the Miyagikyo site after wandering the valley and tasting the local river water, he believed its purity and softness would create a completely new style of Japanese whisky, and he was right.

Serving Suggestions:
Neat shows its full fruit and floral character. A small splash of water brings out softer sweetness and extra layers of apricot and vanilla. Over one large cube, it becomes refreshing, gentle, and incredibly smooth.

Distillery Background:
Founded in 1969, Miyagikyo is Nikka’s second distillery and represents Taketsuru’s pursuit of balance and delicacy. Surrounded by forests and rivers, the distillery relies on clean mountain air, pure water, and controlled distillation to create whiskies that are soft, nuanced, and intensely drinkable. Every bottle captures the quiet beauty of the valley it calls home.