Nikka Taketsuru 17 Year Old Pure Malt is a chiseled tribute to Masataka Taketsuru, the founding father of modern Japanese whisky. Discontinued in 2014, this mid-tier expression is a "Pure Malt"—a structural blend of Yoichi and Miyagikyo single malts without any grain whisky component. It captures the historical arc of Taketsuru’s journey, merging the peated intensity of his first distillery, Yoichi, with the elegant, unpeated fruit-forward profile of Miyagikyo.
The Technical Distinction
The Taketsuru house style is defined by a delicate balance of contrasting environments, anchored by a minimum 17-year age statement across all malt components.
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Malt Synergy: Combines Hokkaido’s coastal, peated Yoichi malt with the valley-floor, unpeated Miyagikyo malt.
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Complex Maturation: Aged in a trifecta of American ex-bourbon, Spanish sherry, and Japanese Mizunara oak casks.
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Heritage Status: One of the most sought-after discontinued age-stated releases since the Nikka inventory pivot of the mid-2010s.
Sensory Profile
Nose: Honey, dried fruit, and integrated oak. Developing layers of soft peat smoke and Mizunara sandalwood emerge alongside vanilla and dark chocolate.
Palate: Medium-to-full bodied and refined. A front of honey and ripe fruit transitions into a mid-palate of developed smoke, Miyagikyo fruit, and Mizunara incense.
Finish: Long and persistent. A signature closing of soft smoke, integrated oak, and a closing fruit-and-spice resonance.
The Vertical Anchor
Within the Taketsuru discontinued lineage (17, 21, and 25 Year), the 17 Year serves as the essential entry point for vertical collectors. It represents the pure expression of Nikka's dual-distillery philosophy at a substantial age.
"A structural masterpiece that defines the absolute peak of the peated-unpeated Japanese malt bridge."
Technical Specifications
| Distillery |
Yoichi & Miyagikyo (Nikka Whisky) |
| Style |
Blended Pure Malt (No Grain Whisky) |
| Age Statement |
17 Years (Minimum) |
| Cask Profile |
American Oak, Spanish Sherry, & Japanese Mizunara |
| Proof / ABV |
86 Proof / 43% ABV |
| Release Status |
Discontinued (2014) |
| Secondary Market |
$1,000 – $2,500 (Approximate) |
Collector Note
The Nikka Taketsuru 17 Year Old is a high-conviction acquisition for collectors of historical Japanese spirits. Given its discontinuation over a decade ago, it is increasingly rare to find bottles with pristine label integrity and original packaging. Provenance is strictly authenticated to ensure investment-grade reliability for any global library of Japanese whisky.
Recommended Serving
To honor the profound decadal integration and the Mizunara aromatics, enjoy this whisky neat in a Glencairn glass at room temperature. A few drops of water may be added to broaden the nose and unlock additional fruit complexity. Pairs peerlessly with dark chocolate, dried fruit, or aged hard cheeses.
