Taketsuru 21 Years Old

Taketsuru 21 Years Old is Nikka's more mature expression of the blended malt format, combining malt whisky from Yoichi in Hokkaido and Miyagikyo in Miyagi Prefecture over a longer maturation. This 2014 event release at 46% is distinguished by a Madeira wood finish applied over the Ex-Bourbon base maturation, making it one of the more distinctly cask-influenced entries in the 21 year range.

The Madeira finish layers a characteristic sweetness of dried vine fruit, fig and a gentle wine-like acidity over the vanilla and fruit the Ex-Bourbon foundation provides. Yoichi's heavier, malt-forward character gives the blend structure, while Miyagikyo's softer, rounder side absorbs the Madeira influence particularly well, adding a fragrant lift to the extended finish.