Nikka Tasting Set Masataka & Rita 100th Wedding Anniversary Apple Brandy Wood Finish 2020 Release (30ml x 2)

Nikka Tasting Set Masataka & Rita 100th Wedding Anniversary Apple Brandy Wood Finish 2020 Release (30ml x 2)

These special releases were launched in 2020 to commemorate the 100th wedding anniversary of Nikka’s founder, Masataka Taketsuru, and his Scottish wife, Rita Cowan. The use of apple brandy casks is a poetic nod to Nikka's early history; while waiting for their first whiskies to mature at Yoichi, the company survived by producing apple juices and apple brandies.

Tasting Notes

Yoichi Apple Brandy Wood Finish (2020 Release)

Nose: A powerful marriage of savory and sweet. The signature Yoichi peat—earthy and slightly medicinal—is softened by rich aromas of baked apples, maple syrup, and vanilla bean. There is an underlying hint of roasted coffee and a touch of saltiness that balances the lush fruit.

Palate: Robust and oily. The palate leads with an intense sweetness of apple pie and honey-glazed nuts. As the smoke develops, it feels "green" and mossy, integrating beautifully with notes of cinnamon, clove, and a slight maritime tang. The apple brandy influence adds a thick, jammy texture to the mid-palate.

Finish: Long and complex. It leaves a lingering sweetness of caramelized apples and golden syrup, eventually drying out into a finish of cold peat smoke and charred oak.

Miyagikyo Apple Brandy Wood Finish (2020 Release)

Nose: Elegant, fragrant, and heavily focused on orchard fruits. It opens with fresh green apple, pear skin, and acacia honey. The floral character of Miyagikyo is heightened here, accompanied by notes of vanilla sponge cake, white chocolate, and a faint hint of sage.

Palate: Silky and refined. The palate is a bright "fruit basket" of fresh apple juice, apricots, and sultanas. The apple brandy wood provides a deeper, boozy sweetness that tastes like Calvados-soaked raisins. Gentle spices—ginger and white pepper—provide a nice contrast to the dominant honeyed profile.

Finish: Clean and uplifting. The sweetness of the apple fades into a delicate, woody spice and a touch of lemon zest, leaving the palate feeling refreshed and sweet.

Fun Fact

The choice of a 6-month finish was very deliberate. Nikka’s blenders found that because the apple brandy casks were so aromatic, a longer finishing period would have completely overwhelmed the delicate floral notes of the Miyagikyo and the nuanced peat of the Yoichi. This duration was the "sweet spot" to ensure both the distillery character and the anniversary theme were perfectly balanced.