Making it to 90 years is a feat — whether person or brand. Nikka Whisky just turned 90, and to celebrate, the Japanese whisky maker has released The Nikka Nine Decades. This limited-edition blend features whiskies from each decade between the 1940s and the 2020s, sourced from all six of Nikka’s distilleries, including the renowned Ben Nevis Distillery in Scotland.
This blend serves as a tribute to Nikka’s legacy and heritage. It includes more than 150 meticulously selected whisky batches, from the oldest malts at the Yoichi and Miyagikyo Distilleries to newer grain whiskies from Moji and Satsumatsukasa, and well-aged grains from Nishinomiya, all expertly woven together.
“The number of whiskies accumulated since the establishment of the company is tremendous, with an age gap of nearly 90 years,” said Nikka’s Chief Blender, Hiromi Ozaki. “I selected whiskies with outstanding characteristics among our reserves for this blend, pursing the optimal balance from a broader view, to achieve an overall harmony with a rich sense of breadth and depth.”
The bottle itself is also a work of art, crafted using the traditional Japanese “Edo-bori” glass carving technique. The distinctive design was originally introduced with The Nikka 40 Year in 2014 to commemorate the brand’s 80th anniversary.
The Nikka Nine Decades is bottled at 96 proof (48% ABV) and is non-chill filtered to maximize its flavors and texture. It’s not cheap, as should be expected. It retails for $3,000, and only 4,000 bottles are available worldwide. If you’re in the market for a bottle, these tasting notes will give you a look at what to expect.
The Nikka Nine Decades Tasting Notes
Nose: A rich apple pie and raisin sweetness with toasty barrel-ageing notes lead into a gentle smokiness and the nostalgic scent of antique furniture. Complex and layered aromas give the impression of standing in the warehouse where the whisky has peacefully slumbered.
Taste: Mellow oak with profound depth forms a base, structuring the spicy cinnamon, roasted nuts and rich dark chocolate aromas. A subtle bitterness from the peat is balanced by sweet apricot jam and maple syrup.
Finish: Gentle peat is enveloped by the full body, with sweet and sour notes introducing a pleasant bitterness on a very long finish.
