Nikka marks 90 years with Decades blend

With Nine Decades, Japanese brand Nikka has combined whiskies made at six distilleries spanning from the 1940s to the 2020s.

Nikka Nine Decades uses more than 150 component whiskies, including the oldest malt reserved from the Yoichi Distillery and Miyagikyo Distillery, new grain whisky from Moji and Satsumastukasa, and long matured grain whisky from Nishinomiya. It likewise features whiskies distilled at Ben Nevis Distillery in Scotland. “The number of whiskies accumulated since the establishment of the company is tremendous, with an age gap of nearly 90 years,” chief whisky blender Hiromi Ozaki said. “I selected whiskies with outstanding characteristics among our reserves for this blend, pursuing the optimal balance from a broader view, to achieve an overall harmony with a rich sense of breadth and depth.” Bottled at 48% ABV, there will be 4,000 bottles of Nine Decades available worldwide and 400 released in the US for US$3,000. On the nose, the whiskey shows notes of rich apple pie and raisins, with gentle smoke and nostalgic aromas that evoke antique furniture. The palate shows mellow oak, spicy cinnamon, roasted nuts, and a subtle peaty bitterness. The bottle is crafted using 'Edo-bori', a traditional glass carving method that originated in Tokyo and evolved from western sandblast carving methods. The bottle shape was first introduced with the launch of The Nikka 40-year-old in 2014, which at the time marked the brand's 80th anniversary. “This is a unique whisky that encompasses the passion, pioneer spirit, craftsmanship, delights and struggles within Nikka,” whisky global business strategy education and PR leader Emiko Kaji said. “We are incredibly grateful for all of those who have supported Nikka over the past 90 years including our loyal customers, trusted partners, and dedicated team behind the supply chain and distribution. We hope that this exceptional whisky will create unforgettable moments for whisky enthusiasts around the world.” To celebrate the milestone, Nikka will be hosting a two-night pop-up at Martiny’s in New York featuring staff from Bee’s Knees in Japan, on Thursday 17 October and Friday 18 October. Earlier this year, Nikka's parent company, Asahi Group, purchased Australian gin producer Never Never Distilling Co.