Whisky Nikka Rare Old Super

Masataka Taketsuru, founder of the Nikka distillery, practically fell into the craft of distillation as a child: his family had been successfully producing sake since 1733. He followed this path as well. His first employer sent him to Scotland in 1918, so that he could acquire working techniques, distillation processes and experience in whisky production. Returning to Osaka a few years later, Taketsuru built Japan's first whisky distillery and is considered a pioneer of the Japanese whisky industry, which is now a worldwide success. Today, two distilleries belong to Nikka: Miyagikyo in Honshu and Yoichi in Hokkaido. Rare Old Super Nikka Whisky is a blend introduced in 1962 as a tribute to Taketsurus' late wife Rita. The shape of the bottle alone shows that this is not a conventional whisky. Connoisseurs love it for its malty, herbal and peaty notes, complemented by a hint of sherry.

Nose: smells of grass, malt and honey with subtle hints of peat and sherry.

Mouth: mainly spicy and malty. Finish: long.

Food pairing: neat or for exclusive whisky-based cocktails.