Miyagikyo Single Malt

What it is

The no age statement single malt from Miyagikyo, Nikka's second distillery, near Sendai. Bottled at 45%. It became the permanent expression in 2015 when Nikka discontinued its age statements across the range.

Where it comes from

Nikka publishes the compliance status of every product on its own site, and Miyagikyo Single Malt carries the statement that it meets all the criteria of Japanese whisky as defined by the Japan Spirits and Liqueurs Makers Association. That's a product level confirmation from the producer. It matters because Nikka openly flags several of its other products, From The Barrel and Days among them, as not meeting the same test. With this company you check bottle by bottle.

How it's made

Masataka Taketsuru opened Miyagikyo in 1969 as a deliberate counterweight to Yoichi. Where Yoichi uses direct coal-fired pot stills for a heavy, smoky spirit, Miyagikyo runs large steam-heated stills with high reflux, producing something much lighter and fruitier. The site sits in a river valley surrounded by mountains, with high humidity and soft water. Miyagikyo also houses Nikka's two Coffey stills, imported from Scotland in the 1960s, though those make the grain and Coffey malt whiskies rather than this.

What to expect

Soft, fruity and floral. Pear, apple and raisin with a sherry influence running through it, malt sweetness and almost no smoke. It's the approachable Nikka malt and works beautifully in a highball or neat.

How it compares

Against Yoichi Single Malt, its sibling, the two are deliberate opposites: Yoichi peaty, coastal and heavy, Miyagikyo delicate and fruity. Buying both is the best way to understand Nikka. Against Taketsuru Pure Malt, that blends the two distilleries together. Against Hakushu 12, the other well known gentle Japanese malt, Miyagikyo is fruitier and Hakushu greener.