Article first published by our partner, Japanese Whisky Dictionary. Visit them here. Find the original article here.

Nikka’s first new brand in six years, Nikka Session.

Launched on September 29, 2020. Limited to 50,000 cases (700ml x 12 bottles) in the first year.

A premium whisky with a completely new concept, blended with high-quality malt raw materials from Scotland and Japan.

The whisky should be so delicious that even old whisky fans will be captivated.

Dare to try it with blended malt without grain.

This was the beginning of the challenge.

I found a hint in the combination of Scottish malt and Japanese malt. The fruity and mellow Ben Nevis from the Highlands, and a variety of Scottish malts that bloom with a gorgeous aroma.

Then there is the full-bodied Miyagikyo malt and the powerful Yoichi malt.

The richly unique malts met and a stunning performance began.

Tasting Notes

Scottish and Japanese malt liquors, a musical session where different personalities collide.

This is a whisky that is like pleasant music, where Scottish malt with its gorgeous aroma and Japanese malt with its bitter aftertaste meet and demonstrate their individuality. This whisky has a gorgeous aroma and malt aroma, smooth mouthfeel and oak sweetness. It is characterized by a lingering peaty finish with a hint of bitterness.

Our Take

The sweetness spreads throughout the mouth the moment you put it in your mouth. It has a gorgeous fruity aroma similar to Ben Nevis with a hint of vanilla and a light peaty aroma at the end.

The mouthfeel is mellow, creamy and sweet like vanilla. The finish is round and creamy with a hint of bitterness.

The best way to drink it is with a highball. The manufacturer recommends “session soda”. The fruity and gorgeous aroma, the sweetness of the malt and bitterness of the peat, and the spiciness of the carbonation are a perfect match.

It is said to be similar to Shin Taketsuru, so I’d love to compare the two.

When it was first released, it was difficult to obtain because it was a limited bottle, but two to three months after its release, liquor stores began to stock it to some extent, and it became a whiskey that can be purchased at almost regular prices both in stores and online.

(All Images Courtesy of JPWhisky.net)

For more awesome Japanese Whisky content, go visit: