It's baaaaaack!

Just a decade ago, Nikka made a shock announcement when it said that it would have to begin pulling its age statement whiskies, and so one by one, down the age scale each beloved expression quietly disappeared - even the age statement blends weren't safe!

As it turns out Nikka was faced with the highest demand it ever experienced and didn't have enough on stock - which should quell anyone who thinks that distilleries aren't serious about what's considered limited, and that there isn't some infinite pool of whiskies out there - and so the historic whisky brand made the difficult decision to hold back whiskies in order to replenish aged whisky reserves at both its Yoichi and Miyagikyo distilleries in Hokkaido and Sendai respectively. Whilst Nikka also operated other (primarily grain) distilleries, Yoichi and Miyagikyo has long been the most representative and recognisable of Nikka's distilleries, with Yoichi's peated single malt seen as more masculine and robust, whilst Miyagikyo's unpeated single malt striking a more gentle and floral tone.

In late 2022, much to everyone's excitement, the Yoichi 10 Year Old was announced to have come back on the scene - and we tasted it and found it very compelling! - but wait, don't they usually come in pairs? Where's the Miyagikyo 10 Year Old then? As it turns out, even though some 10 Year Old's for both distilleries did show up at trade tastings, the reality was that the public would have to wait a little longer. What initially was rejoice that perhaps it wouldn't be such a long wait, turned out to be half accurate.

| Read: Yoichi 10 Year Old (Re-Release), 45% ABV [REVIEWED]

Old Miyagikyo 10 versus New Miyagikyo 10.

But now in 2025, we finally have it - the new Miyagikyo 10 Year Old Single Malt!

Due to be released from 7th October 2025, the Miyagikyo 10 Year Old Single Malt from Sendai is said to offer fruity aromas reminiscent of apples and citrus, with a subtle sweet vanilla aroma from its ageing. It is described as also having a rich flavour that harmonises the ripe fruitiness with the sweetness of malt, as well as a sweet and bitter aftertaste from the barrel. The label gets an upgrade, this time made with washi paper, and also given a new deep green brand colour designed to represent the tranquil gorge of Miyagikyo.

The new Miyagikyo 10 Year Old Single Malt is bottled at 45% ABV (on par with the old version of the Miyagikyo 10 Year Old), and will first be released with 9,000 bottles in Japan and 9,000 bottles for the international market, priced at 12,000 Yen (US$81.45).

Kanpai!

88 Bamboo Editorial Team