Nikka Whisky's "Taketsuru Pure Malt Essentials 2026" — the first release in a newly launched five-year limited series — will go on sale in Japan on June 16.
About Taketsuru Pure Malt Essentials 2026
The "Taketsuru Pure Malt Essentials" series was conceived with the 30th anniversary of the Taketsuru Pure Malt brand in 2030 in mind. From 2026 through 2030, a limited-edition expression will be released each year under a different theme, with the name "Essentials" reflecting the concept of "the essential, indispensable things."
The first release centers on the coal direct-fire distillation method that has been upheld since the earliest days of whisky production at the Yoichi Distillery in Hokkaido — the birthplace of the brand's founder. The expression retains the delicate drinking character that Taketsuru Pure Malt is known for, while giving greater prominence to the toasty notes and depth of flavor derived from coal direct-fire distillation. Long-matured malt distilled in 2000 — the founding year of the Taketsuru Pure Malt brand — from both Hokkaido's Yoichi Distillery and Sendai's Miyagikyo Distillery is partially incorporated. The result is a full-bodied whisky balancing a gentle, matured barrel aroma with malt sweetness and peaty richness, finishing with a sweet and pleasantly bitter aftertaste.
The packaging features a white-based label with the "Taketsuru" logo prominently displayed. A color band along the lower portion of the label transitions in a gradient from the black associated with the Taketsuru Pure Malt brand color to the deep indigo of Single Malt Yoichi, visually expressing the theme of this release.
A combined total of 20,000 bottles will be available worldwide — 10,000 in Japan and 10,000 overseas.
About the Taketsuru Pure Malt Brand
"Taketsuru Pure Malt" was born in 2000, bearing the name of Nikka founder Masataka Taketsuru. The expression uses sherry cask-matured Yoichi malt and Miyagikyo malt, along with re-made cask-matured Miyagikyo malt as key components, with the distinct characters of Yoichi and Miyagikyo brought into harmony through Nikka's blending expertise. The whisky is known for its vibrant and fruity aroma, smooth and lustrous mouthfeel, rich malt sweetness and body, and a gently lingering finish.
Product Information
- Product Name: Taketsuru Pure Malt Essentials 2026
- Category: Whisky
- Volume: 700 ml
- Alcohol: 43%
- Japan Release Date: June 16
- Quantity: 10,000 bottles (Japan) / 10,000 bottles (overseas)
- Retail Price (Japan): ¥25,000 (ex-tax) / ¥27,500 (tax included)
- Brand Website: https://www.nikka.com/brands/taketsuru/
