It’s hard to remember just how different the world of whisky was in 1985 compared to today. On a global scale, whisky was in the midst of a decades-long slump, eclipsed by the vodka boom that had started in the ’60s. In Japan, younger drinkers were gravitating away from whisky toward shochu and, ironically, imported whiskies from Scotland and America that weren’t being consumed in the countries that made them. It was into this challenging climate that Nikka—one of the premier Japanese distilleries, in operation since 1934—launched Nikka From The Barrel.
Four decades later, whisky has regained its dominance in the spirits universe. Japan, once considered an afterthought among serious whisky drinkers, creates some of the most acclaimed and sought-after bottlings around the globe. And Nikka From The Barrel, 40 years on, is one of the world’s most iconic whiskies, known for its distinctive block-shaped bottle and the distinctive liquid inside.
A Meticulously Curated Blend
Nikka From The Barrel was the brainchild of Takeshi Taketsuru, the nephew and adopted son of Masataka Taketsuru, who founded Nikka Whisky in 1934. Takeshi wanted to re-create the richness of a whisky directly from the barrel, but with the consistency that only experienced blenders can create. Master Blender Shigeo Sato and the Nikka blending team ultimately met the challenge with the creation of Nikka From The Barrel in 1985. Contrary to its name, Nikka From The Barrel is not simply a single whisky bottled at barrel proof. Rather, it’s a blend of more than 100 of the finest malt and grain whiskies of different ages, primarily from Nikka’s Yoichi and Miyagikyo distilleries, matured in a variety of different casks. These whiskies are meticulously curated by Nikka’s team of blenders. After the blend is created, it’s then aged, or married, for three more months in previously used oak puncheons. Puncheons are large barrels with about 500 liters of capacity. Their size gives the disparate whiskies a chance to harmonize and cohere into a distinctive, singular finished product, but with minimal influence from the wood.
Confounding expectations again, Nikka From The Barrel is not bottled at cask strength but at 51.4% ABV (102.8 proof), a strength specifically selected by the Nikka blending team after much experimentation. This proof imparts a rich, bold “from the barrel” feel, while also allowing the blenders to have perfect control over the flavor profile.
A Bottle as Bold as the Whisky It Holds
Takeshi Taketsuru envisioned Nikka From The Barrel in a cubic bottle—“a small block of whisky.” He entrusted the realization of his vision to the renowned graphic designer Taku Satoh. The design, from the squat, square bottle to the simple, elegant label to the metal screw cap, makes it a work of art unto itself—one of the most instantly recognizable of all whiskies.
What Makes Nikka From The Barrel The Perfect Gift?
Selecting the right whisky for holiday gifting is a tricky endeavor, as anyone who’s ever traversed the whisky aisles of a liquor store can attest. Although no single whisky is perfect for everyone, Nikka From The Barrel ticks a lot of boxes for whisky lovers of all stripes. It’s acclaimed and respected within the industry; when it was first released in America in 2018, it was promptly named Whisky Advocate magazine’s Whisky of the Year. It’s bold enough for lovers of cask strength whiskies but mellow and refined enough to appeal to less experienced whisky drinkers. Its packaging appeals to the eye as much as the liquid appeals to the palate. And with a suggested retail price of $75, it’s surprisingly affordable without coming off like a budget bottle.
“Nikka From The Barrel is a timeless whisky that has been embraced globally as an icon that represents Nikka’s masterful blending artistry,” says Emiko Kaji, Nikka Whisky’s global business strategy education and PR leader. Still going strong after four decades, it’s earned the right to be called “timeless.” To learn more about Nikka From The Barrel and what makes it unique in the whisky world, click here.