Notes - In 1918 Masataka Taketsuru, the founder of Nikka Whisky, embarked on a long voyage to Scotland and, after enrolling at Glasgow University, became the first Japanese person ever to study whisky making. He took chemistry courses at the university and apprenticed at distilleries, learning first-hand from craftsmen and received training as a blender. Masataka would later become known as a master blender. After returning to Japan in 1920 Masataka began work for a company who would produce Japan's first whisky. In 1934, Masataka struck out on his own and established Nikka Whisky and built its first distillery in Yoichi, Hokkaido, which he had always considered to be the ideal site in Japan for whisky-making. This was later joined, in 1969, by the Miyagikyo Distillery, also in northern Japan. This blend is made from grain and malt from the Miyagikyo distillery and Malt from the Yoichi distillery. It is matured in first filled bourbon cask and is a perfect blend of Japanese whisky styles. Gold in colour. The nose is floral, fruity and spicy with hints of orange peel, apricots and boiled spice. The palate is big, spicy and oaky developing ripe and caramelised fruit. The finish is long with ripe fruit flavours combined with soft oaky vanilla notes.