Japan, Hokkaido. Distillery operational. Owner: Nikka

Whisky Distilling (Asahi)Founded in 1934 by Masataka Taketsuru in the south-west of the island of Hokkaido in the fishing village from which it takes its name, Yoichi caused quite a stir when, in 2001, its 62.2% 10 Year Old was named “Best Single Malt in the World” by a panel formed primarily of journalists and professionals from the Scotch whisky industry. Since then, the ongoing stream of Japanese whiskies has continued to chip away at the assumed supremacy of Scottish, Irish and American whiskies in the international scene. Yoichi has played a particularly active role in this phenomenon, releasing numerous exclusive versions of its malt, including Yoichi 20 Year Old 1987, 55%; Yoichi 25 Year Old 1988, 62% and Yoichi 35 Year Old.

Nikka has released many bottlings of Yoichi and Miyagikyo available only at the distilleries. Each bottling focuses on a particular aspect of the single malt, summarized in two terms, such as “peaty & salty” or “sherry and sweet”. These combinations are used by master blenders in a similar way to a parfumier’’s base and can then be used in other blends, and even by the taster themselves if they own several different editions. This expression focuses on the vanilla and woody elements of the spirit, most likely endowed by bourbon cask maturation.