World Whisky Awards 2012 – Nikka Taketsuru 17 yrs World’s Best Blended Malt

For the fourth consecutive year, Nikka Taketsuru is awarded the title of world’s best blended malt at the World Whiskies Awards.

For the first time, the 17 year old bottling will play the role of ambassador for Japanese pure malts, succeeding the emblematic 21 year old, winner of the prize in 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2011.

The Taketsuru range of whiskies, which include a 12 year, a 17 year and a 21 year, is the fruit of Mr. Hisamitsu’s work as chief Nikka whisky blender. By selecting malts from Nikka’s two distilleries, Yoichi and Miyagikyo, he aims to achieve a subtle harmony between these very unique single malts.

This 5th award is proof of his success!

Also of note are the Nikka From the Barrel, winning best Japanese blended whisky without age statement every year since 2007, as well as the Miyagikyo single malts, whose Non Age and 12 year bottlings received prizes in their respective categories.

Awarded World’s Best Blended Malt!

Nikka whisky chief blender TETSUJI HISAMITSU accepted the prize in London on March 22nd, 2012. He says he is proud of the Taketsuru blend quality, and hopes that this recognition will allow even more whisky enthusiasts to discover the range through the 17 year bottling, with its very accessible price.