Japanese whisky fanatics will recognise Nikka – considered one of Japan’s most revered and long-standing distilleries.
Based in 1934 by Masataka Taketsuru, who was impressed by Scotch whisky, Nikka has spent 90 years perfecting its craft. At this yr’s Decanter Effective Wine Encounter (DFWE) in Singapore, Diego Araud, director of La Maison du Whisky, will lead a tasting of 5 distinctive Nikka expressions, showcasing the distillery’s innovation.
Right here Ch’ng Poh Tiong catches up with Araud forward of his DFWE look.
Japanese whisky has taken the world by storm in the previous couple of years. Why has this occurred?
I believe there are just a few causes Japanese whisky has fully exploded up to now 15 years. Really, Japanese whisky will not be one thing that simply began 20 years in the past though it has taken an excellent 5 years to be on everybody’s lips. Japanese whisky has been round for about 100 years. And that’s what we’re celebrating this yr with the ninetieth anniversary of Nikka Whisky, going again by the historical past of this glorious producer.
So, it’s truly a a lot older craft than what most individuals suppose. It’s true it has been an enormous success up to now 10, 15, perhaps 20 years. I believe the reason being as a result of total whisky has been doing very, very effectively all around the world throughout that point. American whiskey is taking slightly bit longer, however it’s exploded up to now few years as effectively. We see Irish whiskey coming again on the map. It’s been a extremely nice time for the spirit.
Because it began being a bit extra worldwide, we began seeing some whiskies making their means by competitions and successful awards. These whiskies have been actually, rather well made by individuals who care about high quality that additionally has a sure subtlety. What they have been in search of within the style of whisky is the steadiness and, within the mixing experience, very high quality expressions. Ultimately the world simply found one thing of tremendous top quality that they’d by no means seen earlier than. Folks have been laughing perhaps a few years in the past, like, whisky will not be meant to be made in Japan. It’s meant to be made in Scotland or in Eire. And two years later, it’s like, effectively, have you ever tried Japanese whisky? It’s one of the best on the earth. And naturally, some excellent advertising placement. Hibiki actually had a breakthrough when featured within the film Misplaced in Translation
In terms of Nikka, there was this present in Japan speaking concerning the lifetime of Masataka Taketsuru. So Nikka exploded as effectively in Japan on the identical time it was getting actually overestimated exterior Japan. So altogether much more consumption, lots much less inventory. With globalisation, up to now 20 years, Japanese tradition has attained a form of cult standing. In Singapore, it won’t be as apparent as in different elements of the world, however in France, Japan was, and nonetheless is, very unique.
Credit score: Diego Araud, advertising director
What are the variations and similarities between Japanese and Scotch whisky?
I might say it’s similar to Scotch whisky. Type of follows precisely the identical pointers of the definition of Scotch. The uncooked components are the identical, the manufacturing is just about the identical. So is the ageing. They abide by the identical guidelines.
Should you blind style a Japanese whisky and a Scotch whisky, it’s very onerous to inform the origin. It’s not precisely like wine and it’s not simply Japanese and Scotch whisky. I believe so long as you’re speaking about the identical type of whisky, similar to a single malt, for instance, it’s very onerous to inform its origin. Apart from just a few expressions that may be typical of a producer. However in any other case it’s actually onerous to inform. So, in that sense, Japanese and Scotch whisky are made the identical means, utilizing the identical components. One of many males behind Japanese whisky being Masataka Taketsuru whom we will probably be speaking about in the course of the masterclass, he actually introduced his craft from Scotland. That’s the place he learnt the best way to produce Scottish whisky.
What he knew was to provide a whisky that’s fairly just like Scotch whisky. There are variations although.
The method of Japanese individuals as an entire could be very perfectionist, all the time in search of the very best steadiness. At this stage once they study whisky, it was already within the fashionable time. There have been scientists behind Masataka Taketsuru so which means they actually had an understanding of what made whisky and the best way to make the very best whisky.
Ultimately they actually perfected the craft, like discovering the precise steadiness, discovering the suitable diploma of alcohol, and the suitable mixture of flavours. Plus with their culinary tradition, they’ve a really developed palate. They may go into the high quality particulars of discovering the expression that will be excellent for them. Style, nonetheless, is all the time very subjective. That’s additionally the rationale Suntory and Nikka went separate methods. Masataka Taketsuru wished to stay very Scottish in type. One thing slightly bit stronger, slightly bit heavier, oilier. And Tori-san wished to make a whisky that was a bit lighter, a bit extra floral, and slightly bit simpler for the Japanese palate. Altogether as an entire, Japanese whisky is well-known for being very balanced, a bit lighter, a bit extra refined.
What discoveries will individuals make at your masterclass of the six Nikka whiskies?
I hope they’ll acquire a deeper understanding of Nikka’s historical past – that’s the principle focus of our dialogue. I additionally hope they’ll acquire extra perception into the broader world of whisky. I believe for true connoisseurs, there will probably be lots of subtlety that they’ll expertise. However perhaps for these extra within the wine business, who could consider the world of whisky as one massive factor, they could uncover it has so many little doorways that may open to so many unimaginable tales – how uncooked supplies, manufacturing strategies and growing older course of, all have an effect on the ultimate product. On high of speaking about Nikka, we will probably be speaking about whisky as an entire.
After which clearly, there will probably be slightly shock on this masterclass, which is one thing very unique that I might think about nobody has but tried. It is going to be very, very invaluable.
Purchase closing tickets for the Nikka Whisky masterclass
Watch: A Message from Diego Araud
Important data
Decanter Effective Wine Encounter Singapore
Date: Saturday 26 October 2024 from 11am to five:30pm
Location: 22 Orange Grove Highway 258350 Singapore
Worth: Grand Tasting tickets SGD 165 | Masterclass tickets SGD 167 – SGD 600
All costs are topic to 9% authorities tax.
