Miyagikyo distillery

Introduction to Miyagikyo

A distillery with passion for craftsmanship

Miyagikyo is a prestigious Japanese distillery nestled in the lush, forested valley of Miyagi Prefecture. Located at the confluence of two rivers, Hirose and Nikkawa, this natural setting provides the perfect environment for crafting exceptional whiskies. The distillery has established itself as a cornerstone of Japanese whisky excellence, known for its elegant, fruity, and complex spirits.

Founded by Nikka Whisky’s legendary father Masataka Taketsuru, Miyagikyo represents the harmonious balance between traditional Scottish whisky-making techniques and Japanese precision and innovation.

Why we have a soft spot for Miyagikyo

At Vault of Spirits, we appreciate distilleries that honor tradition while embracing their unique terroir and identity. Miyagikyo stands out for its remarkably clean and precise distillation process, use of different still shapes, and the extraordinary natural environment that influences its maturation.

The distillery’s commitment to crafting lighter, more fruity malts to complement Nikka’s other distillery, Yoichi, demonstrates a thoughtful approach to whisky making that we find particularly compelling.

The History behind Miyagikyo

Origin and development

Miyagikyo was established in 1969 by Masataka Taketsuru, the founding father of Japanese whisky. After founding his first distillery, Yoichi, in Hokkaido in 1934, Taketsuru spent years searching for the perfect location for his second distillery. The story goes that upon discovering the Miyagikyo site, he immediately knew it was ideal after testing the water by diluting some whisky with it.

Originally named Sendai Distillery after the nearby city, it was later renamed Miyagikyo to reflect its geographical location in Miyagi Prefecture. Over the decades, the distillery has evolved while maintaining Taketsuru’s vision of creating distinctive Japanese whisky with Scottish influences.

The people behind

Today, Miyagikyo is operated by Nikka Whisky Distilling Co., which continues to honor Taketsuru’s legacy of quality and innovation. The master blenders and distillers at Miyagikyo share Taketsuru’s passion for whisky-making, combining traditional methods with Japanese precision and attention to detail.

The team meticulously oversees every aspect of production, from selecting the finest ingredients to monitoring the aging process, ensuring that each bottle captures the essence of Miyagikyo’s distinctive character.

The Craft and Production

From raw material to finished product

Miyagikyo’s production begins with carefully selected malted barley, much of which is imported from Scotland. The distillery is equipped with eight pot stills of varying shapes and sizes, designed to produce a range of spirit characters.

What sets Miyagikyo apart is its use of both direct coal-fired heating (in some stills) and indirect steam heating methods, allowing for greater flexibility in flavor creation. The distillery also houses Coffey stills for grain whisky production, making it one of the few distilleries in Japan capable of producing both malt and grain whiskies.

Maturation and aging

The whiskies are aged in a variety of casks, including ex-bourbon barrels, sherry butts, and Japanese mizunara oak casks. The latter imparts unique oriental spice notes that have become a hallmark of premium Japanese whiskies.

Miyagikyo’s warehouse location is particularly special – the valley’s natural microclimate creates ideal conditions for maturation. The clean air, high humidity, and relatively stable temperatures throughout the year allow for a gentle, balanced maturation that produces elegant, complex whiskies with remarkable depth.

Selected Products from Miyagikyo

Miyagikyo Single Malt – An introduction to the house style

The Miyagikyo Single Malt is an excellent starting point to understand the distillery’s character. This whisky presents elegant notes of fresh fruits, honey, and floral elements, complemented by a subtle maltiness and a gentle hint of oak. Its smooth, silky mouthfeel and balanced finish make it accessible to newcomers while offering enough complexity to please experienced enthusiasts.

Miyagikyo Limited Editions – An experience for connoisseurs

For those seeking a deeper exploration, Miyagikyo’s limited-edition releases offer exceptional experiences. Often featuring age statements or special cask finishes, these expressions showcase the distillery’s versatility and mastery. Expect a rich tapestry of flavors featuring candied fruits, sweet spices, dark chocolate, and subtle smoky notes – all delivered with the signature Miyagikyo elegance and balance.

Visit the Distillery

Tours and tastings

Miyagikyo welcomes visitors with guided tours that provide fascinating insights into Japanese whisky production. The scenic setting alone makes it worth the journey, but the comprehensive tour takes you through each production stage, from mashing to distillation and aging.

The tasting session typically includes several expressions from the Nikka portfolio, allowing you to compare Miyagikyo’s elegant character with its sister distillery Yoichi’s more robust style. The visitor center also houses an impressive museum dedicated to Masataka Taketsuru and the history of Japanese whisky.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Miyagikyo?

Miyagikyo is a Japanese whisky distillery owned by Nikka Whisky Distilling Company. It is renowned for producing elegant, fruity, and complex single malt whiskies, as well as grain whiskies using its Coffey stills. The distillery was founded by Masataka Taketsuru, the pioneer of Japanese whisky, as his second distillery after Yoichi.

Where is Miyagikyo located?

Miyagikyo Distillery is located in a picturesque valley in Miyagi Prefecture, northern Japan. Specifically, it sits at the confluence of the Hirose and Nikkawa rivers near the city of Sendai. This location was chosen for its clean air, pure water, and ideal natural conditions for whisky maturation.

What characterizes Miyagikyo?

Miyagikyo is characterized by its elegant, fruity, and refined whiskies that contrast with the more robust style of Nikka’s other distillery, Yoichi. Key characteristics include a light, floral character with notes of fresh fruits, honey, and delicate spices. The distillery uses various still shapes and sizes to create diversity in its spirit character and employs both traditional and innovative aging methods, including the use of Japanese mizunara oak.

Where can I buy whisky from Miyagikyo?

You can find selected bottles from Miyagikyo at Vault of Spirits. We carefully curate the best expressions from this iconic Japanese distillery, including both their core range and limited editions. As Japanese whiskies continue to gain global recognition, Miyagikyo expressions have become highly sought after, and we pride ourselves on offering these exceptional spirits to discerning enthusiasts.