The Nikka Discovery Vol. 1 set is the inaugural release in Nikka's annual Discovery series, launched in fall 2021 to mark the lead up to the company's 90th anniversary in 2024. The concept is a deliberate role reversal: Yoichi, traditionally the peated, coal fired, muscular Hokkaido distillery, is bottled here entirely without peat. Miyagikyo, traditionally the floral and fruity Honshu distillery, is bottled here using only peated malts. Each label was capped at 10,000 bottles for the Japanese market, with limited US allocation. Both are no age statement, both bottled in 2021, and both hand selected to overturn what enthusiasts thought they knew about the two flagship Nikka houses.
ABV / Proof
| Brand |
Nikka Whisky |
| Producer |
The Nikka Whisky Distilling Co. (Asahi) |
| Series |
Nikka Discovery Vol. 1 |
| Set Contents |
Yoichi Single Malt Non Peated & Miyagikyo Single Malt Peated |
| Type |
Single Malt Japanese Whisky |
| Yoichi Distillery |
Yoichi, Hokkaido (est. 1934, coal fired stills) |
| Miyagikyo Distillery |
Aoba ku, Sendai, Miyagi (est. 1969) |
| Bottled In |
2021 |
| Released |
September 28, 2021 |
| Bottle Count |
10,000 bottles each label (Japan allocation) |
| Yoichi ABV / Proof |
47% / 94 proof |
| Miyagikyo ABV / Proof |
48% / 96 proof |
| Bottle Size |
750ml each |
| Country |
Japan |
| Packaging |
Two bottles |
Tasting Notes
Color: Yoichi pale gold; Miyagikyo deeper sunflower gold.
Nose: Yoichi opens with pear, berries, apple, and faint coal smoke from the direct fire stills. Miyagikyo leads with charcoal smoke, grilled pineapple, peach, vanilla cream, and buttered toast.
Palate: Yoichi delivers creamy almond butter, baked apple, fresh bread, and firm malt sweetness. Miyagikyo shows medium peat, ashy and herbaceous, with thyme, matcha, soft pepper, and syrupy maltiness.
Finish: Yoichi ends fruity and lemon fresh with caramel and spice box. Miyagikyo finishes medium long, sweet to dry, with malt giving way to oak and herbs.
FAQ
What is the Nikka Discovery series? An annual limited release program Nikka launched in 2021 leading into its 90th anniversary in 2024. Each volume explores a different aspect of Nikka's whisky making, with Vol. 1 focused on peat. Subsequent volumes covered other components like grain whisky.
Why is the peat reversed between distilleries? Yoichi is famously peated, Miyagikyo is famously not. Nikka swapped the malt selections to show the underlying spirit character of each distillery without their signature element. Yoichi Non Peated highlights the coal fired distillation and fruit. Miyagikyo Peated reveals how peat interacts with Miyagikyo's gentler base spirit.
Is this set still in production? No. Vol. 1 was a one time 2021 release with 10,000 bottles per label in Japan. It is no longer produced, and bottles command a strong secondary market premium given Nikka's broader scarcity.
Where can I buy the Nikka Discovery 2021 set online? Available here at Liquor On Broadway while stock lasts, with fast insured shipping nationwide.
