The much-talked-about NIKKA FRONTIER is now available for sale. Price and how to buy.
NIKKA FRONTIER, Nikka’s new brand, has been the talk of the town since before its launch.
We introduce this whisky, which was a bit of a hot topic even before it was officially announced.
It consists of more than half malt and is sold at a very affordable price for home drinking.
1. Photo of bottle and label
NIKKA FRONTIER
NIKKA FRONTIER
2. Characteristics of NIKKA FRONTIER
“NIKKA FRONTIER” was developed on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of Nikka Whisky’s founding to return to its roots and pass on to future generations the frontier spirit of its founder, Masataka Taketsuru, who pioneered the history of whisky in Japan.
The heavy peat malt base from the Yoichi distillery, where the company was founded, is used as the key malt, and despite being a blended whisky, the blend ratio of malt whisky is at least 51%, so that the rich malt aroma and pleasant smoky taste can be enjoyed. In general, whisky production involves ‘chill filtration’ in order to prevent the formation of cloudy and lees, but this product is ‘non-chill filtered’, meaning it is filtered at room temperature, which allows a rich aroma and complex flavour to be experienced, with plenty of flavour components remaining. The bottle is designed to show the full range of liquid colours.
The bottle has a simple design that shows the full liquid colour. On the front, a large ‘N’ in the same font as the corporate logo ‘NIKKA WHISKY’ is placed in the centre, and the cap seal is decorated with the Nikka emblem. On the reverse side, the design of a shimenawa rope is engraved. This is derived from the fact that Masataka Taketsuru’s birthplace was a sake brewer, and the distillery’s pot still is covered with a sacred rope, expressing the founder’s passion for whisky making.
Tasting notes
Aroma
Fruity, with hints of oak maturation and marmalade,
The nose has a firm maltiness and a pleasant smokiness.
- Taste
Smooth, full-bodied mouthfeel,
Ripe fruit sweetness is enhanced by peat bitterness.
- Aftertaste
Continuing sweetness with soft oak.Reference: NIKKA FRONTIER｜Products｜NIKKA WHISKY
2-1. Tasting notes
| Nose. | Marmalade, slight apple, savoury. |
| Taste. | Slight smoke, not much sweetness, good oakiness, white pepper. |
| Aftertaste | Easy to drink for its strength, with a lingering smokiness. |
2-2. Product specifications
| Alcohol content | 48% |
| Alcohol type | Blended whisky |
| Cask type | ー |
| Volume | 500ml |
| Number of bottles sold | ー |
| Suggested retail price | 2,200 yen (including tax) |
| Date of launch | October 1, 2024 |
3. Awards received
No awards received at present.
4. List price and online price
4-1. Manufacturer’s suggested retail price
| Product name | NIKKA FRONTIER |
| Capacity | 500 ml |
| Suggested retail price | 2,200 yen (including tax) |
4-2 Resale price on Mercari
Resale price on Mercari is around 3,000 yen. (*As of October 8, 2024)
The price seems to be a little high because the supply has not yet settled down at the beginning of sales.
4-3. Sold prices on Yahoo auctions
Sold at Yahoo Auctions for around 2,700 yen. (*As of October 8, 2024)
4-4. Rakuten, Yahoo Shopping and Amazon
On Amazon and other mail-order websites, sales were also confirmed at a fixed price. (*As of October 8, 2024)
4-5. Prices offered at BAR Shinkai
At “BAR Shinkai” operated by this site, we offer it in small quantities, such as 45 ml: 1,100 yen per glass, 30 ml: 770 yen etc.
5. Manufacturer
Nikka Whisky Co.
| Establishment. | 1934 (Showa 9) |
| Head office | 4-31, Minami Aoyama 5-chome, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-8616, Japan |
| Distilleries owned | Yoichi Distillery, Miyagikyo Distillery, Ben Nevis Distillery |
6. Distilleries
Yoichi Distillery
| Address. | 7-6, Kurokawa-cho, Yoichi-cho, Yoichi-gun, Hokkaido 046-0003, Japan |
| Start of operation | 1936 |
The “Yoichi Distillery” in Hokkaido is known as the Scotland of Japan. Founded in 1934 by Masataka Taketsuru, a.k.a. Massin, as the predecessor of Dai Nihon Kaju Kabushiki Kaisha (Dai Nihon Fruit Juice Company). Masataka Taketsuru believed that a cool, humid climate similar to that of Scotland, rich water sources and clear, dignified air were essential for ideal whisky production, and selected Yoichi, located at the base of the Shakotan Peninsula west of Otaru, from a variety of candidate sites. Masataka Taketsuru’s aim at his first distillery was to produce a dignified and powerful malt whisky. He was determined to reproduce the whisky-making methods he had learnt at distilleries in Scotland, without making any compromises. The symbols of this commitment are the ‘straight head pot still‘ and ‘ direct coal-fired distillation ‘. This produces a heavy, fragrant, heavy peat base spirit and a unique single malt with a peaty, salty aroma. This distillation method is based on the Longmorn distillery, where Taketsuru himself studied. If it is necessary to produce genuine whisky, even if it is inefficient, we will protect it. Such passion, which can be said to be the origin of Nikka Whisky, and Masataka Taketsuru’s passion for his dreams are still being passed down to the present day.
Yoichi Distillery’s official website is here.
For more information on Yoichi Distillery, see also this article.
7. Summary
This product is the centerpiece of Nikka’s 90th anniversary program. While there is a lot of news about the price increase of single malt at each distillery, it can be said that it is indeed possible to offer this quality at this price range.
The impression is that it is currently on the market with priority given to restaurants, but it is thought that in a little while the price will settle down and it will be easier to obtain it at a fixed price.
The official recommendation is for a float highball. Will it become a new pillar of Nikka’s house-only highball whisky in the future?
Lastly: Recommended Books on Japanese Whisky
If you want to learn more about Japanese whisky, which is a global trend, we highly recommend these books.
(1).Whisky Galore Vol.29 December 2021 issue
In the December 2021 issue of Whisky Galore, published by the Whisky Culture Research Institute, we report on 11 Japanese craft distilleries, including some that are open to the public for the first time, under the title of “Japanese Whisky Craft Frontline,” the first of three consecutive issues. Why did the popularity of Japanese whisky and the craft boom occur? We will examine with interviews. Chichibu Distillery / Chichibu No.2 Distillery / Mars Shinshu Distillery / Mars Tsunuki Distillery / Kanosuke Distillery / Hioki Distillery / Ontake Distillery / Osuzuyama Distillery / Kaikyo Distillery / Hanyu Distillery / Konosu Distillery
(2). Japanese Whisky as an Education for Business
This is a book written by Mamoru Tsuchiya, a world-famous whisky critic and representative of the Whisky Culture Research Institute, titled “Japanese Whisky as a Culture that Works for Business” .
The book covers the basics of whisky, the introduction of whisky to Japan, the birth of Japanese whisky, advertising strategies and the rise of Japanese whisky, and the current rise of craft distilleries. This is a book that summarizes Japanese whisky in a very easy to understand way.
(3). Whisky and I (Masataka Taketsuru)
Masataka Taketsuru, the founder of Nikka Whisky, devoted his life to brewing whisky in Japan. This is a revised and reprinted version of the autobiography of a man who simply loved whisky and talked about himself. The book vividly depicts the days when he went to Scotland alone to study as a young man and overcame many hardships to complete Japanese whisky, as well as his companion, Rita.
(4). A Letter of Challenge from a New Generation Distillery
Launching in 2019. With the world experiencing an unprecedented whisky boom, what were the managers of craft distilleries thinking and what were their thoughts as they took on the challenge of making whisky? This book tells the stories of 13 craft distillery owners, including Ichiro Hido of Venture Whisky, famous for his Ichirose Malt, who inspired the birth of craft distilleries in Japan.
(5). Whiskey Rising
This is the Japanese version of Whisky Risng, published in the US in 2016, with much updated content. Not only does it describe the history of Japanese whisky in detail, but it also includes data on all the distilleries in Japan, including the craft distilleries that have been founded in recent years. The book also includes descriptions of the legendary bottles that have been released, as well as information on bars where Japanese whisky can be found.
