For a limited time, “THE NIKKA WHISKY TOKYO”, Nikka Whisky‘s official bar, opened in the Omotesando area from 7 August to 25 December.
1. THE NIKKA WHISKY TOKYO
“THE NIKKA WHISKY TOKYO” is the flagship bar where visitors can experience Nikka Whisky’s new communication concept, “Whisky for the pleasure of living”.
It has two bar areas, “The Lounge -MEET-” and “The Bar -EXPLORE-“, and a sales area, “The Shop -ENRICH-“.
| Period of operation | August 7 – December 25, 2024 |
| Opening hours | Monday – Friday 17:00 – 23:30 (L.O. 23:00) Saturday, Sunday, Holidays 14:00 – 23:30 (L.O. 23:00) |
| Address | AOKI Omotesando Bldg 1F, 3-5-27 Kita-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0061 |
| Access | 1 min. from Omotesando Station. |
| Number of seats | 55 seats (The Lounge -MEET-: 36 seats, The Bar -EXPLORE-: 19 seats) |
| Official website | THE NIKKA WHISKY TOKYO |
2. Store area
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2-1. “The Lounge -MEET-“
Area based on the concept of “neo-classic”. A bar area aimed at young people and those unfamiliar with whisky, bars and cocktails.
It was named “MEET” in the hope that visitors will enjoy cocktails casually and “encounter” the appeal of whisky and its various ways of enjoying it. Cocktails that are a staple at overseas bars are served using Nikka Whisky products.
Examples of products
‘Single Malt Yoichi’ ‘Old Fashioned’ with cherry chip smoke to create smoke
Espresso Martini” based on “Nikka Cafe Grain”.
Clover Club” based on “Nikka Café Gin”, etc.
2-2. “The Bar -EXPLORE-“
This bar area is based on the concept of “innovation and innovation”. This bar area is aimed at people who have always liked whisky and are familiar with cocktails.
The bar area is named “EXPLORE” with the hope that visitors will “explore” the depth of whisky and its new attractions. Original cocktails are served in collaboration with famous bars that have been selected as Asia’s best bars, as well as 13 top bars in Japan.
Examples of products
“Perfect Nikka”, an Old Fashioned based on “Nikka Cafe Grain” with aromatic water distilled from coffee, cocoa liqueur and other ingredients.
“Café Koncerz”, based on Nikka Café Grain and arranged as an espresso martini using espresso and carbonation.
“Cloverclub Punch”, based on Nikka Café Gin and a Cloverclub twist using pepper, milk, pineapple and other ingredients.
The Purple Rain Highball, an original cocktail supervised by Nikka Whisky Europe ambassador and bartender Stanislav, is a pale purple highball based on Nikka Session and made with Butterfly Peach Tea.
2-3. “The Shop – ENRICH”
The shop was named “ENRICH” in the hope that customers will take home with them the feeling of “enjoying life” and the afterglow they have gained through their experience at the shop, and that their daily lives will become richer. The name “ENRICH” was chosen in the hope that the customers’ daily lives will be enriched.
This area sells a variety of goods such as T-shirts, tote bags, caps and skittles with the Nikka Whisky emblem or logo on them.
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.
