Taketsuru 21 is a blend of two different single malts; Miyagikyo and Yoichi. Traditionally Yoichi is seen as a more powerful, more masculine malt and Miyagikyo is seen as a more subtle, more feminine malt. To make this whisky the folks at Nikka would select the best 21+ year old casks from Yoichi and Miyagikyo and then blend them together to create a whisky that is both masculine and feminine.
This whisky has been at the top of numerous “Best Whisky” lists and lauded the world over, but I have to say… I just don’t get all the hype. Don’t get me wrong I think it’s good, as you’ll see below, but it didn’t get me particularly excited. The Taketsuru 21 didn’t wow me like I thought it might, but it’s still a decent dram.
Taketsuru 21 Info
Region: Japan
Distiller: Nikka
Mashbill: 100% Malted Barley
Age: 21 Years
ABV: 43%
Price: NA – Auction / Specialty store
Taketsuru 21 Review
EYE
Honey
NOSE
Fruit, malt, graham, butterscotch, nuts and and herbal nature. There is an overall meatiness to the aroma that’s pleasant but not overbearing.
PALATE
Fruit, malt, graham, butterscotch, nuts, spice, oak, herbal notes and a bit of citrus peels. Like the nose there’s a meatiness to the palate; the masculine Yoichi showing its side more-so.
FINISH
Medium fade of nuts, fruit, malt, graham and ash.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Decent balance, medium body and a full slick feel.
OVERALL
It’s a good whisky and has a pleasing meatiness to the entire thing that makes me want to keep exploring it. It’s not wildly blow-your-socks-off amazing, but if it was something that was available at a sub $75 price I’d be more than happy to buy one. Though even before it was discontinued it was absurdly expensive and now it’s absurd x 10 so I have a hard time reconciling this particular whisky with “value”. On-the-whole, the quality to price ratio has been my major issue with Japanese whisky for a long time and it’s only getting worse.
SCORE: 88/100 (B+)