Nikka Taketsuru Pure Malt
The whisky that bears its founder’s name. A blend made entirely from malt whisky, with a generous amount of Miyagikyo, aged for around ten years on average: smooth, fruity and rounded, with red fruit, cherries and a hint of mint.
Malt only, from two distilleries
Pure malt is the Japanese term for what’s called blended malt in Scotland: a blend of malt whiskies from more than one distillery, with no grain whisky added. In Taketsuru, the malts come from Nikka’s own distilleries, with a high proportion of Miyagikyo. That makes it smoother and fruitier rather than smoky.
There’s no age statement on the bottle, but the whisky has aged for around ten years on average in various types of casks, including sherry casks for a richer flavor. It’s bottled at 43%, slightly lower than the 45% of the single malts. The name pays tribute to Masataka Taketsuru, who learned his craft in Scotland and founded Nikka in 1934.
In brief
Red fruit and a fresh note
Red fruit
Red fruit with the sweetness of a glazed fruit tart. Rich but not heavy.
Smooth with cherry
Smooth and fruity, with spices and a hint of cherry and mint. Rounded and approachable, with no sharp edges.
Fruity
A fruity finish where the cherry lingers a little. Smooth enough to take another sip straight away.
The flavor profile of Nikka Taketsuru Pure Malt, neat. A drop of water brings out the red fruit notes.
How to taste Taketsuru
Taketsuru is smooth enough to start with neat and elegant enough for a stirred cocktail.
Neat in a tulip glass
3 to 4 cl in a tulip-shaped tasting glass. Smell first for the red fruit and pastry, then take small sips and look for the cherry and mint notes that come through at the end.
Glass: tasting glass →As a Manhattan
50 ml Taketsuru, 25 ml sweet vermouth, and two dashes of bitters, stirred with ice and strained into a chilled coupe. The whisky's cherry notes and the vermouth fit together seamlessly.
Manhattan recipe →As a refined highball
40 ml Taketsuru in a tall glass full of ice, topped with 120 ml sparkling water and a mint leaf. Fuller than a highball made with grain whisky, and the mint brings out the whisky's character.
Japanese Highball →Elegant cocktails with Taketsuru
Taketsuru's red fruit and cherry notes pair well with stirred classics featuring vermouth or bitters, and with a refreshing highball.
Manhattan
Whisky, sweet vermouth, and bitters. Fruity and elegant with Taketsuru.
Paper Plane
Whisky, Aperol, amaro, and lemon in equal parts. The red fruit notes complement the Aperol.
Boulevardier
Whisky, Campari, and sweet vermouth. Rounder than with bourbon, thanks to the soft malt.
Japanese Highball
Whisky with ice-cold sparkling water in a tall glass. Fuller than usual with Taketsuru.The right glass for Nikka Taketsuru
A tulip-shaped tasting glass to gather the fruit notes, a coupe or Nick & Nora glass for a Manhattan, and a tall glass for a highball.
More flavors from Nikka
Nikka
Where it began. On the brand page, read all about Nikka: its origins, varieties, and classic cocktails.
To Nikka →
Nikka Coffey Grain
Sweet and fruity from the column still: melon, grapefruit, and vanilla. The whisky for a Japanese highball.
View Nikka Coffey Grain →
Nikka Coffey Malt
Malted barley from a column still: rich and creamy, with raisin, caramel, and cinnamon. Perfect after a meal.
View Nikka Coffey Malt →
Nikka Yoichi Single Malt
Full-bodied and robust from the coast of Hokkaido: peach and honey, with peat on the finish.
View Nikka Yoichi Single Malt →
Nikka Miyagikyo Single Malt
Smooth and fresh from the mountains near Sendai: tropical fruit, mango, and chocolate, with sherry in the background.
View Nikka Miyagikyo Single Malt →Everything about Japanese whisky: the types, best-known brands, and cocktails.
Questions about Nikka Taketsuru Pure Malt
Can’t find your question here? Read more on the Nikka page or check out our cocktail recipes.
Everything about Nikka →What percentage alcohol is Nikka Taketsuru Pure Malt?
What does pure malt mean?
How old is Nikka Taketsuru Pure Malt?
What’s the difference between Taketsuru and a single malt like Yoichi?
Is Taketsuru smoky?
Buy Nikka Taketsuru
Want the bottle delivered straight to your door? Order Nikka Taketsuru online at Gall & Gall.
Prices as of November 3, 2026, as reported by Gall & Gall. You can see the current price and stock at Gall & Gall. Glazen.nl receives a small commission if you buy something through these links; you pay nothing extra. No 18, no alcohol.
