Nikka Miyagikyo 10YO

A Highlander from Japan.
 
Miyagikyo distillery is located in the foothills of the Miyagi prefecture near the town of Sendai. Built in 1969 it was the second distillery built by Nikka, following the Yoichi distillery in Hokaido.
 
It took them three long years to find the ideal place for barrel ageing. The high humidity and purity of air is almost the same as in Cairngorms region in the heart of Scotland. Only the cherry trees are a reminder that the location is in the heart of Japan and not the Highlands.
The distillery - one of the most up-to-date facilities in Japan - is using the old coffey still which dates back to the 19th century. A true blend of futurism and tradition.
 
The Nikka Miyagikyo 10 YO is the least peated and malted single malt coming from this distillery. They use maize as the main source for malt and not wheat as they usually do in Scotland for blended Whiskies. A really smooth dram that can be put side-by-side with the infamous Speyside Whiskies without realizing you’re drinking Japanese Whisky and not Scotch.