Collection: Nikka

Nikka Whiskey Distilling Co. Ltd. (ニッカウヰスキー Co., Ltd.) is a Tokyo-based producer of Japanese whisky and other beverages. It is controlled by the Asahi Group. The company operates a number of distilleries and other facilities in Japan, including two Japanese whisky distillery, Yoichi Distillery in Yoichi, Hokkaido (founded 1934) and Miyagikyo Distillery in Aoba District, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture, northern Honshu (founded 1969). It also owns Ben Nevis Liquor in Scotland Factory (acquired in 1989).

Founder Masataka Taketsuru traveled to Scotland in 1918 to learn first-hand the process of distilling Scotch whisky. He studied organic chemistry with Professor TS Patterson at the University of Glasgow and malt whisky production at the Hazelburn Distillery in Campbelltown, near Kintyre. He married Jessie Roberta "Rita" Cowan, the daughter of a Glasgow doctor, with whom he returned to Japan in 1920. In 1923, he joined Kotobukiya (now Suntory) and helped build a brewery, before founding Nikka in 1934. After their death, the company was run by their adopted son, Taketuru Takeshi, whose business expanded significantly.