Nikka Miyagikyo 10 Year Old Japanese Whisky
Nikka Miyagikyo 10 Year Old Japanese Whisky marks the return of an icon: the first age-stated Miyagikyo single malt released since 2015. Nikka reserved casks of its flagship Miyagikyo single malt through a decade of stock shortages, and this 2026 reintroduction — drawn from carefully preserved batches matured a minimum of 10 years — is limited to just 1,572 bottles for the entire United States. We have one.
- Distillery: Miyagikyo Distillery, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan — founded 1969 by Masataka Taketsuru as Nikka's second distillery
- Age: 10 years
- Casks: Remade casks at the core, with subtle influence from sherry casks and new American oak; ester-rich batches bring the citrus lift
- ABV: 45% (90 proof)
- Size: 700mL
- Availability: 1 bottle in stock — US allocation of 1,572 bottles
Tasting Notes
Nikka's official notes: a fruity aroma reminiscent of apples and citrus, complemented by a subtle sweet vanilla note developed through maturation. The taste is rich and well-balanced, the sweetness of malt harmonizing with ripe fruits, and the finish is a pleasant aftertaste — gently sweet and slightly bitter. It builds on Miyagikyo's signature apple-like fruitiness and silky mouthfeel, with gentle wood accents and delicate vanilla from the remade casks.
About Miyagikyo
Masataka Taketsuru, the father of Japanese whisky, built Miyagikyo in 1969 in a forested valley where two rivers meet near Sendai — chosen as the soft, fruity counterpoint to the robust coastal style of Yoichi. The 2026 release wears refreshed packaging: a smaller label of beige washi paper and a deep forest green key colour reflecting the woods around the distillery. Its sibling release is the Nikka Yoichi 10 Year Old Japanese Whisky, and the distillery's everyday expression is the Nikka Miyagikyo Japanese Whisky; for a smokier take, see the Nikka Discovery Series Miyagikyo Peated.
How to Enjoy
A whisky this balanced rewards a neat pour or a single large cube. A highball with soda and a twist of citrus plays directly to its apple-and-citrus character. Browse more in our Japanese whisky collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Miyagikyo 10 Year Old so hard to find? Nikka suspended its age-stated Miyagikyo in 2015 when mature stocks ran short. This 2026 return is limited to 1,572 bottles for the whole US market, allocated through importer Hotaling & Co.
How is it different from the regular Miyagikyo single malt? The 10 Year Old carries a guaranteed minimum age of 10 years, is built on remade casks with sherry and new American oak influence, and wears the new washi-paper label in forest green. The regular Miyagikyo is a no-age-statement bottling.
What size and proof is it? 700mL, bottled at 45% ABV (90 proof).
Available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA — one bottle only, and every delivery requires an adult (21+) signature.