Nikka discontinues whisky age statements

As global demand for Japanese whisky soars, Nikka Whisky has confirmed its decision to discontinue a number of its aged products, replacing some with no-age-statements.

All of Nikka’s Yoichi and Miyagikyo single malt whiskies will be discontinued

In a letter to its importers, Nikka said stocks from its Yoichi and Miyagikyo distilleries – which are used as the base for the majority of the firm’s whiskies – are strained.

“Following the Japanese whisky boom in foreign markets and due to the growing popularity in the domestic market, the sales of Nikka are growing very fast and stock levels of Yoichi and Miyagikyo malt whiskies are becoming very low,” the group said

“With the current depletion, Yoichi and Miyagikyo and malt whiskies, which are the base of most of our products, will be exhausted in the future and we will be unable to continue the business.

“Although we are now distilling spirits at full capacity, a long maturation period will be required until the spirits can be sold.”

As such, the firm said after “careful consideration from a long–term viewpoint”, it has decided to delist 14 products immediately in all markets including Japan.

They include all single malt Yoichi and Miyagikyo whiskies, as well as the brands’ no-age-statements, and the Tsuru 17 Years Old ceramic bottle, Tsuru 17 Years Old glass decanter, G&G White, Black Nikka 8 Years Old and Malt Club.

New no-age-statement expressions will be launched in the place of Yoichi and Miyagikyo single malts, made with different liquid to the current NAS offerings and with a new price.

The whiskies will be debuted on the Japanese market in September 2015 and will launch in the international markets in early 2016.

It was revealed in February this year that Nikka had “shattered” sales records in its 80^th anniversary year, with European sales topping once million bottles for the first time.

The Spirits Business named Nikka Coffey Malt Whisky the most innovative spirit launched in 2014 due to its mergence of grain and malt distillation methods.