Located near Sendai in Miyagi prefecture, the Miyagikyo distillery from Nikka was opened in 1969. Intended to be very different to Masataka Taketsuru's other distillery Yoichi, Miyagikyo has much bigger copper pot stills with longer lyne-arms and a bulge in their necks. These stills are also steam heated instead of the coal used at Yoichi and at a much lower temperature to slow down the distillation time. This creates a much more soft and floral style of whisky. Miyagikyo is also home to Nikka's two Coffey Stills that produce both malt and grain whiskies. 

Nose: Heaps of malty and biscuity notes jump out immediately with a strong smell of morning muesli. A rich and oily nose that gives off a light smell of burnt char and some liquorice. Cherries and strawberries are hiding underneath the oily cask char smell.

Palate: Soft but rich with a lovely coconut spice that develops into a slightly anise liquoruice note. Malty cereal is very much present and continued directly from the nose. Some light chocolate and cranberries can be found in the back palate before giving way to even more coconut. 

Finish: Long and soft with a very oily and rich mouthfeel. Leaves a remnant of coconut before hitting back with a strong sweetness and malt flavours. Some more exotic fruits appear at the end like guava and lychee before disappearing.