The Miyagikyo 12 is one of my favourite whiskeys ever, deliciously silky, and balanced with just a hint of smoke to round out the finish. The no age offering is also a favourite as it captures a lot of what I love about the 12YO but is so much more affordable, even with the inflation of Japanese whiskey prices in recent years. The Miyagikyo is starting to make it’s way into Australia in bars and Japanese restaurants, so keep an eye out for it.

The Whiskey: Nikka Miyagikyo NA 45%

Country of Origin: Japan (Miyagi Prefecture)

The location: Main Range, Kosciusko National Park, Snowy Mountains, Australia

The Snowy mountains (commonly called the ‘Snowies’) are, by international standards, underwhelming as a mountain range – in many places they’d barely qualify as foothills at the base of mountains. Yet for us this collection of craggy peaks, rounded treeless hills and alpine lakes is what we consider our ‘local’ alpine area. We often visit the area in summer to hike using the elevation as a way to escape Australia’s brutal mid-summer heat.

Ascending from the valley below you pass through thick eucalyptus forests and fern groves, weaving your way upwards until the thick, lower growth gives way to alpine herbs and snow gums. The snow gums, with their multi hued bark and twisted, stunted forms are almost surreal, but beautiful parodies of what a tree should be.

Once you reach the alpine tundra it becomes reminiscent of images of the scottish highlands, thick, low heath and soaring tussocked hills scattered with freshwater springs and waterfalls. Snow drifts are still present even in midsummer, clinging to the shadows. The diminutive heights of the largest mountains (our highest peak, Mt Kosciusko is a mere 2288m) and their rounded shape give a false sense that this is easy country to access – while it’s not considered difficult terrain for experienced walkers the ascent from the nearest township at 1500m is still grueling. Along the spine of the Main Range runs an old road, now closed to traffic, that is bare, often windblasted and exposed to the elements and once we’ve gained the heights we use this to trek towards our campsite. For Australia this is a unique landscape, occupying a tiny percentage of our landmass, and the threat of climate change looms large over its future.

As the Range tumbles southwards down craggy bluffs we follow a creekline down into a secluded glade, hidden mostly from the wind and with a source of water close by. With camp set up it’s time for a dram.

On the nose – sherry fruit,

On the palate – silky, light cocoa, red fruits (pickled plum??)

The finish – lingers, with a wisp of smoke to finish it off.

What do I think: Phenomenal, especially for a no age whiskey that retails at around $65 a bottle (in Japan, depending on the exchange rate and taxes). This has been my ‘go to’ Japanese whiskey for years and for good reason. I don’t think it’s a typical example of the style that Japanese whiskeys are known for, but it’s an excellent example of what Japanese distillers can achieve. Very enjoyable.

What it reminds me of: Dimple 15 is probably the closest match to this that I can think of, although the Miyagikyo is smoother and has a distinctly Japanese flavour I can’t quite pick – pickled plums perhaps. Some of the Mars distillery’s offerings, especially the Iwai are in a similar style and other wine cask finish whiskeys carry similar stone fruit flavours.