As one
Taketsuru expression begins to be withdrawn its predecessor enters the market,
making many people become nostalgic about the very affordable, still readily
available, and very palatable Taketsuru 12yo. Most likely for economical
reasons Nikka made us all aware sometime ago it will stop producing/selling
their youngest aged pure malt (12yo) and replace it with a pure malt with no
age at all. This no-age-statement release is one of two new Taketsuru expressions
to join the big player’s vast portfolio - the other being their sherry wood
version that debuted across the country September 25. Could it be possible that
there is more to the change than just “economics”, perhaps it could be also
about “market trend”, or more to the point “jumping on the band wagon”? You
certainly don’t need me to inform you of the vast amount of no-age releases from
worldwide distilleries that have sprang up throughout the year, including that
of Nikka’s biggest domestic competitor - very influencing.
Perhaps
there is also another way to look at the transition to NAS (no-age-statement)? Many
suggest when a distiller/brand goes NAS it gives them freedom and flexibility.
There are also suggestions that going NAS allows blenders free reign so to
speak - allowing them to be that little bit more creative opposed to sticking
to formulas. Another possible explanation could be a distillery simply does not
have enough stock - demand outstripping supply, and in order to meet demand
they have turned up the level of production - vatting and/or bottling
adolescent whisky. Regardless of what the real reasons behind the transition
may be, and what we as the consumer think, if it’s priced accordingly and
tastes superb than that’s something to be happy with... Right? Like most people
will be doing or have done so already, I’ve scheduled myself to do a back to
back with the Taketsuru 12yo and NAS, followed by a lush serving of the sherry
wood finish. I’ll be sure to share the experience once I’ve sat down with my
bottles.
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