Nikka Miyagikyo Single Malt
The smooth counterpart to Yoichi. Miyagikyo comes from the mountains near Sendai and is fresh and fruity, with tropical fruit, mango and chocolate, and a long finish where the sherry casks linger gently.
The soft malt from the mountains
Miyagikyo is Nikka's second distillery. While Yoichi is on the rugged coast of Hokkaido, Miyagikyo lies among the mountains near Sendai, and you can taste the difference. The whisky is smooth, fresh and fruity, with tropical fruit and mango, and without the peat that characterizes Yoichi.
Part of the maturation takes place in sherry casks. They aren't dominant, but add a gentle layer in the background and return in the long, full finish. Along with the notes of chocolate, this makes Miyagikyo approachable yet deep. It is bottled at 45%.
At a glance
Tropical fruit with a chocolate core
Tropical and fresh
Tropical fruit and mango, fresh and light, with a floral side. No smoke at all.
Fruit and chocolate
Smooth in character, with fresh fruit giving way to notes of chocolate. Sherry sits softly in the background.
Long and full
A full, long finish with sherry lingering gently. Surprisingly long for such a smooth whisky.
Flavor profile of Nikka Miyagikyo Single Malt neat. A drop of water brings out the tropical fruit even more.
How to best enjoy Miyagikyo
Miyagikyo is so smooth that it's easy to enjoy neat, even if you're new to whisky. Save it for quiet moments.
Neat, at room temperature
Pour 3 to 4 cl into a tulip-shaped tasting glass and let it sit for a few minutes. The tropical fruit is at the top of the glass; the chocolate and sherry come through on the second sip.
Glass: tasting glass →With dark chocolate
Let a piece of dark chocolate melt on your tongue, then take a sip of Miyagikyo. The whisky's chocolate notes become more pronounced and the sherry comes through more clearly.
Glass: cognac glass →As a fruity highball
40 ml Miyagikyo in a tall glass filled with ice, with 120 ml ice-cold sparkling water and a strip of orange peel. Light and fruity, ideal with a meal.
Japanese Highball →Cocktails for a smooth malt
Miyagikyo is best enjoyed neat, but its fruit still shines in a simple classic with few ingredients.
Old Fashioned
Whisky, sugar and bitters over a large ice cube, with an orange peel that brings out the fruit.
Japanese Highball
Whisky with ice-cold sparkling water. Miyagikyo makes it fruity and light, without smoke.
Whisky Sour
Whisky, lemon and sugar with a foamy top. The tropical fruit makes it juicy.
Whisky cocktails
All the whisky cocktails at a glance. Choose the simple recipes to let the fruit shine.The right glass for Nikka Miyagikyo
A tulip-shaped tasting glass or small cognac glass brings out the fruit and sherry. Use a thin long drink glass for a highball, and a tumbler for an Old Fashioned.
More flavors from Nikka
Nikka
Where it all began. Visit the brand page to learn all about Nikka: its origins, varieties and classic cocktails.
Go to Nikka →
Nikka Coffey Grain
Sweet and fruity from the column still: melon, grapefruit and vanilla. The whisky for a Japanese highball.
View Nikka Coffey Grain →
Nikka Coffey Malt
Malted barley from a column still: rich and creamy, with raisin, caramel and cinnamon. Perfect after dinner.
View Nikka Coffey Malt →
Nikka Taketsuru Pure Malt
Malts from Yoichi and Miyagikyo, aged for an average of ten years. Smooth and fruity, with cherry and mint.
View Nikka Taketsuru Pure Malt →
Nikka Yoichi Single Malt
Full-bodied and robust from the coast of Hokkaido: peach and honey, with peat in the finish.
View Nikka Yoichi Single Malt →Everything about Japanese whisky: the types, the best-known brands and the cocktails.
Questions about Nikka Miyagikyo Single Malt
Can't find your question here? Read more on the Nikka page or check out our cocktail recipes.
Everything about Nikka →What is the alcohol percentage of Nikka Miyagikyo Single Malt?
Is Nikka Miyagikyo smoky?
What's the difference between Miyagikyo and Yoichi?
Is Miyagikyo matured in sherry casks?
Is Nikka Miyagikyo suitable as a first single malt?
Buy Nikka Miyagikyo
Want the bottle delivered straight to your door? Order Nikka Miyagikyo online from Gall & Gall.
Prices as of November 3, 2026, as provided by Gall & Gall. You can see the current price and stock at Gall & Gall. Glazen.nl receives a small commission if you buy something through these links; you pay nothing extra. No 18, no alcohol.
