Japanese whisky shortage affects Nikka

Japan’s Nikka Whisky will replace its entire range of single malts with no-age-statement bottlings in the face of a nationwide aged malt whisky shortage.

The plans will affect all importers of Nikka’s whisky worldwide (Photo: Nikka)

In an email seen by WhiskyCast, Emiko Kaji, Nikka’s head of international sales and marketing, said the current range would continue to be available while stocks last, but new Yoichi and Miyagikyo expressions will debut in Japan in September, with a global rollout planned during 2016.

She said that importers across the world were currently being contacted to be made aware of the plan, which is being implemented due to a shortage caused by the growing global interest in Japanese whisky.

In November last year, Yamazaki Single Malt Sherry Cask 2013 was deemed the best whisky in the world by famed spirits writer and whisky expert Jim Murray, helping to cause a spike in demand for whisky from the country.

Nikka is not the only Japanese distiller experiencing shortages, as Beam Suntory executives have also acknowledged the problem.

Earlier this year, Suntory Holdings CEO Takeshi Niinami said that he had banned his executives from drinking Hakushu 15 and other Suntory single malts in order to make more bottles available for customers.