Story of Masataka Taketsuru and Nikka Whiskey

1894 Born into a family of brewers in Hiroshima on June 20th.

In 1916, he graduated from Osaka Technical (High School), where he majored in brewing. He then joined the Settsu Shuzo Company in Osaka.

1918 Shipped to Scotland via the USA

1918 He arrived in Scotland and enrolled at the University of Glasgow in December.

1919 Apprentice at the Longmorn Distillery in Speyside to learn the production of malt whisky.

1919 Apprentice to James Calder in Bo'ness to learn Coffey grain whisky.

1920 He married Rita on January 8th.

1920 Apprentice at the Hazelburn Distillery in Cambeltown to learn the production and blending of malt whisky.

1920 He returned to Japan with Rita in November.

In 1922, he left the Settsu Shuzo Company because the whisky production plan was abandoned.

In 1923, he joined Kotobukiya Limited (Suntory) with a 10-year contract.

In 1923, he oversaw the construction of the Yamazaki Distillery, the first whiskey distillery in Japan, and became involved in whiskey production.

1934 Left Kotobukiya in March.

In 1934, Dai Nippon Kaju Co., Ltd. was established on July 2nd.

In 1936, the Yoichi Distillery began distillation.

1940 Launch of the first whisky, "NIKKA WHISKEY".

In 1949, Takeshi Taketsuru, Masataka's nephew and adopted son, joined Nikka Whisky.

In 1952, the company name Dai Nippon Kaju Co., Ltd. was changed to The Nikka Whisky Distilling Co., Ltd.

In 1961, Rita died on January 17th at the age of 64.

1963 The first Coffey Still was imported from Scotland and installed at the Asishi Breweries factory in Nishinomiya to produce grain whisky. (The Coffey Stills were transferred to the Miyagikyo Distillery in 1999.)

In 1966, the second Coffey Still was installed.

1967 Kashiwa bottling plant completed.

1969 The Miyagikyo Distillery was completed in April and began distillation.

1977 Tochigi plant completed.

In 1979, Masataka died on August 29th at the age of 85.