[Exclusive Interview] Experience 'Whisky for Enjoying Life' at THE NIKKA WHISKY TOKYO, Nikka Whisky’s official bar!

Nikka Whisky's official bar "THE NIKKA WHISKY TOKYO" is open for a limited time from August 7, 2024 ~ December 25, 2024.

Celebrating its 90th anniversary, Nikka Whisky presents a bar where you can experience the new communication concept of 'Whisky for Enjoying Life' throughout the venue, from collaboration cocktails with Japan’s top bars to a meticulously designed interior.

This time, Dear WHISKY visited THE NIKKA WHISKY TOKYO to learn about the bar’s unique features, the appeal of its original cocktails, and the passion behind the establishment. We encourage everyone to visit THE NIKKA WHISKY TOKYO and discover new ways to enjoy whisky!

(Interviewed on September 20, 2024)

What is THE NIKKA WHISKY TOKYO?

"THE NIKKA WHISKY TOKYO" is open in the Omotesando area

When you hear "Nikka Whisky," many people may picture the bearded gentleman featured on "Black Nikka," or think of Nikka as a "traditional manufacturer" with a long history that began with its founder, Masataka Taketsuru, also known as Massan.

When you visit "THE NIKKA WHISKY TOKYO," you'll find a "cool" and "innovative" space that completely transforms that image.

Based on the words left by Masataka Taketsuru, the new concept of 'Whisky for Enjoying Life' is embodied in two bar areas, The Lounge -MEET- 」 「The Bar -EXPLORE-」 and merchandise sales area 「The Shop –ENRICH–」 At THE NIKKA WHISKY TOKYO, which consists of three distinct areas, you can explore a variety of ways to enjoy whisky.

「The Lounge -MEET-」

Nikka Whisky products that serve as the base of the cocktails served at "The Lounge -MEET-"

The Lounge -MEET- is designed so that even those unfamiliar with whisky or cocktails can 'discover' the appeal and diverse ways to enjoy whisky.

You can enjoy 11 cocktails selected from the top 50 cocktails drunk in the world. Of course, the cocktails are made based on Nikka Whisky products, but in addition to that, there is a "one factor" that is a device to make cocktails even more enjoyable!

Single Malt Yoichi × Old Fashioned

"Old Fashioned" that you can enjoy at "The Lounge -MEET-"

At Old Fashioned, which is made based on single malt Yoichi, which is one of the signature menus, you can enjoy a smoked production reminiscent of coal direct fire distillation, which is a characteristic of Yoichi Distillery.

Enjoy a cocktail from the server

Cocktails poured from the server (in the photo, the welcome drink served at "The Bar -EXPLORE-" is poured)

From the server in the store, cocktails such as espresso martinis will be served ready!

It is also devised so that the espresso bubbles called crema come out beautifully. Based on Nikka Whisky's experience of collaborating with various bars The world's most advanced equipment that can be incorporated is a masterpiece!

"Espresso martini" poured from the server

「The Bar -EXPLORE-」

"The Bar -EXPLORE-"

The Bar -EXPLORE- is created with the hope that even whisky enthusiasts will 'explore' new charms of whisky.

Here, the classic cocktails served at The Lounge -MEET- are reinterpreted, reconstructed, and freely twisted by 13 of Japan’s top bars, offering a fresh take for you to enjoy. It is also attractive to be able to learn about the thoughts put into the cocktail in the words of the bartender who created the cocktail from the menu.

Introducing the charm of cocktails in the words of a bartender

Welcome Drink – Single Malt Miyagikyo × Tonic Water –

A welcome drink made by sprinkling single malt Miyagikyo as a finishing touch.

Guests who visit "The Bar -EXPLORE-" are offered a welcome drink made by dividing single malt Miyagikyo with tonic water.

After being poured from the server, a finishing touch of Single Malt Miyagikyo is sprayed on like perfume, allowing you to fully appreciate its fruity aroma. The flavor is reminiscent of apple cider, evoking Nikka Whisky’s early days of making apple juice, and making you look forward even more to the experiences awaiting at The Bar -EXPLORE-—a truly memorable drink.

Three Types of Innovative Highballs

In Japan, a highball typically means whisky with soda, but overseas bars enjoy highballs with their own creative interpretations!

Incorporating such international trends, "The Bar -EXPLORE-" offers new ways to enjoy highballs, such as the "Sunday Daddy," which mixes Nikka Whisky's "From the Barrel" with beer, and the "Purple Rain Highball," a pale purple highball made with butterfly pea tea.

"Perfect Nikka" with BAR BenFiddich

"Perfect Nikka" created in collaboration with BAR BenFiddich

Here, I would like to introduce one of the menus of "The Bar -EXPLORE-", "Perfect Nikka"!

It was born in collaboration with the famous restaurant "BAR BenFiddich", which is selected as "The World's 50 Best Bars".

Inspired by the Old Fashioned also served at The Lounge -MEET-, this drink lets you experience a depth of flavor that sets it apart from classic cocktails.

Menu of "The Bar -EXPLORE-"

In addition, various cocktails are offered in collaboration with 13 famous restaurants in Japan.

Cocktails served at "The Bar -EXPLORE-"

「The Shop –ENRICH–」

Various products on sale at "The Shop -ENRICH-"

After enjoying the appeal of whisky in the two bar areas, you can visit The Shop –ENRICH– to purchase exclusive merchandise and take home the sensations and lingering impressions gained from your whisky experience.

Be sure to check out the carefully crafted merchandise, including T-shirts, polo shirts, aprons, caps, and more!

Famous guest bartenders from all over the world

A guest shift by Stanislav Vadrna, Nikka Whisky’s Global Hospitality Ambassador (see: NIKKA WHISKY Instagram）

On September 20, when Dear WHISKY visited, Stanislav Vadrna, Nikka Whisky’s Global Hospitality Ambassador, was invited for the first overseas guest shift event!

They plan to invite guest bartenders from overseas for more events during the open period, so don’t miss out!

Interview with the Two Representatives!

This time, we interviewed Mr. Kato (left in the photo) and Mr. Tomoyoshi (right in the photo).

This time, Dear WHISKY had the opportunity to speak with Mr. Hiroyasu Kato, Master Brand Leader of the Global Business Strategy Department at Nikka Whisky Co., Ltd., and Mr. Naoki Tomoyoshi, Sponsorship & Event Leader, to learn about the background of the concept and their attention to the interior design!

There is no doubt that reading this will make you want to visit "THE NIKKA WHISKY TOKYO"! Please read to the end the passionate thoughts of the people who created THE NIKKA WHISKY TOKYO!

Reimporting Nikka Whisky’s Image from Overseas

Dear WHISKY：
It's a very nice restaurant, but what did you focus on when it was made?

Mr. Tomoyoshi:
Some Japanese customers might think, "Wait, is this really the image I had of Nikka?"

For this venue, we have imported the overseas image of Nikka Whisky back into Japan.

Mr. Tomoyoshi discusses the differing images of Nikka Whisky overseas and in Japan.

Dear WHISKY：
What kind of image does Nikka Whisky have overseas?

Mr. Tomoyoshi:
Nikka Whisky, as you may know, began when its founder, Masataka Taketsuru, traveled to Scotland to learn about whisky, making it a brand that is deeply... It is a brand with a unique story. In addition, we do not sell the "Black Nikka Series" overseas, and we do not sell single malt or " FlåmThe Barrel It mainly sells premium products such as "café series" and has taken first place in the ranking of the best trending brands.

In this way, Nikka Whisky is seen as "innovative" and "cool" overseas!

Attention to Detail in the Interior

Dear WHISKY：
How do you reflect the "innovative" and "cool" image within the venue?

Mr. Tomoyoshi:
The logo projected on the wall that you see as soon as you enter is the same logo we've always used, but by adding movement, we've created a more innovative impression than ever before!

A logo that leaves an "innovative" impression through various movements

Mr. Kato:
In fact, I am particular about the color of the walls!

The blue-gray color used across the wall is Nikka Whisky's new master brand color. It beautifully highlights the amber hue of the whisky and gives off an "innovative" and "cool" impression.

The interior of the store is based on blue-gray color

Dear WHISKY：
The U-shaped seats that surround the open space in the center of the store are also impressive, but what kind of attention do they have?

Mr. Tomoyoshi:
We were conscious of using the space luxuriously and creating a space where customers could enjoy interacting with each other.

In addition, the counter is about 10 cm higher than the general one so that the elbow is just at the height where you can place it when you stand.

Bar counter designed to be just at elbow height

Signs written all over the wall

Signatures from the bartenders we collaborated with

Dear WHISKY：
The signatures on the wall are impressive, too!

Mr. Tomoyoshi:
These signatures are from the bartenders we collaborated with at "The Bar -EXPLORE-" They visited the venue to check the flavors and preparations, and signed the wall during their visit.

The idea behind the word "enjoy"

Dear WHISKY：
What is the meaning of the word "enjoy" in the new communication concept?

Mr. Tomoyoshi:
The word "enjoy" was used by the company's founder, Masataka Taketsuru. For this reason, we first value it as a word that carries the thoughts of the founder.

Also, because the founder himself left such words, This brand doesn't have to stop, when you play, play to the fullest, and keep up with the times It's also a phrase that makes me think that we should create things that enrich our hearts.

Mr. Kato:
The English translation of "enjoyment" is not "fun" but "savor the joy of life."

Since whisky is a matter of personal taste, we use the word "tanoshimu" not just to mean "enjoy," but to convey a sense of deep exploration and curiosity—hence, we use the term "tanoshimu" with a richer nuance.

Mr. Kato talks about the thoughts behind "enjoyment"

Promoting Nikka Whisky’s 'Innovative' Image

Dear WHISKY：
It's been about a month and a half since the store opened, but what kind of customers are coming to the store?

Mr. Kato:
20、30Teenage customersOverall inhalfIt occupies about a minute. Also, the male-to-female ratio is about 6 to 4, which is about half!Nikka Whisky customers ageConstructionChenglayerMuch more thanSince the team is relatively young, I think we've been able to present a fresh new image.

Future Prospects

A variety of cocktails served at THE NIKKA WHISKY TOKYO

Dear WHISKY：
How do you want people to enjoy "THE NIKKA WHISKY TOKYO"?

Mr. Tomoyoshi:
I hope that it will become a place for people to interact, like an extension of overseas pubs.

I would like to create a space where various people, regardless of nationality or gender, can have many scenes of enjoying themselves freely while having conversations such as "This is delicious" and "This is interesting" in this same space.

Mr. Kato:
In the Japanese market, whisky is still strongly associated with being drunk on the rocks, straight, or as a highball, and I think many people feel that "whisky isn't really for me."

I hope that even those people, through their experience at "THE NIKKA WHISKY TOKYO," will discover new ways to enjoy cocktails—thinking, "I didn't know you could have this much fun with cocktails!" or "Whisky is actually this cool!"—and that this will inspire them to take the first step toward incorporating it into their lifestyle.

At Last

This is the on-site report of "THE NIKKA WHISKY TOKYO"!

To help guests truly "enjoy" whisky, the venue is filled with thoughtful touches throughout. The menu features classic cocktails brimming with hospitality and creative twist cocktails crafted by renowned Japanese bars—each one is so appealing that it's almost a shame they're only available for a limited time. That's the kind of bar this is.

Discover the allure of whisky at "The Lounge -MEET-," explore the depth of cocktails at "The Bar -EXPLORE-," and take home the experience of truly "enjoying" whisky at "The Shop –ENRICH–." Don't miss out on this unique experience that can only be found at "THE NIKKA WHISKY TOKYO."