Nikka-Japanese Whisky

Nicknamed the "Father of Japanese Whisky", Nikka Whisky founder Masataka Taketsuru shaped the history of Japanese whiskey with the loving support of his Scottish wife Rita.

The founder, Masataka Taketsuru, traveled to Scotland in 1918 to learn firsthand the process of distilling Scotch whiskey. He studied organic chemistry at Glasgow University and malt whiskey making at Hazelburn Distillery in Campbeltown near Mull of Kintyre. He married Jessie Roberta "Rita" Cowan, the daughter of a Glasgow doctor, and returned to Japan with her in 1920.

In 1923 he joined Kotobukiya (now Suntory) and helped set up a distillery before founding Nikka in 1934. Nikka's main distillery is located in Yoichi, the neighboring town of Otaru.

After her death, the company was managed by her adopted son, Takeshi Taketsuru, who significantly expanded the business.