Nikka Whisky Distilling Company is located in Japan, and was created by Masataka Taketsuru, considered as the father of Japanese Whisky. He was the son of a sake brewer, and after studying chemistry at university he trained at several Scottish distilleries before returning to Japan in 1920 with his Scottish wife, Rita. After working for the company that would become Suntory (Kotobukiya Limited) and making the first Japanese whisky, he struck out on his own, setting up the Yoichi distillery and the Nikka parent company. The company also owns separate distilleries for making Shochu (spirit made by distilling a wide variety of base ingredients, the main ones being rice, barley and sweet potato) and facilities for making cider brandy and apple wine. In 2001, Nikka was purchased by Asahi Breweries.
Nikka From The Barrel is a blended whisky which was released in 1985. The development of this expression started with an aim to deliver full flavours and richness of whisky like "from the barrel". It is created by blending more than 100 different batches of malt and grain whiskies. After blending, the whisky is filled into used barrels and matured for another few months.