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Masataka TaketsuruJapanese entrepreneur
Date of Birth: .
Country:  Japan |
Content:
- Early Life and Education
- Journey to Scotland
- Whiskey Apprenticeship
- Founding of Suntory
- Establishment of Nikka Whisky
- Later Years and Legacy
Early Life and Education
Masataka Taketsuru was born on June 20, 1894, in Takehara, Hiroshima Prefecture. He was the third son of sake brewers whose family had a long history in the industry dating back to 1733. After graduating from Osaka Technical School in 1916, he joined Settsu Shuzo, a sake brewing company.
Journey to Scotland
Settsu Shuzo sought to learn the techniques of whiskey production. In 1918, Taketsuru embarked on a journey to Scotland, passing through the United States and visiting wineries in San Francisco. He arrived in Glasgow in December and enrolled in the University of Glasgow, where he studied organic chemistry. During his stay, he met his future wife, Rita.
Whiskey Apprenticeship
Taketsuru and Rita married in 1920 and moved to Campbeltown in May. He gained hands-on experience in whiskey production at the Hazelburn Distillery. Upon his return to Japan in November, he discovered that Settsu Shuzo had abandoned its plans for whiskey production.
Founding of Suntory
Taketsuru left Settsu Shuzo in 1922 and joined Kotobukiya (now Suntory). He led the construction of the Yamazaki Distillery, where Japan's first whiskey was produced. However, he left Kotobukiya in 1934.
Establishment of Nikka Whisky
Taketsuru founded his own company, Dai Nippon Kaju, and built a distillery in Yoichi, Hokkaido. He believed this location offered the perfect combination of barley, peat, coal, and spring water essential for high-quality whiskey. In 1940, the company released its first whiskey, "Nikka." In 1952, Taketsuru renamed the company Nikka Whisky.
Later Years and Legacy
Taketsuru remained dedicated to the whiskey industry until his death from pneumonia on August 29, 1979. He is buried in Yoichi alongside his wife, who passed away in 1961. Taketsuru's pioneering spirit and contributions to the Japanese whiskey industry have left a lasting legacy on the world of spirits.
