Masataka Taketsuru, founder of the Nikka Whisky Company, came to Scotland in 1919 to study at the University of Glasgow and also spent time at several scotch whisky distilleries.

Takeshi Taketsuru, son of the original Masataka Taketsuru, is to make a visit to Scotland this July at the invitation of the Scottish Malt Whisky Society in Edinburgh to mark the special bottling of Yoichi Single Malt by the Society. In addition, he plans to follow 'in the footsteps of his father.'

Takeshi Taketsuru will visit the University on Friday 26 July 2002 as a guest of the Principal, Professor Sir Graeme Davies. During his visit, he will present a donation in memory of his father which will be known as ' The Taketsuru Prize'.

The prize will be awarded for the first time next year to the best student performance in the work placement element of the M.Sci course, echoing the footsteps of Masataka Taketsuru during his visit to Scotland back in 1918.

Masataka Taketsuru initially worked for Suntory on his return to Japan but eventually left to establish his own company, which later became known as the Nikka Whisky Distilling Company, now a part of Asahi Breweries. He was responsible for the establishment of Nikka's Yoichi Distillery on the Northern island of Hokkaido, a place he considered closest in character to the distilleries he had seen in Scotland.

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Media Relations Office (media@gla.ac.uk)

Yoichi Single Malt Cask Strength 10 year old whisky last year won the "Best-of-the-Best" award from amongst the top 47 whiskies from around the world featured in previous editions of "Whisky" magazine. Simultaneous tastings were held in Edinburgh, Kentucky and Tokyo to determine the top whisky.

The Edinburgh-based Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS) has decided to bottle its first-ever Japanese whisky this autumn. The bottling will be given a special label and assigned the numerical distillery code of 116.

You are invited to be represented at a photocall on Friday 26 July at 1800h at the Principal?s Lodge ? located at far end of Professors? Square.

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First published: 24 July 2002