Description

Nikka Coffey Grain Whisky

A bold whisky-making journey began when Masataka Taketsuru, driven by a passion to craft authentic whisky in Japan, traveled to Scotland in 1918. Immersing himself in distilling traditions, from chemistry courses at the University of Glasgow to hands-on apprenticeships, he meticulously documented his learnings in what became known as the “Taketsuru Notes.” Upon returning, he first helped Suntory launch Japan’s inaugural malt whisky, but soon struck out on his own.

In 1934, he founded Dai Nippon Kaju in Yoichi, Hokkaido, and eventually rebranded it as Nikka. After years of hard work and perseverance, Nikka’s first whisky was released in 1940. The following decades saw the company evolve rapidly, reorganizing under the Nikka Whisky name in 1952, launching beloved lines like Black Nikka and Super Nikka, and opening a second distillery in Miyagikyo in 1969. Through plenty of ups and downs, Nikka built a legacy of diverse, high-quality whiskies and has carried forward Taketsuru’s pioneering dream into the future.

The Coffey still is the world’s first patented continuous still invented by Aeneas Coffey in 1830. While Masataka Taketsuru was staying in Scotland, he had an opportunity to learn how to distill grain whisky in a Coffey still firsthand from craftsmen at James Calder in Bo’ness in 1919. Masataka valued the feature of this type of still and installed two sets of Coffey stills after he established Nikka Whisky. The first still was imported from Scotland to Japan in 1963, followed by the second still in 1966. These traditional Coffey stills are not easy to operate and not efficient to obtain spirits. However, they retain flavors originating from ingredients and deliver a distinctive creamy texture.

This is a signature grain whisky which was released in 2012. Predominantly made from corn, whisky distilled in a Coffey still is matured in old casks such as re-filled, remade and re-charred casks originally made from American oak to deliver the sweet and mellow flavors of Coffey distillates.

Nikka Coffey Grain Whisky offers a vibrant and distinctive profile thanks to its Coffey still distillation. On the nose, it’s sweet and inviting with aromas of tropical fruit, ripe melon, vanilla custard, and a touch of coconut, layered over soft oak and light spice. The palate is smooth and creamy, bursting with flavors of caramel, toffee, and corn sweetness balanced by hints of citrus, banana, and a whisper of pepper. The finish is elegant and lingering, with notes of vanilla, gentle oak, and a subtle nuttiness that rounds out the experience.

Nikka Coffey Grain Whisky Notes To Your Senses:

• APPEARANCE: Golden amber
• AROMA: Sweet and inviting with aromas of tropical fruit, ripe melon, vanilla custard, and a touch of coconut, layered over soft oak and light spice
• TASTE: Smooth and creamy, bursting with flavors of caramel, toffee, and corn sweetness balanced by hints of citrus, banana, and a whisper of pepper
• FINISH: Elegant and lingering, with notes of vanilla, gentle oak, and a subtle nuttiness
• ABV: 45%