Nikka "Coffey Malt" Whisky
(Japan) - [WA 94]

About Nikka: 
The founder of Nikka and the father of Japanese whisky, Masataka Taketsuru, received his training in Scotland while under contract for another company. Taketsuru founded Nikka in 1934 with the establishment of the Yoichi Distillery on the island of Hokkaido. Taketsuru's early successes prompted the development of a second distillery in 1969, this time built on the island of Honshu in the foothills of the Miyagi prefecture, two hours north of Tokyo.

About the Whisky:
The originality of this 100% malt expression lies in its unique distillation method. Malted barley is distilled in a Coffey still, a traditional continuous still which is normally used to produce grain whisky. 

• Nikka operates two Coffey stills (named after its inventor Aeneas Coffey). These were imported from Scotland in 1963 and yield a distillate with more flavor than modern column stills
• MASH BILL: 100% malted barley
• TASTING NOTES: cinnamon, clove, lemon, with rich oak & mild chocolate on the finish

ABV 45% / 90 proof

Awards/Reviews

94 Points - Whisky Advocate

"The nose offers ripe peaches, cherry Italian ice, pronounced but balanced oak influence, musty antique store, incense, and dry ashiness. The palate offers more baked peaches, as well as cookies-and-cream milkshake, macaroons, shortbread cookies, and peppery spice. The finish is smooth, with balanced sweetness and length, even more peaches, apricot, vanilla, and balanced spice. A unified, deep, and pleasurable dram, gentle but filled with complex flavor combinations." —DF (Fall 2024)

"Now a hugely welcome part of the core range, this whisky—made in Coffey stills at the Miyagikyo distillery—uses 100% malted barley as its base. The nose is all tinned peach, tropical fruit juice, and baked banana, with a surprising green celery note, coconut, and sherbet. The palate is silky, with some chocolate, biscuity oak, and orange blossom honey. Water brings those green notes forward to add freshness to the peach cobbler sweetness." - Whisky Advocate