Nikka Coffee Grain Whisky

My Price: $72.95

Country/Area: Japan

Distillery: Nikka Whisky Distilling

Proof/ABV: 90 Proof/45% ABV

Mash Bill: 95% Corn 5% Malted Barley

Barrel:

Age: No Age Statement (tastes young)

Nose: Metallic Vanilla, Honeysuckle and Hay

Taste: Carmel, Bread and Melon

Review:

Japanese whiskies have not been at the top of my list since a friend gave me a bottle of Yamazaki 12. Although I am a fan of scotches, I always felt the Japanese offerings were over priced for how they compared. When a coworker told me her favorite whiskey was Nikka Coffee Grain, I decided I needed to pick up a bottle.

Named for the Coffey still which is used to produce the Coffee Grain whisky it does not show an age statement and I could not find what kind of barrels were being used to age the whisky but it likely follows the Scotch tradition of used oak.

Upon opening the bottle and pouring a dram, I was pleasantly surprised when the sweetness jumped out of the glass at me. After doing a little research I discovered the 95% corn mash bill was probably where all of this sweetness was coming from. Although a little metallic and young tasting I do love the sweet fruit and caramel notes that come from the glass. This whisky made me want to break out all of my Speyside scotches to see if any came close to the Coffey Malt.

My Rating: Sip It. Although it is far and away my favorite Japanese Whisky it is still a bit on the spendy side.

May the miles you hike be filled with wonder and the glasses you raise be filled with whiskey.

Cheers!

Rating scale:

-Spit: Don’t bother with this one. If a friend gives you a dram of it, are they even your friend?

-Shoot: Good enough to get you drunk.

-Sip: Tasty enough to enjoy neat or on the rocks.

-Stock: I’d recommend keeping a bottle on hand.