Nikka Coffey Grain

Bought this bottle at Narita International Airport during the trip in Japan. Nikka Coffey Grain is a single grain distilled in Coffey stills and mainly made of corn. This bottle has been opened for 9 months.

Nose: Vanilla, dried herbs, toffee, banana and cream.

Palate: Soft with moderate sweetness, clearly a corn whisky. Milk chocolate, pudding, cereal, apple, honey, and more vanilla.

Finish: Short and plain, a bit dry. Caramel, green vegetable and oak.

Balance: As expected, this corn-driven whisky is soft, sweet, smooth and no flaws like most classic Japanese whiskies, but lacking some kick and backbone on the other hand.

Overall: Despite being the shadow of most cheap Nikka blends, this single grain shows some interesting character, but nothing special in the flavor profiles. It really struggles to beat malts, maturation for a few more years or try different types of casks may help. Would it be possible for Nikka to make a rye whisky next?

It's April and we're having the third worst snow storm of the winter. Time for a review.

This sample is courtesy @Paddockjudge, who opened the bottle with me on Dec. 19 2015, and the sample was poured at the same time. It is tasted and reviewed in my usual manner.

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Nose: Fruity, light syrup, cinnamon, green apple, creaminess. 22/25

Taste: Fruit, sweet and sour, light, tasty but not very complex 21/25

Water doesn’t change this whisky but amplifies what is there.

Sweet finish 21/25

Balance: The nose and the palate complement each other well. 22/25

Total Score: 86/100

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Like many Japanese whiskies, There are no flaws in this. It’s a very tasty, clean, no impurities. But it is not as complex as some other whiskies. There is no mystery or intrigue.

These notes are based on a generous pour of Nikka, courtesy of my uncle. I didn't plan on reviewing it, but the Coffey Grain surprised me so much I ended up writing one anyway.

Nose: Sweet, citrus notes, towards grated orange rinds. There is an overall solid fruitiness to this whisky, complemented by spices. The nose has a character reminiscent of a quality bourbon, with pleasant vanilla and oak notes.

Palate: Quite a bit of sweetness from the corn. I also found a lot of barley on my palate, which was a pleasant surprise. The spicy notes had me thinking of a rye whiskey as well, with cinnamon and warming pepper. Curiously enough, I got a tiny initial hint of salt, but it passed rather quickly.

Finish: The finish was the least interesting part of this dram, not quite living up to the nose and palate. Spicy heat from cinnamon and pepper, with a good amount of sweetness and some caramel. The finish is reasonably long, but turned a bit sour towards the end.

Comment: I found this whisky to be very enjoyable, and I'll make sure to have a bottle in my cabinet.

No, it's not coffee-infused whisky. This a 100% corn whisky distilled from a Coffey Still designed by an Irish tax collector named Aeneas Coffey. The Coffey design still allows a greater portion of the spirit to re-circulate rather than leaving the still and deposit into the receiver. It is supposed to make a lighter, more refined whisky. This bottle has been opened for about three months. let's dig in!

Nose: Sweet corn. Thin caramel (if that makes any sense.) A bit sharp. A touch of oak. Vanilla. A bit herbal.

Palate: Arrives sweet. Tons of Pure, fresh vegetal corn. Reminiscent of freshly boiled corn-on-the-cob. A bit medicinal.

Finish: The sweetness continues strong, then it transforms into a interchanging dance between sweet and bitter. Finishes herbal with a touch of caramel.

This bottle was a gift from my brother for my birthday. He knows that I admire anything Japanese, especially their whiskies. So naturally, Nikka came to mind. I'm glad he went for this. It's good. It's vibrant, yet elegant. Of course, when it comes to complexity corn can not compare any way near barley. But i'm really enjoying this. Its a nice break between single malts.

After trying 2 Single Grains and some positive japanese whisky experiences, i decided to buy a bottle of this one.

Its "Nikka Coffey Grain", a single grain whisky made primarily of corn and distilled in Coffey Stills (more often called "Column Stills")

Color is a very bright yellow.Nose: starts very very fresh and sweet, notes of corn, vanilla,maybe a bit burnt caramel.After a few seconds i get more and more spices and almost toasted oak.Maybe a bit reminiscent of bourbon, bit not exactly.

Taste: Wonderful soft and richt mouthfeel,almost like syrup.Sweet corn,vanila and some hints of tropical fruits.Finish starts sweet also but fades more and more into oaky notes.

To me, this is another wonderful example of how good single grain whisky can be.Its definetly not as complex as single malt, but very drinkable and highly enjoyable!