NIKKA COFFEY GRAIN WHISKY (90 Proof/not 80 as stated in Distiller notes) *NOSE: Very Bourbon-ish on first sample. There is Prominent Dry Dusty Conrmeal and Light Savory Umami notes that overwhelm for a bit. Give this Whisky some time! Returning to it a few minutes later you are met with Light Florals and hints of Wood Spices (Sandalwood and Cedar). There is a Sweetness that is trying its best to bust through, but just can't quite make it. A few minutes later and BOOM...there it is. Maple Glazed Donut, Honey, and the smell of Day Old Buttercream Icing (after it has sat out and develops that thin crust of dried sugar on top). Very Sweet. *NEAT: Let's skip straight to the Mouthfeel, as it is the basis for all that follows. Fatty, Buttery, Oily and Coating. It allows the flavors to cling to the palate. Like the nose, the tasting experience also requires a little time. It enters the Palate with a Maple Buttercream Sweetness that is quickly replaced by the Herbal Bite of Clove and Black Strap Licorice. After a few sips (Just to remind you that its mash bill is almost all corn) it evolves into Warm Hushpuppies dipped in Honey Butter, those Bright Orange Circus Peanuts, and a Light Malty Smokiness. Not sure if it's subliminal suggestion from the name on the bottle, but I'll be damned if there isn't Coffee with Cream and heaping teaspoons of Sugar. The woods from the nose don't show up here, but there is a slight Tannic Bitterness underlying. There is a tingle on the Medium Length Finish as well, but not Black Pepper...More like a Ginger Tingle without the Ginger flavor (if that makes sense). Honey Butter, Creamed Corn, and the Herbal Notes Coat and layer the palate. *SPLASH: Ups the Sweetness even more. Brown Sugar on the Nose and Those Circus Peanuts take over the Palate. A Few Wood Notes finally make an appearance, but almost as an afterthought. *VERDICT: This was picked up solely on a whim after my recent experience with Nikka SFTB. After first nose and taste I was ready to hate this...and I mean a lot. The Nose was weird, the Palate was simple and boring, but patience Young Grasshopper. Time in the glass changed this one more than any whisky in recent memory. I went from wondering if I could even give it a 2 to a 4.25. Only 2 issues for me here. 1)You've got to really be in a sweet mood to fully enjoy this one. 2)I don't understand the $70 price tag. It is basically the same price as Nikka SFTB which seems to be a much more complicated whisky to produce. Despite those two minor quibbles, Nikka is batting a thousand with me so far.