Whiskey_Hound
Nikka Coffey Malt Whisky
Single Grain — Japan
Reviewed
December 4, 2019 (edited January 5, 2020)
Here we've got one from Japan's number 2 brand, Nikka. Suntory and its products take the cake as the clear number one, but Nikka isn't too far off in second place. This only refers to notoriety, not necessarily quality. I need to do some more digging to determine the latter. So here it is, my first Nikka review.
Nose: Huge honey note, followed by banana, toffee, butterscotch, and vanilla. Graham cracker and marshmallow. Extremely sweet, even a bit syrupy. Some brown sugar and maple. Slightly nutty (walnut). This one drives right up to the border of overly-sweet, but stops just short. It noses like banana walnut pancakes with maple syrup. Very good.
Palate: Still big honey, vanilla, butterscotch, toffee, brown sugar, and marshmallow notes. Walnut as well. The banana is now accompanied by some apple, pear, and apricot. There's chocolate, but it's more akin to a powdered hot chocolate than anything else. Slight oak spice. The palate trades the pancakes for a fruit bowl, but is otherwise relatively close to the nose.
*5 months later and I'm back. Definitely some tropical fruit here. Mango and pineapple. Especially mango. In fact, I'd say that's now the most dominant note on the palate. Interesting what time and oxidation do to a whisky.
Finish: The idea of the banana walnut pancakes with maple syrup resurfaces here, but very briefly. Then it's cinnamon, nutmeg, and oak spice for what adds up to moderate finish, maybe even on the short side. A bit underwhelming compared to the rest of the experience, but it's respectable in its own right.
Damn good stuff. The Suntory products have always reminded me of Scotch. This Nikka Coffee Malt, however, is completely unique to any other category of whisky. A lot to like here. Great balance, only dropping off slightly at the finish.
I paid $63, and feel I got my money's worth. I'll admit that Japanese whisky, in general, is overpriced. But within the context of the category, this appropriately priced. Great experience, looking forward to the Coffee Grain next. Nice job, Nikka.
63.0
USD
per
Bottle
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Great review, as always. I've been tempted by the CG but haven't seen the CM. Definitely on the lookout.
@Whiskey_Hound Oh, it's dreadful stuff (nudge, nudge ; wink, wink). Look at my review of the 10 year old.
@cascode That's some very interesting info. It makes a lot of sense that they can get away with this considering how quickly the Japanese whiskey market exploded. How is Ben Nevis by the way? I've not tried it nor have I heard much about it
@Whiskey_Hound Nikka bought Ben Nevis distillery in Scotland in 1989 specifically so they could source a hefty, oily, west-coast style highland malt for blending. About 75% of the annual production of Ben Nevis (probably around a 1,000,000 litres) goes to Nikka annually for this purpose. This is well documented. We know that a lot of it goes into "Black Nikka" blends, but the labelling laws in Japan are fast and loose so some of it could find its way into almost anything else they call a "Japanese blend". Like all Japanese distilleries Nikka were caught short by the enormous global demand for Japanese whisky a few years ago, but they were doing this way before then. The worst thing about this is not the sleight-of-hand, but the lack of Ben Nevis single malt availability it causes.
@cascode Really?? Hadn't heard that. I figured that they were well enough established by this point that any sourcing would in their rearview mirror. Good to know. And I agree that from the Barrel is a must try based on reputation. @jonwilkinson7309 Thanks man! I'm also a fan of the CG, or at least the couple times I've had it in bars. If you can handle a sugar bomb, then I'd say this is worth another go. @SolanaRoots Thank you! I typically see this one whithin $5 in either direction from the Grain. Maybe I've just got good luck with this one
Top review as always! I’ve been searching for this bottle throughout 2019 but it tends to be marked up vs the Coffey Grain. One of these days I’ll snag one
Great review! I'm a fan of the Coffey Grain, but the only time I've had the Malt was a couple of years ago, and I tried it alongside the Balcones single malt. As much as I like the Balcones, it may have limited my ability to appreciate the complexity and nuance of the Nikka. You've inspired me to give it another try!
Love both the Coffey Grain and Coffey Malt - Nikka has been a bit naughty occasionally with kind-of-but-not-quite passing off sourced stuff as their own, and then they go and do these two great whiskies .. and Nikka from the Barrel ...