Nikka Coffey Malt 90th Anniversary

Volume: 0.7 litres | Alcohol content: 45% | Chill filtration: Yes | Colouring: No

Special Features:

To mark Nikka’s 90th anniversary, Coffey Malt is presented in limited-edition gift packaging. The bottle contains 0.7 litres of whisky at 45%. Nikka uses only malted barley and distils the whisky in continuous Coffey stills rather than pot stills. Despite its raw material, this production method places Coffey Malt in the grain whisky category.

Nikka matures the whisky in previously used casks intended to bring out its malty character and silky texture. Pear, citrus, plum and raisin sit alongside vanilla, praline and pastry notes. A note of mirabelle plum adds to the fruit character.

The anniversary packaging puts an existing bottling in the spotlight. Nikka developed Coffey Malt to demonstrate what its Coffey stills could do with malted barley.

Tasting Notes:

• Nose: The nose offers citrus, pear and vanilla.
• Palate: On the palate, plum and raisin join vanilla, praline and pastry notes.
• Finish: Plum and a hint of liquorice linger through the medium-length finish.

Distillery/Bottler:

Masataka Taketsuru founded Nikka’s predecessor company in 1934. Nikka brought its first Coffey still from Scotland to Japan in 1963, initially operating it at the Nishinomiya plant. The Miyagikyo distillery followed in 1969, and Nikka moved its Coffey stills there in 1999.

These traditional continuous stills are demanding to operate but retain flavours from the raw material. Nikka uses them for both Coffey Grain and Coffey Malt, and bottles the latter itself.

Facts: