Nikka Coffey Malt Japanese Whisky
Specs
ABV: 45%
Age: NAS
Recipe: 100% malted barley. Distilled in a Coffey still
Distiller: Nikka
Country: Japan
Price Paid (MSRP): $60 ($65)
Tasting Notes
Nose: Light and floral, butterscotch, honey, vanilla, and a little orange.
Palate: Thin the medium mouth feel and surprisingly hot, sweet with more of that vanilla and butterscotch, grainy, green apple and pear.
Finish: Short finish with more of the same. Those vanilla and butterscotch notes re-emerge but then it ends with a tannic tea bitterness.
Rating: 49/100 – Sub-par | Many things I’d rather have
I’m not impressed by this Coffey Malt, especially when factoring in price. There’s a reason why my bottle has sat open in the back of my cabinet for over two years now. It tastes young, grainy, and quite frankly boring. It reminds me a lot of younger Irish whiskeys, but lacks the creamy notes. As has been my experience with most Japanese whiskies, there’s nothing here that can’t be found in whiskies that are a fraction of the cost.
Looking at the vanilla and butterscotch finishing notes, what other whiskeys are you looking at for a fraction of the price?
For those notes specifically I’d look to Balvenie Doublewood or Redbreast 12 as superior examples. Either one will should save you about $25 over the Nikka.