Review - Nikka Whisky "Nikka Coffey Grain" and "From the Barrel" (in my poor English)
I want to write an article about Japanese whisky tonight, especially "Nikka Coffey Grain" and "From the Barell" by The Nikka Whisky Distilling Co. Ltd.
If you want to know more about Nikka, you can read official website in English.
Summary
- The reason why Nikka's blended whiskies are tasty is special Coffey grain whisky, I guess.
- Single grain whisky "Nikka Coffey Grain" has so rich, lovely aroma and taste. Try it!
- "From the Barrel" is an inexpencive high proof whisky. It is very tasty because of Nikka's unique malt whiskies and Coffey grain whisky. "From the Barrel" won a lot of prestigious prizes.
Read more?
Single grain whisky "Nikka Coffey Grain"(N/A,alc.45%, 70cl)(Price in Japan is nearly 32£, 45€, 48US$ or so)
I misunderstood that malt whisky is unique, but grain whisky is not so unique.
So I thought "Single grain whisky? I wanna buy some single malt whisky instead of that."
However I got to want to know the reason why Nikka's blended whiskies are especialy attractive.
Suntory is No.1 Japanese whisky maker(Nikka is No.2) and you probably know Suntory's expensive whiskies won many prizes,for example Yamazaki, Hakushu or Hibiki.
But Suntory's inexpensive blended whiskies are not so good, and Nikka's blended whiskies in inexpensive price range are better.
I guessed that the reason of gap of quality between Suntory and Nikka would be grain whisky. And now I'm sure that it is a trueth.
"Nikka Coffey Grain" is very unique and high quality, sweet like burnt sugar, woody, vanillish. There's no bad smell(like rubber or nail varnish remover) which bourbon whisky often has. Coffey pot still of Nikka is in Miyagikyo distillery, nice and rich water is available in Miyagikyo.
By the way, Suntory started to sell single grain whisky "Chita" from 2015. It is not so good. You can understand what I guessed.
Blended Whisky "From the Barrel"(N/A, alc.51.4%, 50cl) (Price in Japan is nearly 14£, 19€, 20US$ or so)
"From the Barrel" is blended of Miyagikyo malt whisky, Yoichi malt whisky, and Coffey grain whisky. It is a unique high proof Japanese blended whisky, the taste is like between scotch and bourbon.
I feel the key of "From the Barrel" is Coffey grain whisky.
Yeah, I can feel mainly Miyagikyo's fruity aroma, a little Yoichi's peated aroma and deeply woody aroma from barrels. However you can find Coffey grain whisky's unique aroma and taste soon, if you have tried "Nikka Coffey Grain".
Uh, I feel it difficult to explain the taste of "From the Barrel" completely. So try it!
