🥃 Nikka Coffey Grain
Japanese grain whisky from Nikka made in a Coffey column still: mostly corn, used American oak barrels; 45% ABV, since 2012.
Nikka Coffey Grain is a Japanese grain whisky from Nikka, distilled in a Coffey column still. According to the producer, its base is mostly corn, and Difford's Guide adds a little malted barley. Its strength is 45% ABV, and there is no age statement. It was released as a separate version in 2012.
Eneas Coffey patented this continuous still in 1830. Masataka Taketsuru learned to work with it in Scotland in 1919; Nikka brought in the first such still in 1963 and the second in 1966. The still retains more grain flavour than modern columns. The whisky matures in used, reconditioned and re-charred American oak barrels; Difford's Guide mentions an average age of about 12 years.
Why this matters to you. Grain whisky is usually softer and sweeter than single malt. Compare it with Nikka Coffey Malt, which comes from the same still but is made from 100% malt. This whisky is often drunk with soda in a highball. The WHO reminds us that there is no safe amount of alcohol.
Facts
| Alcohol (% vol.) | 45% ABV |
|---|---|
| Raw material | mostly corn, a little malted barley (Difford's Guide) |
| Distillation method | Coffey column still (Nikka has had such stills since 1963 and 1966) |
| Cask type | used, reconditioned and re-charred American oak barrels |
| Minimum maturation | no age statement; according to Difford's Guide, about 12 years on average |
| Year founded | 2012 |
| Legal basis | JSLA standard for Japanese whisky (voluntary, from 01.04.2021) |
How it connects to Spirits
🥃 Nikka Coffey Grain → affects → 🍷 Alcohol and health ← affects ← 🥃 Spirits
Links
- Previous step
- 🥃 Column still
- Packed in
- 🐝 American white oak
- Made from
- 🥃 Rye and corn in whisky
- What it contains
- 🍷 Ethanol
- What it affects
- 🍷 Alcohol and health, 🍷 Drunk driving
- Part of
- 🥃 Nikka, 🥃 Japanese whisky
- Similar and different
- 🥃 Irish Grain Whiskey, 🥃 Yoichi Single Malt, 🥃 Yoichi Single Malt, 🥃 Nikka Coffey Malt, 🥃 Nikka Coffey Malt
Frequently asked questions
Is it true that the name Coffey is connected with coffee?
No. It comes from the surname of Eneas Coffey, who patented the continuous column still in 1830.
What is Nikka Coffey Grain made from?
Mostly corn; Difford's Guide also mentions a small share of malted barley.
What is the strength of Nikka Coffey Grain?
45% ABV.
What to read next
- 🍷 Alcohol and health — Alcohol in any drink is harmful in large amounts, and the risks grow with the quantity.
- 🍷 Ethanol — The alcohol formed during fermentation that makes you drunk.
- 🐝 American white oak — A North American oak that gives wine strong vanilla and coconut notes.
- 🥃 Irish Grain Whiskey — Irish whiskey from column stills: no more than 30% malt, the rest maize, wheat or barley; lighter in taste, the backbone of blends.
- 🥃 Yoichi Single Malt — Single malt Japanese whisky from Nikka's Yoichi distillery on Hokkaido: stills heated by direct coal fire, peat and smoke; 45% ABV, no age statement.
Similar
🥃 Nikka From The Barrel · 🥃 Miyagikyo Single Malt · 🥃 Nikka Coffey Malt · 🥃 Yoichi Single Malt · 🥃 Blanton's Gold Edition · 🥃 Blanton's Special Reserve
⚠️ Spirit drinks contain alcohol and are for adults only. Alcohol harms health. Do not drink during pregnancy or before driving; check the label for ingredients and possible allergens.
Sources
- Nikka Whisky: Nikka Coffey Grain and Nikka Coffey Malt (45 %; Coffey Grain predominantly corn, launched 2012; Coffey Malt 100 % malted barley, launched 2013, classified as grain whisky; Coffey stills imported 1963 and 1966)
- Difford's Guide: Nikka Coffey Grain Whisky (45 %; Coffey still; mostly corn with a little malted barley; average 12 years in used American oak)
- WHISKY Magazine: New Japanese whisky labelling standards released (JSLA, effective 01.04.2021, voluntary)
- WHO/Europe: No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health (04.01.2023)