--- title: Nikka Coffey Grain Whisky description: Nikka Coffey Grain Whisky is not a Japanese Bourbon or even Japanese Corn Whiskey. This is quite something...else. There is most likely 8-12 years. image: https://blog.thepotstill.irish/hubfs/20200725_185757.jpg --- [![The Pot Still - Whiskey Review and Blog - Craig Ellis](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/hs-fs/hubfs/The%20Pot%20Still%20-%20Whiskey%20Review%20and%20Blog%20-%20Craig%20Ellis.png?width=50&height=36&name=The%20Pot%20Still%20-%20Whiskey%20Review%20and%20Blog%20-%20Craig%20Ellis.png "The Pot Still - Whiskey Review and Blog - Craig Ellis")](https://www.thepotstill.irish/) ## The Pot Still read # Nikka Coffey Grain Whisky By Craig Ellis Author Bio: Craig's love for all things whiskey began when he visited his first distillery, Talisker in 2006. During his free time, he likes to visit distilleries around the globe, planning his travel around these locations. Craig created The Pot Still in 2016 when he first started to collect rare and unusual whiskeys. His whiskey collection has grown and grown since. Craig writes and reviews independently and is not commissioned by any brand or distillery. Craig's views and opinions are his own. ![Nikka Coffey Grain Whisky](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/hubfs/20200725_185757.jpg) - ** - ** - ** Japanese whisky follows the standard and model of Scotch Whiskey in its production methods and whisky style. To be specific, you get two main types of whiskey, *malt whisky* (made from malted barley using traditional copper pot stills) and *grain whisky* (which can incorporate various grains, most typically corn, made in a continuous column still). If one decides to create a whiskey with a mixture of the two of these, then what you get is a *blended whisky* (or a simply, a blend).   ## Coffey Still: ![File:Coffey still.jpg - Wikimedia Commons](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5e/Coffey_still.jpg) Typically in Scotland, there is a wide range of single malt whiskys and these are seen in the higher end product, therefore blends are mostly seen towards the low end of quality whiskys. However, as with most crafts, there are exceptions, (see Compass Box, for example), but this does serve as a good general rule. The result is that grain whisky production is largely a commodity-driven, high-volume industrial enterprise in Scotland, sometimes quantity over quality... that's for another time, another discussion, another place... The biggest difference here with Japanese whisky production is a focus on making high-quality blends. To do this, you must take some care in your grain whisky production. ![20200725_185757](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/hs-fs/hubfs/20200725_185757.jpg?width=709&name=20200725_185757.jpg) I recently chose The Nikka Coffey Grain Whisky to sample for a Japanese Tasting Night for our whiskey society, as this one is fairly commonly available. What I mean by this is, Japanese whisky is hate to get your hands on due to the high demand and lack of supply, and this is a reasonably priced whisky, again, for Japanese whisky it's well priced due to the demand and supply factors. Also, this is an unusual creation in the whisky world, a pure grain whisky. Made at the Miyagikyo distillery operated by Nikka, this corn whisky is produced in a continuous Coffey still, which is one of two in operation by Nikka for over 50 years now. Bottled at 45% ABV. The fact there there is no sign of any malt whisky in the bottle means that the Nikka Coffey Grain is in some ways more like a Bourbon than a traditional Scotch. This is not "Japanese Bourbon" or even "Japanese Corn Whiskey." This is quite something... else. There is no age statement, but the benchmark for this whisky is 8-12 years. The profile is candy filled, and while it is slick, it is not sticky sweet on your palate. Some vanilla and cinnamon are added to the flavours found along with honey wine and peaches. ### Tasting Notes: Nikka Coffey Grain Whisky  **Nose**: Sweeter and fruitier than the Coffey Malt, this is has oodles of sweet spice, mango and papaya aromas, candied orange peel and coconut. **Palate**: Toffee popcorn, with more of that heady citrus and tropical fruit. Quite a mouthful. **Finish**: Not especially long lasting; rich oak and marmalade notes dominate. Tags: [Japanese Whisky](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/japanese-whisky) Whiskey Search ## The Pot Still Founded by Craig Ellis to educate the world on all whiskey types. Follow The Pot Still for reviews, virtual whiskey tastings, and all the latest whiskey news. - New to Whiskey? - World Whiskey Intro - Pot Still Whiskeys - Irish made - Scotch Whiskey - A fan of smoke - Japanese Whiskey - Blended taste ### Posts by Tag - [Irish Whiskey (117)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/irish-whiskey) - [Whiskey News (35)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/whiskey-news) - [Bourbon Whiskey (27)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/bourbon-whiskey) - [Whiskey (26)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/whiskey) - [American Whiskey (23)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/american-whiskey) - [Scotch Whisky (22)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/scotch-whisky) - [Teeling (22)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/teeling) - [Single Malt (20)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/single-malt) - [Whiskey Tasting (12)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/whiskey-tasting) - [Rye Whiskey (11)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/rye-whiskey) - [Japanese Whisky (9)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/japanese-whisky) - [Midleton (9)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/midleton) - [Bushmills (6)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/bushmills) - [Redbreast (6)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/redbreast) - [The Pot Still PodCask (6)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/the-pot-still-podcask) - [Athrú (5)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/athrú) - [Egan's (5)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/egans) - [Jameson (5)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/jameson) - [Lambay (5)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/lambay) - [Powerscourt (5)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/powerscourt) - [Fercullen (4)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/fercullen) - [Peated Whisky (4)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/peated-whisky) - [Powers (4)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/powers) - [Whiskey Investment (4)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/whiskey-investment) - [Garden County Distillery (3)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/garden-county-distillery) - [Grain Whiskey (3)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/grain-whiskey) - [Latest News (3)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/latest-news) - [Lough Gill (3)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/lough-gill) - [Michter's (3)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/michters) - [Pot Still Whiskey (3)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/pot-still-whiskey) - [Whiskey Types (3)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/whiskey-types) - [Blended Whiskey (2)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/blended-whiskey) - [Cocktail (2)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/cocktail) - [Dingle Whiskey (2)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/dingle-whiskey) - [Kilbeggan (2)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/kilbeggan) - [Laphroaig (2)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/laphroaig) - [Natterjack (2)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/natterjack) - [Oloroso (2)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/oloroso) - [Poitín (2)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/poitín) - [Regulations (2)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/regulations) - [Roe & Co (2)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/roe-co) - [W.D. O'Connell (2)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/w-d-oconnell) - [Whiskey Making (2)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/whiskey-making) - [Wild Turkey (2)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/wild-turkey) - [Wonders of Wood (2)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/wonders-of-wood) - [World Whiskey Award (2)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/world-whiskey-award) - [jack daniel's (2)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/jack-daniels) - [AI (1)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/ai) - [Aberfeldy (1)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/aberfeldy) - [Aldi (1)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/aldi) - [Alternative Investments (1)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/alternative-investments) - [American (1)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/american) - [Bar 1661 (1)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/bar-1661) - [Blackwater Distillery (1)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/blackwater-distillery) - [Blanton's (1)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/blantons) - [Boann Distillery (1)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/boann-distillery) - [Brewery (1)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/brewery) - [Bulleit (1)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/bulleit) - [Cask (1)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/cask) - [Chivas Regal (1)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/chivas-regal) - [Clonakilty (1)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/clonakilty) - [Cognac Cask (1)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/cognac-cask) - [Cooley Distillery (1)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/cooley-distillery) - [Cooper (1)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/cooper) - [Currach (1)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/currach) - [Curraghmore Estate (1)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/curraghmore-estate) - [Diageo (1)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/diageo) - [Dublin Whiskey Fire (1)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/dublin-whiskey-fire) - [Eagle Rare (1)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/eagle-rare) - [Fermentation (1)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/fermentation) - [Ferncullen (1)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/ferncullen) - [Food (1)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/food) - [Foxes Bow (1)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/foxes-bow) - [French Whisky (1)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/french-whisky) - [Garavogue (1)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/garavogue) - [Glendalough (1)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/glendalough) - [Glenfarclas (1)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/glenfarclas) - [Gortinore (1)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/gortinore) - [Hawk's Rock (1)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/hawks-rock) - [Heaven Hill (1)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/heaven-hill) - [Hibiki (1)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/hibiki) - [How To Guide (1)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/how-to-guide) - [Hyde Whiskey (1)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/hyde-whiskey) - [Irishman (1)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/irishman) - [Islay (1)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/islay) - [JJ Corry (1)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/jj-corry) - [Jack Ryan (1)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/jack-ryan) - [Keeper's Heart (1)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/keepers-heart) - [Knob Creek (1)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/knob-creek) - [Kooper Family (1)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/kooper-family) - [Lakeview (1)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/lakeview) - [Lyre's Spirits (1)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/lyres-spirits) - [Macallan (1)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/macallan) - [May Loag (1)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/may-loag) - [Molly Malone (1)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/molly-malone) - [NFT (1)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/nft) - [Nikka (1)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/nikka) - [Non-Alcoholic (1)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/non-alcoholic) - [O'Shaughnessy Distilling (1)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/oshaughnessy-distilling) - [Old Forester (1)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/old-forester) - [PX (1)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/px) - [Pikesville (1)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/pikesville) - [Port (1)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/port) - [Prohibition (1)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/prohibition) - [Rademon Estate Distillery (1)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/rademon-estate-distillery) - [Rum Cask (1)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/rum-cask) - [Sailor's Home (1)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/sailors-home) - [Shortcross (1)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/shortcross) - [Single Cask (1)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/single-cask) - [Spot Whiskeys (1)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/spot-whiskeys) - [Stranahans (1)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/stranahans) - [Sustainability (1)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/sustainability) - [Talisker (1)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/talisker) - [Tullamore Dew (1)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/tullamore-dew) - [Walsh Whiskey (1)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/walsh-whiskey) - [Wicklow Whiskey Society (1)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/wicklow-whiskey-society) - [Willett (1)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/willett) - [Writer's Tears (1)](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/writers-tears) [See all](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/nikka-coffey-grain-whisky#) ### Recent Posts ### Subscribe to our Blog! ### Related Articles** ## [Yamazaki 12 Year Single Malt 100th Anniversary](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/yamazaki-12-year-single-malt-100th-anniversary) *( read )* Topics: [Japanese Whisky](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/japanese-whisky) ## [The World's Most Exclusive Whiskeys: Rare Bottles and Legendary Distilleries](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/the-worlds-most-exclusive-whiskeys-rare-bottles-and-legendary-distilleries) *( read )* Topics: [Japanese Whisky](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/japanese-whisky) ## [What Are The Different Whiskey Types?](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/what-are-the-different-whiskey-types) *( read )* Topics: [Japanese Whisky](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/tag/japanese-whisky) ### Subscribe to The Chronicles of Marketing Newsletter ## Subscribe to our Email Subscription Sign up to The Pot Still Newsletter and we'll email you the latest blog posts to keep you up to date with all things Whiskey, especially Irish Whiskey. ![irish-whiskey-jameson-scotch-bourbon-1](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/hs-fs/hubfs/irish-whiskey-jameson-scotch-bourbon-1.png?width=1783&height=1783&name=irish-whiskey-jameson-scotch-bourbon-1.png) ![Team Bonding Whiskey Tasting - Corporate Events Online - Great ideas for team bonding online events](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/hs-fs/hubfs/Team%20Bonding%20Whiskey%20Tasting%20-%20Corporate%20Events%20Online%20-%20Great%20ideas%20for%20team%20bonding%20online%20events.jpeg?width=512&name=Team%20Bonding%20Whiskey%20Tasting%20-%20Corporate%20Events%20Online%20-%20Great%20ideas%20for%20team%20bonding%20online%20events.jpeg "Team Bonding Whiskey Tasting - Corporate Events Online - Great ideas for team bonding online events") ![The Pot Still](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/hs-fs/hubfs/potstill-e1500501269525%20(1).png?width=75&name=potstill-e1500501269525%20(1).png "The Pot Still") The Pot Still, your source for tasting notes, reviews, and ratings of Irish, Bourbons, Scotches and Whiskeys of the world. The Pot Still was created to follow the explosion of energy, innovation, and to track the rise of the new whiskey lifestyle, especially the Revival of the Irish Whiskey Industry. - [**](https://www.facebook.com/The-Pot-Still-1949732538440151) - [**](https://www.instagram.com/the_pot_still/) - [**](hhttps://twitter.com/Crellis31) - [**](https://anchor.fm/the-pot-still) #### Navigate #### Recent News [The Garavogue: Where Sligo's Poetic Soul Meets a 20-Year Whiskey Masterpiece from Hawk's Rock](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/the-garavogue-where-sligos-poetic-soul-meets-a-20-year-whiskey-masterpiece-from-hawks-rock) June 30, 2025 [Redbreast 15 Year Old Cask Strength](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/redbreast-15-year-old-cask-strength) June 4, 2025 [Roe & Co Power House Garden Returns](https://blog.thepotstill.irish/roe-co-power-house-garden-returns) June 18, 2024 #### Subscribe #### Shop for Whiskey [![irish malts irish whiskey shop the pot still](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/632486/e5082328-8680-4db4-8869-f16837f65d1c.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/632486/e5082328-8680-4db4-8869-f16837f65d1c) Copyrights © 2026 All Rights Reserved by The Pot Still **