The Coffey still is the world’s first patented continuous still invented by Aeneas Coffey in 1830. While Masataka Taketsuru was staying in Scotland, he had an opportunity to learn how to distill grain whisky in a Coffey still firsthand from craftsmen at James Calder in Bo'ness in 1919.
Masataka valued the feature of this type of still and installed two sets of Coffey stills after he established Nikka Whisky. The first still was imported from Scotland to Japan in 1963, followed by the second still in 1966. These traditional Coffey stills are not easy to operate and not efficient to obtain spirits. However, they retain flavors originating from ingredients and deliver a distinctive creamy texture.
Coffey Grain and Coffey Malt have been developed to showcase the beauty of our Coffey stills.
Coffey Grain
45% ABV 700ml, 750ml (USA)
This is a signature grain whisky which was released in 2012. Predominantly made from corn, whisky distilled in a Coffey still is matured in old casks such as re-filled, remade and re-charred casks originally made from American oak to deliver the sweet and mellow flavors of Coffey distillates.
Japanese whisky
This product meets all the criteria of “Japanese whisky “ defined by the Japan Spirits & Liqueur Makers Association. Read More
Coffey Malt
45% ABV 700ml, 750ml (USA)
This unique expression was developed in 2013 as a result of Nikka's continuous experiments to widen the variety and offer more excitements to aficionados. Made from 100% malted barley, whisky distilled in a Coffey still is matured in old casks to enhance the rich maltiness, complexity and a silky texture. This expression is not categorized as “malt whisky” but as “grain whisky” since it is not distilled in a pot still.
Whisky
This product does not meet all the criteria of “Japanese whisky “ defined by the Japan Spirits & Liqueur Makers Association. Read More
Coffey Malt is all distilled in Nikka’s Coffey stills, but a part of the old batches in the formula was made from distillates imported from Ben Nevis and then distilled in our Coffey stills as a part of our experiments in the past.
The availability of products will vary depending on the market.
