NIKKA The Grain

Type: Whiskey

Origin: Japan

Bottle Size: 700ml

Alcohol Content: 48% ABV

Nikka Discovery Series: The Grain

It’s a blend of seven grain whiskies from four Nikka distilleries, with vintage Coffey Grain from Miyagikyo in the spotlight (along with Coffey Malt, produced from 100% malted barley). What’s particularly notable about The Grain is that it contains whiskey from two distilleries, Moji and Satsumatsukasa, which have historically been used to distill shochu.

Nikka The Grain is a great whiskey. The mouthwatering aromatic notes of marshmallow, caramel and oak lead to a palate with light fruit, vanilla, cinnamon, a hint of mint and soft oak in the finish.

The Japanese art that goes by the name of Nikka whiskey is the “child” of Masataka Taketsuru, the first person to create Japanese whiskey. With extensive experience in the distillation of Scottish malt, in 1933 he opened his own distillery in order to create his own premium Japanese whisky. Today, Japanese Nikka whiskeys have 2 distilleries, one in Hokkaido (Yoici Distillery) and one in Miyagi (Miyagikyo/Sendai Distillery). Yoichi is the last distillery to use coal-fired heating in Japan, which helps to preserve the traditional character of the distillery. On the other hand, Miyagikyo produces whiskey that is lighter and fruitier, similar to those of the Scottish Lowlands. It is noteworthy that here they mix malt whiskey with grain whiskey, a process that few distilleries in Scotland do.