First things first - the "coffey" in this whisky's name has nothing to do with the cup of Java you crave first thing every morning. It refers to a continuous column still patented in 1830 by Aenaes Coffey, an Irish excise officer, inventor and distiller. 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. Interestingly, although this whisky is made from 100% malted barley, it is considered a "grain" whisky as it was distilled using a continuous still, rather than a copper pot still. Additionally, this whisky does not meet all the criteria of “Japanese whisky “ defined by the Japan Spirits & Liqueur Makers Association. 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.