Nikka Coffey Gin

The Nikka company is probably most famous for its Whisky (Coffey Malt and Coffey Grain) but the Nikka company started (well, it’s predecessor anyway) originally making apple juice after World War II with surplus apples that were used to make rations during the war which were no longer needed.

The founder of the company travelled the Scotland to learn how to make Scotch in the big Scotch Whisky houses. When he returned to Japan, he created a series of whiskies which now form pillars in the Japanese Whisky industry. The still that was used to make those whiskies was unique (named after its creator, Aeneas Coffey) and was one of the first styles of entirely vapour infusion, column stills. The original still has now been retired from making Whisky and is dedicated to the production of Nikka Coffey Gin.

This gin is just about the most complex gin we’ve ever tasted and it’s great neat (by itself) or on the rocks. That said, with a little Capi Tonic and garnishes with apple (more for the hat tip to Nikka’s origins than the flavour), this is a clean, balanced and wonderfully complex drink.

Please note: The Prohibition Feature video has been filmed and will be online on 20 November.