Is it true that Nikka Cafe Malt is no longer on sale? Will it be re-released? We checked to see if it can be purchased at the regular price.

Have you heard of the whiskey called "Nikka Cafe Malt"?
Nikka Cafe Malt is one of the whiskeys produced by Nikka Whisky, which is also known for its brands Yoichi, Miyagikyo, and Taketsuru. It is a whiskey made using a unique method, and boasts a unique personality and popularity.
This time, we'll be taking a look at Nikka Cafe Malt. We'll be introducing what kind of whiskey it is, its brewing process, and the reasons for its popularity, so be sure to check it out.

What kind of alcohol is Nikka Cafe Malt? What is a cafe-type continuous distiller?

Malt whisky released by Nikka Whisky

Nikkafe Malt is a brand of whiskey. It is made by Nikka Whisky , known for brands such as Yoichi and Miyagikyo . In Japan, it is officially sold by Asahi Breweries.
Nikka Cafe Malt is made at the Miyagikyo Distillery owned by Nikka Whisky. The raw material is malt, and its appeal is that you can fully enjoy the malty flavor and aroma. Some of the raw materials are imported from Scotland, so it does not fall under the category of so-called Japanese whiskey. However, it has a smooth and sweet taste that is typical of Miyagikyo Distillery, and is a masterpiece that shows the reliable technology of Nikka Whisky.

Made using a cafe-style continuous still

Although it's called Cafe Grain, it has nothing to do with coffee. It's named after Aeneas Cafe, who improved and patented a continuous still. The grain whiskey distilled with this "Café-style continuous still" is Nikka Cafe Grain! pic.twitter.com/P8xCz46NY8

— Nikka Whisky [Official] (@nikka_jp) November 18, 2014

Nikka Cafe Malt is very different from other malt whiskeys. Its biggest feature is that it is made using a "cafe-type continuous still."
In the production of regular malt whiskey, a single distillation machine called a pot still is used. However, in the production of Nikka Cafe Malt, a cafe-type continuous still is deliberately used instead of a pot still . Moreover, the cafe-type continuous still owned by Nikka Whisky is a traditional old-fashioned type. Although the old-fashioned type is less efficient in distillation, it has the characteristic that the aroma and components from the raw materials tend to remain in the distillate , which leads to the delicious flavor of Cafe Malt.
By the way, the old-style cafe-type continuous still is a traditional piece of equipment that was developed around 1830, and is called a cafe still after its developer, Aeneas Cafe. Nikka Whisky has been using old-style cafe stills since 1963. This reflects the commitment of Nikka Whisky founder Masataka Taketsuru. As a result of his pursuit of the true flavor of whiskey, malt whiskey made using a cafe-type continuous still was born.

Nikka Cafe Malt product information

• Alcohol content: 45%
• Release date: 2013
• Capacity: 700ml
• Price: 6,600 yen (tax included)

Nikka Cafe Malt was originally released in Europe. It quickly gained attention after its release and was later released in Japan. It is a whiskey that is enjoyed both overseas and in Japan, and it is clear that it has a flavor that is easy for everyone to enjoy .
Nikka Cafe Malt has an alcohol content of 45%, which is slightly higher than regular whiskey .
By the way, Nikka Cafe Malt is made from malt, but because of its special manufacturing process it is classified as grain whiskey. However, its flavor is different from other grain whiskeys, and it has a unique finish that is closer to that of malt whiskey.

The taste of Nikka Cafe Malt! Smooth mouthfeel and fragrant aroma.

Cafe Malt is amazingly delicious!
I'm going to drink this straight up 🥃 pic.twitter.com/smgyjTs3ZH

— Crispy Bacon (@saltandpepper66) October 11, 2022

Nikka Cafe Malt's flavor is characterized by its smooth and fragrant taste. It has the sweetness and aroma of malt, but is light and easy to drink. It has a creamy impression when you put it in your mouth, and the aftertaste is refreshing and well-balanced. This is the flavor that can only be achieved by using a cafe-style continuous distiller .
The aroma of Nikka Cafe Malt is often compared to banana or melon , with a fruity impression and a honey-like sweetness. It also has a soft richness, and although it has a high alcohol content, it is not too alcoholic, which is its charm.
Nikka Cafe Malt is delicious not only as a straight drink, but also as a cocktail base. The Nikka Whisky official website also recommends drinking it in cocktails, and the "Old Fashioned" which combines cafe malt with sugar cubes and bitters is a popular classic pairing.

Cafe Malt Old Fashioned Recipe

• Nikka Cafe Malt...60ml
• 1 sugar cube (brown sugar)
• Aromatic bitters...3 crushes
• Orange peel...a small amount

The Old Fashioned is a whiskey-based cocktail with the cocktail phrase "going my own way." As the phrase suggests, it is a cocktail that can be enjoyed for a long time without being influenced by trends.
It's easy to make, just put sugar cubes in a glass, shake aromatic bitters, add ice, and then add cafe malt . If you like, you can add orange peel, cherry peel, lemon peel, etc. to improve the appearance and aroma.
This cocktail can be made without a shaker , so it's easy to try at home. If you have the opportunity to drink Cafe Malt, please try the Old Fashioned.

International Spirits Challenge Award History

＼Breaking news／
Nikka Cafe Malt has won the Trophy, the highest award in its category, in the grain whisky category at the International Spirits Challenge (ISC) 2017, a global spirits tasting event!
▼For more information▼ ​​https://t.co/exP6SDhZNO pic.twitter.com/mCUSY6ZmRg

— Nikka Whisky [Official] (@nikka_jp) July 13, 2017

The deliciousness and quality of Nikka Cafe Malt is recognized on a global scale. At the 2017 International Spirits Challenge (ISC), it won the highest award trophy in the grain whisky category. This is Nikka's third whisky to win the highest award trophy, following Taketsuru 21 Year Pure Malt and From the Barrel.
Winning this international award has brought Nikka Cafe Malt even more attention. With the support of the whiskey boom, it has grown into a whiskey that is as popular as domestic single malts.

Nikka Cafe Malt is no longer on sale, so prices are soaring? What are the price trends and are there plans to resell it?

Nikka Cafe Malt is out of stock

Everything is sold out...even Cafe Malt...😞 pic.twitter.com/cdOeGdQ1Sw

— pipi (@pipi_tw) March 16, 2019

For reference, looking at the paid tasting menu of Miyagikyo Distillery, it seems that Cafe Malt and Cafe Grain are not discontinued, but are temporarily out of stock pic.twitter.com/6H2389LWdp

— Yayan (@Yha_Yan_) November 16, 2021

When researching Nikka Cafe Malt, you will find that there are a lot of topics about it being "discontinued" or "no longer available for sale ."
Since around 2018, domestic whiskey has been in short supply across the board. Nikka Cafe Malt is no exception, and the fact is that regular supply is no longer possible due to a lack of raw liquor . In fact, it has not been discontinued (the brand has been discontinued), but it has been suspended since 2019. It has been reported that the tasting menu at Miyagikyo Distillery also shows a mark indicating that it is a discontinued product.
It was originally released as a standard product that was sold year-round, but since it was discontinued, it has suddenly become a rare whiskey . If you are looking for Nikka Cafe Malt, keep in mind that it is a whiskey that is difficult to obtain.

The retail price has risen to over 10,000 yen

Nikka Cafe Malt Online Shopping Price Trend
2015	Approximately 5,000 yen
2018	Approximately 5,800 yen
2019	Approximately 9,000 yen
2020	Approximately 11,000 yen
2021	Approximately 12,000 yen
2022	Approximately 13,000 yen
2023 forecast	Approximately 14,000 yen

The table above summarizes the trends in the online price of Nikka Cafe Malt. As you can see from the table, the price of Nikka Cafe Malt, which is no longer on sale, is currently soaring in the market. Before it was discontinued, it was available for around 5,000 yen, but we can see that the price has skyrocketed since 2019. The price continues to rise, and as of the end of 2022, the online price is around 10,000 to 13,000 yen . The list price of Nikka Cafe Malt is 6,600 yen (tax included), so it is being sold for nearly double the price.
In recent years, the number of people buying whiskey for collection or investment purposes has been increasing. Nikka Cafe Malt, a rare whiskey, is also in demand even from people who don't plan on drinking it right now. Prices are likely to continue to rise unless the suspension is lifted.

There are no plans to resell it, but there are rumors that it is being made on a whim.

It seems like they make it on a whim in Miyagikyo's cafe still😆

— Garage BAR (Home bar) king (@BARking56014203) October 9, 2022

Nikka Cafe Malt is out of production, and many people are wondering , "When will it be available again?" and "Is it no longer available?" However, even though it is out of production, it is not completely discontinued , so please rest assured.
Nikka Cafe Malt, which is not released as a year-round product, is reportedly produced on a whim at Miyagikyo Distillery. In fact, it has been confirmed that it is irregularly stocked at liquor stores and sake restaurants.
Depending on the type and timing of the liquor store, you may be able to purchase Nikka Cafe Malt at the retail price . If you can find it at the regular price, you are very lucky, so be sure to pick it up.

Nikka's Cafe Still series, including Cafe Grain

Nikka Cafe Malt is not the only Nikka alcohol made using a cafe still. From here on, we will also introduce Nikka's cafe still series, "Nikka Cafe Grain," and other spirits.

Nikka Cafe Grain

• Type of alcohol: Grain whiskey
• Alcohol content: 45%
• Capacity: 700ml
• List price: 6,600 yen

Nikka Cafe Grain is part of the same series as Nikka Cafe Malt, and is made from grain liquor. By using a cafe still, it has a distinct sweetness that is more pronounced than regular grain whiskey. Like Nikka Cafe Malt, this is also a rare whiskey that is out of stock. Be careful, as the online price has risen to around 7,500 to 9,000 yen .
Grain whiskey, which has a sweet taste, is delicious whether drunk straight or in a cocktail, and has a different appeal from malt whiskey. It is a clean, light whiskey that is very easy to drink.

Nikka Cafe Gin

• Type of alcohol: Gin (spirits)
• Alcohol content: 47%
• Capacity: 700ml
• Price: 4,950 yen (tax included)

Nikka's Cafe Still series also includes new spirits, one of which is Nikka Cafe Gin, which can be easily identified by its clear bottle and green label.
The gin has a Japanese citrus aroma and a sweet taste that is unique to cafe stills, with a spicy taste like Japanese pepper. The carefully selected botanical nuances make it delicious when made into a cocktail.

Nikka Cafe Vodka

• Type of alcohol: Vodka (spirits)
• Alcohol content: 40%
• Capacity: 700ml
• Price: 4,950 yen (tax included)

Nikka Cafe Vodka is marked by its blue label. It is a spirit with a prominent sweetness of corn and malt, and has a deep yet refreshing taste. The alcohol content is 40%, which is lower than the gin and whiskey in the same series, making it easy to incorporate into cocktails.
It's a versatile spirit, so we recommend pairing it with whiskey to make a cocktail. You can also combine it with fruit or simply mix it with soda to create your own unique arrangement.

Rare whiskey Nikka Cafe Malt is available for purchase

As mentioned above, Nikka Cafe Malt is a rare whiskey brand. Although it is not completely discontinued, regular releases have been suspended and the market price has risen sharply.
Nikka Cafe Malt is also subject to appraisal and purchase at alcohol purchase companies . As prices are rising, this bottle can be expected to fetch a high price, over several thousand yen .
If you have a bottle of Nikka Cafe Malt and don't plan on drinking it in the future, you should consider using a liquor purchase specialist store. The liquor purchase specialist store Linksus also offers appraisals for Nikka Cafe Malt, so please feel free to consult with them.

<Points to consider when purchasing Nikka Cafe Malt>

• The items that can be purchased are unopened bottles.
• Now is your chance to get your item appraised while it is out of stock.
• Keep the bottle as clean as possible when assessing it.
• Store in a cool, dark place.
• Items with boxes and complete equipment tend to be valued at a high price
• We also recommend pairing it with Nikka Cafe Grain.

When assessing Nikka Cafe Malt for sale, it is easier to get a higher appraisal if you keep the bottle in good condition. If you have the box, be sure to bring it with you when appraising.
Also, when requesting a purchase, it is recommended to have it appraised together with cafe grains, etc. Selling it in bulk will make it easier to increase the appraisal value.
Buy whiskey here

summary

Nikka Whisky's Nikka Cafe Malt is a whiskey with a different character from Yoichi and Miyagikyo. It is distilled in a special facility called a cafe still, which gives it a unique sweetness and softness.
Since this is a discontinued product, you can't always buy this bottle, but if you're lucky you might be able to get your hands on one. The series also includes grain whiskey and other spirits, so if you're interested, be sure to check them out.