43°
Distillery : Yamazaki - Japan
Sherry, Bourbon and Mizunara Casks
Original Bottling
Core Range
Single Malt
Launched in 1992
Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured
Almost Unpeated
This Whisky is a legend, and as such, information about it is often
contradictory or vague. The launch date varies enormously, but the
most serious sites indicate 1992. There is also debate on cold
filtration, I
have chosen to consider that it is not chill filtered trusting the most reputable sources. And I think that it's not
a limited edition, because apparently the recipe has not changed in 31
years, and there is no numbered Batch. However, the packaging of the
bottle has evolved. The recipe is as follows: 80% Sherry casks, the rest
in American Bourbon casks and Japanese Mizunara oak casks, Quercus
Crispula, which needs 200 years to reach maturity. Aging would take
place in Speyside, to give the juice every chance for developing the fruity character typical of this region.
Let's Taste It :
Dates, figs, chocolate, elegant oak, light charcoal supported by dried
fruits, nuts, bananas and apricots, oak bark, forest undergrowth, red
berries and bay leaves. Compost, black earth, heather and sandalwood. It
is very noble, almost venerable. On the palate, I find the same
markers, elegance, expertise, perfect balance, blackberry liqueur, cherry
coulis, melted chocolate, all very woody. Completely mastered spices,
nutmeg and cardamom, good fullness, hazelnuts and blackcurrant. Long
finish but not so powerful, with hints of tea and earth, roots, pinch of
vanilla and coconut powder, dark chocolate, red grapes.
In Short,
I didn't feel the peat, but on the other hand the flavours jostle,
between the fine and deep oak, fruits and chocolate. The balance is of course superb, as with all great Japanese Whiskies,
and I think that some casks in there are well over 18 years old,
as rumor has it. That said, it's very good, but it's not because the
price has become totally ridiculous that I will feel obliged to find it
sublime. Most of the people who are responsible for the astronomical increase of the price are just vile speculators who haven't even tasted it.
Score : 89
To Be Listened While Sipping :
Nat King Cole - You're Looking at me
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