The Yamazaki 18 yo

 

 

 

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