The Yamazaki 2015 Refill Spanish Oak Bottled 2026

 

 

 

48°

Distillery : Yamazaki - Japan

Refill Spanish Oak Casks

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2026

Almost Unpeated

 

 

 

A new limited edition from the Suntory Group, this product is not yet on sale in France, but will be within a fortnight or so. However, it is currently available in Singapore and Germany, and perhaps elsewhere too. It is a Yamazaki aged for at least ten years and matured in refill Spanish oak casks, meaning sherry casks. Unless, that is, they are new-make casks or wine casks, which would indeed be quite experimental. There are no details on whether it has been chill-filtered or if colouring has been added, which is a shame. 3,000 bottles are being released across 20 different countries, it’s a great campaign. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Intense and mellow sherry, sweet-and-sour sauce, soft caramel, apricot compote, roasted walnuts, prunes, candied oranges, touches of sulphur and rancio, varnished wood, dark chocolate, hairspray, sandalwood, shiitake mushrooms. A rich, woody and fruity depth, a damp forest glade, macerated chestnuts, bark. On the palate, the fruit takes the lead, but a waxy note lingers, candied cherries, dried figs, blueberry tart, baked apples, tomatoes and peppers, fir honey and herbaceous notes, eucalyptus, ginkgo, primroses, which pair well with nutmeg and ginger. A fairly long finish, with a hint of smoke, cigar box, raw wood and a pinch of salt. Crushed hazelnuts, tanned leather, earth and liquorice, coffee grounds, it is intense and deep. 

 

In Short, 

To my taste, the sherry is a little too strong, especially on the nose, although it is also very subtle and complex. On the palate and in the finish, it seems better to me, even very good, but I’m not entirely convinced. I detect not only sherry but also some vinous notes, it goes well with the distillery’s character, but I’d say it goes a bit too far. All the more so because the price is absolutely out of this world. Especially as it’s reduced. 

Score : 89-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                             To Be Listened While Sipping : 

                                             Ane Brun - Hold Me