Yamazaki 12 Years Old (43%, OB, 2014)

• Category: Japanese single malt whisky
• Origin: Yamazaki distillery
• Bottling: Suntory, OB
• ABV: 43%
• Cost: £64.79

What they say

Yamazaki is Suntory’s flagship single malt, multi-layered with fruit and Mizunara aroma.

From Yamazaki was born the surprising, delicate yet profound experience of a Japanese single malt. Spiritual and deep, its signature multi-layered taste is highly praised by whisky connoisseurs all over the world. Today, Yamazaki is not only the No.1 single malt whisky in Japan, but is enjoyed in more than thirty-five countries.

Official tasting notes:

• Color: pure gold
• Nose: peach, pineapple, grapefruit,clove, candied orange, vanilla, Mizunara (Japanese oak)
• Palate: coconut, cranberry, butter
• Finish: sweet ginger, cinnamon, long finish

What I say

The Yamazaki 12 Years Old expression from Suntory is constructed from whisky matured in Bourbon and sherry barrels and Mizunara (Japanese Oak) Puncheons.

My tasting notes:

• Colour: Copper and rose gold with light tears
• Nose: Fragrant and perfumed cherry blossom, sweet and fruity peaches, orange, cherry, strawberry, hints of creamy vanilla and Mizunara and cherry wine
• Taste: Strawberries and cream initially on the palate this reveals more sweet fruity flavours but with that cherry blossom and Mizunara behind that gives fragrant sandalwood, some vanilla and coconut and traces of orange and perhaps dried cherries or cherry sherbet (orange & cherry double dip sweeties)
• Finish: Long, fragrant and refreshing, slightly over sweet and cleansing

Overall

A well constructed whisky that delivers an array of flavours and aromas with hints of the exotic. I imagine myself caressed by a breeze carrying the scents of the stunning Japanese cherry blossom whilst drinking this whisky. The Mizunara gives an almost Umami quality – something you can’t quite describe the taste of exactly but it is somehow familiar yet distinctly foreign (Japanese) at the same time. Delicious and creamy fruits are wrapped in cherry blossom and sandalwood. The zen whisky drinkers whisky drink.

Score: 84/100

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