Company: Suntory
Distillery: Suntory Yamazaki Distillery
Region: Yamazaki Shimamoto, Mishima District, Osaka, Japan
Aging: 12 Years in American Ex-Bourbon Barrels, Spanish Oloroso Sherry Casks, and Japanese Mizunara Oak Barrels
ABV: 43% ABV
Proof: 86 Proof
Mash Bill: 100% Single Malt
Non-Chill Filtered: No
MSRP Price: $150
Yamazaki 12 Year Single Malt Japanese Whisky Tasting Notes
Appearance: Dark Honey
Nose: Sweet buttery brown sugar, caramel, vanilla, dark fruits, black cherry, plum, chocolate-covered cherries, raisin, light fruits, peach, apricot, citrus, bourbon oak, Mizunara oak, malt, rich spices, anise seed
Palate: Bold dark fruits, raisin, plum, black cherry, reminds me of chocolate-covered Raisinet candy, citrus zest, apricot, light fruits, heavy ex-bourbon oak, Mizunara oak, vanilla, baking spice, white pepper
Finish: Extremely rich oily, and buttery mouthfeel that coats your entire mouth and lasts for 30-60 seconds – leaves you with bold oak, rich dark fruits, and an extremely balanced sweet and savory finish with a lingering pepper spice
Yamazaki 12 Year Tasting Notes (From The Box Label)
Is Yamazaki 12 Year an Approachable Whisky?
Yamazaki 12 Year is an extremely approachable whisky.
It is packed full of sweet and fruity flavors while also offering a rich oak and vanilla experience.
It also offers a rich finish that isn’t hot or overwhelming in any way.
This is a whisky that beginners will enjoy and experience whisky drinkers will obsess over.
Is Yamazaki 12 Year Complex?
Yamazaki 12 Year is one of the most complex whiskies I have tasted.
Not only is it matured in 3 different types of barrels, but each of the barrels has such distinct flavor profiles that when combined, deliver an experience unlike any other I’ve had before (except the Amrut Spectrum 004 Indian Single Malt).
But the Amrut Spectrum uses a different process to achieve this result.
To begin, Yamazaki 12 Year has a lovely nose full of buttery brown sugar and caramel sweetness.
Right away, you can tell this is a whisky of quality.
The layers of flavor you get in the nose are almost unparalleled and foreshadow what your taste buds are about to enjoy.
When evaluating this whisky, I really have to focus on each individual layer of flavor by breaking down the whiskey itself and then decomposing what flavors each of the barrels adds to that whiskey.
The Yamazaki Single Malt whisky itself is already full of rich raisin, sweet brown sugar, and malt flavor characteristics.
Then the American ex-bourbon casks add a nice charred oak flavor full of vanilla and rich caramel.
The ex-Oloroso Sherry barrels add to the already deep layer of dark fruits and instead of just offering raisin and plum flavors, you now get a rich dark cherry and chocolate-covered cherry note to the whisky.
The final layer is the Japanese Mizunara oak barrels which add a flavor profile that is unlike anything I’ve tasted in American bourbon or Scotch Whiskey before.
I can’t quite pinpoint exactly how to explain this flavor on both the nose and the palate, but when you taste a pour of Yamazaki 12 Year you will know what I’m talking about.
It is really quite enjoyable.
What are Yamazaki 12 Year’s strongest attributes/flavors?
Yamazaki 12 Year’s strongest attribute is the level of complexity you get with each sip.
This is a whisky you will be reaching for another sip just to see what flavors you will discover each time.
Is Yamazaki 12 Year a go-to whisky?
Yamazaki 12 Year is absolutely a go-to whisky.
It is a whisky that I could drink anytime and in any occasion.
Is Yamazaki 12 Year priced accurately to its quality?
Yamazaki 12 Year has a $150 price tag and it still over-delivers on this price.
This is a whisky that is a true luxury and is worth every penny.
Conclusion for Yamazaki 12 Year Single Malt Japanese Whisky
If I could only keep 5 bottles from my entire whisky collection, this Yamazaki 12 Year would probably be one of them.
Not only is it one of the most complex whiskeys I have ever tasted, but it is also one of the most balanced and rich flavors you can find in a bottle of any whiskey, let alone a single malt Japanese whisky.
If you see this bottle on the shelf, give it a shot and let us know what you think.
Additional Information – Some History About Yamazaki Distillery
From the box itself:
Suntory Whisky was founded in 1923 by Shinjiro Torii. For over three generations, Suntory’s master blenders have devoted themselves to pursuing the harmony of Japanese nature and craftsmanship.
Shaped through masterful technique and served with a reverence for Japanese omotenashi, Suntory whiskies are among the most awarded and admired in the world.
Yamazaki is the pioneer of single malt Japanese whisky, born in Japan’s first and oldest malt distillery. Established in 1923 by Suntory’s founder Shinjiro Torii, the Yamazaki Distillery is the birthplace of Japanese whisky.
Nestled proudly on the periphery of Kyoto, in a region formerly known as “Minaseno, ” Yamazaki is renowned for its soft waters.
This incomparable quality, combined with Yamazaki’s unique misty climate of varying temperature and humidity, provides the ideal conditions for making whisky.
Let Us Know What You Think
I hope you enjoyed this tasting experience with me.
If you decide to give this bottle a shot, please let me know on social media via Reddit, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.
Thanks for reading and cheers!
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