The Yamazaki Single Malt Whisky – Distiller’s Reserve

I received a bottle of this from my son for Christmas.
Giving me, a Jock, a Japanese whisky? Obviously taking the piss!
That evening, after enjoying a Glenfiddich and Glenmorangie I said "Lets try your Yamazaki" or words to that effect.
Well, there's no point denying it, this is a seriously good whisky.
The richness and complexity blows my staple diet to smithereens!
Now I'm no expert, but I did not detected a hint of "strawberries", "rasperries" and definately not "coconut" though there is a smooth sweetness there, and this is certainly a bloody good whisky.
Thankfully the balance of the universe was restored when I opened my single cask, first oak filled, 30 year old MacAllan. WOW! Another world.

15th January 2015

I'm a big fan of Japanese whisky. I first tried this at the Yamazaki distillery just outside Kyoto. It would seem it is replacing the 10 and 12 year olds which is fine by me. It's better than both of them. My only problem is that it costs nearly twice as much here as it does in Japan!

12th January 2015

This is a must have... For 70 US, it's worth every penny... Thank God I got this before they sold out, just wish I bought more. This actually compares to some of the 150 plus dollar a bottle malts I've had over the years. Each glass seems to have varied notes and seem to get better with each glass.

13th December 2014

Wanted to try the Yamazaki 12. Asked a friend to get this from Singapore (since it's not easily available in Dubai) and what he got me was the Distiller's Reserve. Having tried the 12 before, this one came across as a very pleasant surprise. It is rich and textured, quite deep as a single malt and its fruitiness and redolence of varied casks comes across post a couple of tastings. Which makes it quite layered. Especially loved the finish of this, which is exquisite in its mouthfeel. Small tip: It actually tastes better with a single small ice cube and around 4-5 small splashes of cold water. Enjoy this if you love a deep, rich whiskey. Slainthe, Shantesh

23rd November 2014

Beautiful, seriously good drop
That nose is inticing.
With each swallow,follows a smile.
Hardest part is saying goodnight to it.
Great value, Steve Mcgiff st. Ives cornwall

1st November 2014

A gift from a friend & my first Japanese whisky and my first impression was nice and smooth but something missing at the heart of it. Repeated tastings however have me more and more intrigued. I like a dram that keeps up the surprises. Incredibly well balanced and one of the smoothest malts I've had.

29th September 2014

put a bottle of this out at my wedding after picking it up at sainsburys for around £40. it was one I the most popular whiskys by far with loads of people asking me the next day to remind them what it was.

Nice fruity flavours with a good finish. I've gone and bought myself a bottle as there was none left after the wedding!

27th June 2014

Picked this up in sainsbury's of all places for £42 (not even on offer). It really is tasty and great value for the money. My first experience of Japanese whisky, and at this rate definitely not my last. As it happened they also had the hakashu distiller's reserve so might have to give that a go as well as I am a fan of a bit of smoke!

17th May 2014

I had a glass of this over the weekend. The best whisky in its price bracket, it's soft on the palette, complex, silky. Those who love the Hibiki range should jump on this . . .

14th April 2014