Released in Spring 2014, this is one of two Distiller's Reserve single malt whiskies from Suntory in Japan. This single malt from the Yamazaki distillery is jam-packed with superb red berry notes, gained from the whisky being matured in Bordeaux wine casks and Sherry casks. It also features malt matured in Mizunara casks, adding subtle fragrant oak notes.
Classic Yamazaki strawberries and dried fruits with floral notes coming from the Mizunara cask whisky. Fragrant sandalwood and maybe coconut. Certainly a whisky where you could get lost in its nose!
The dried berries remain lively on the palate (it even develops some raspberry notes along the way), but they're dialled back a bit to make room for light oak, white peach and a small amount of spice.
Vanilla lasts and lasts, with spicy but sweet cinnamon acting as a final flourish.
Top quality Japanese whisky, and excellent value too. Can't go wrong with this, really.
Is the only version of Yamazaki that I have tried, and one of the best single malts I ever tasted, behind from the discontinued Miyagikyo 10, and with a place among the places where are Glengoyne, Arran, Glendronach, etc. This yamazaki has a good malt taste, complemented with several flavors that I'm not able to distinguish but is delicious and with a medium finish and a bit of effervescence that I love. Good job Yamazaki.
No "aged 12 years" on the box, so this is the replacement NAS. There are some tasting notes on the box and kinda get a bit of that, however I also have a small amount of the 12yo from a few years ago, and there is much difference in nose and taste. The age statement bottle has some very heady notes as if there where sherry barrels in the mix. Those notes are missing from the NAS. So I agree with the other comments - it is not comparable to the 12 yo.
Just got one and have to say very nice
I have never tried the Yamazaki 12, but if people say its better than this one then...HOLY COW! the 12 must be amazing, because I really think this is a quality quality whisky. Love the sweet nose and very fruity palate. Absolutely lovely palate actually. Finish is decent, wait...what am I saying, the finish is excellent and very spicy. Very nice.
One of the best
