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.
I was excited to try this as I found a healthy supply at my local. It's nowhere near as smooth and balanced as the 12. Not bad for the money, but for a little bit more, the Yamazaki 12 is certainly worth the extra money.
An amazing whiskey with better essence and smoothnes to the skylimits
Very subtle beautiful flavors and the cedar/sandalwood note really flips my switch.
Nose: Violet, Cookie dough, fruit, malt and salty Palate: licorice, violet candy, spicy, a little seasalt I'm in love! Forgot to add that I've tasted this in february, the falvour may have changed?
Nose: Violet, Cookie dough, fruit, malt and salty Palate: licorice, violet candy, spicy, a little seasalt I'm in love! The Yamazaki 12 year old on the other hand? there's no way I would buy that again over this! You feel the alcohol to much on the 12 year for some odd kind? and it's not even near as tasy as these others are.
