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.
Did I mention it’s smooth! Best whisky I’ve tasted. Fruity flavours finishes with vanilla and cinnamon. Can drink neat or over ice. Either way you’ll enjoy it immensely. Warming, comforting.
Excellent, so smooth on your palate. Full on fruity notes . Multi layers as you drink it. Smell the strawberry, cherry and mizunara. Taste the fruity raspberry, white peach and hint of coconut. Clean finish with vanilla and a subtle hint of cinnamon.
Beautiful bottle inside and out which is full of sweet, light, simply superb whiskey which leaves the tastebuds craving more and more! The fruit and vanilla really balance the drink and the cinnamon creates a very subtle spice which makes it the perfect drink for all year round. We have enjoyed it on the rocks, with coke and lemonade so far. We are looking forward to experimenting more. I have also brought a couple of bottles for birthday gifts. Highly recommend.
Overall this is not as sweet or rounded as the Yamazaki 18. Itvid quite robust and spicy and spicy. Drink it neat for it's purest form or addd an ice cube or a dash of water would make it taste slightly better.
Nice vintage looking bottle. A sweet, smooth honey roasted style whiskey with fruity notes. Can defiantly smell the coconut. I found it a little hard to drink neat, but with dash of water this helped mellow the initial whisky burn to enjoy the layers of flavours. It’s a pleasant dram, with berry notes, a hint of oak and coconut. Definitely warms the soul. Quite pricy, but you get what you pay for!
