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.
This Single Malt Whisky is one of my favourites! It has a distinct flavour and fragrant oak notes. It is irresistibly smooth and easy to drink on its own, in a mixer or a cocktail.
Overall its not bad. And not excellent. For this price range definitely you will find a better choice. Expectations was higher. Bottle very simple. Its smooth after passing burn of alcohol. Vanila last and last... Worth to try to make your opinion.
Brilliant whisky which is super smooth. High quality product that is best served exactly as it is on the rocks.
This whisky was a real surprise, a delicate flavour with a note of strawberries, and a hint of vanilla. It finishes with an oaky note and subtle spice. This is a very pleasant drink that would suit a range of palates, even those who would not usually pick a whisky...a fabulous find!
I am by no means a connoisseur when it comes to whisky. My palate is far from refined and I generally don’t drink whisky neat, but I wanted to say that I had tried this one in earnest before I tested with a mixer. Sipping this neat with just a drop of water definitely brings out more of its flavour. I found it to have quite a heat to it that tingled my lips and tongue like something spicy would, though others who are more seasoned whisky drinkers did not experience this. Something I would say I enjoyed about the experience of drinking this neat, is that the after taste did not linger for a long time. For me this whisky really came into its own when I tried it over ice with a homemade lemonade (sugar water ie: simple syrup and lemon juice). It had the perfect flavours to compliment this nicely and was absolutely delicious. Typically being a Jack and coke kinda girl, this whisky really opened my eyes to new options and richer flavours and I would definitely drink it again!
