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.
After Suntory discontinued the Yamazaki Single Malt 10 Year Old, this one became my favorite.
Pleasant drop but far better bottles for the price
This whisky is actually quite layered in flavours. It has an interesting delayed after taste of jam and some very odd twists and turns in the middle. Overall though, it's quite odd and almost feels like it shouldn't be whisky. Not for me but was intriguing. I'm glad I just had a sample bottle.
A pleasant glass of whiskey, once you get past the initial alcohol burn it has a smooth finish. Quite subtle in flavour, light oak with just a hint of spice.
A pleasant everyday dram as far as I’m concerned - although I’ll admit to a general preference for peaty offerings over this lighter fair. The berry notes are there, as is the touch of oak, but, in truth, I was expecting greater complexity for the price.
