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.
Many cheap blends are far better.
The vanilla and sweet cinnamon ate unmistakable in the finish. I've tasted quite a few single malts but this one puts a smile on your face, hands down.
I remember buying this a couple of years ago, it was slightly mellow, almost spicy and a little underwhelming, but was almost half the price it is now..what happened?!
This is a very pleasant whisky: smooth, drinkable and very nearly excellent (except for just something in the aftertaste that doesn't feel quite on target). However, I would always be happy to drink this, and it impressed me.
Great Whisky, and beats most other whisky in the market at this price. You must have this in your collection
