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'm new to whisky and just discovering what I like. On hearing a look about Japanese whisky I had to try one. And I seem to have tried the right one too. Great price and what a taste. Seem to be the one I'm judging all other whisky so by. Love the flavour just keeps on giving. Although There are a lot more wiskys to try.
The one bad thing about Japanese whiskies is they're all becoming cost prohibitive. This is almost as good as the Yamazaki 12yo but 3/4 the price. The tasting notes listed at the top are pretty accurate (I smelt cherries as well though - yum!) The finish, while clean & crisp like many Japanese whiskies, is maybe a bit more "spicy" than what I'd like but I assume that's because it's younger whisky. Good value if you can't afford a Hibiki 12/17yo or Yamazaki 12yo.
This is one of the most commonly used whiskies in Japan for highballs. Nothing special on its own but nice as a highball on a hot summers day.
Simply an amazing whisky. Please add a few drops of water or a small ice cube. It is transformative....wow.
Extremely smooth yet deep, rich aromas. Very good and the price is right.
