Yamazaki Sherry Cask 2016

There's not much to say. I've never tasted a whisky like this.

To be honest, at first I was skeptical. The nose was familiar, the mouthfeel familiar. The taste familiar.

But the finish. Oh. My. God.

Not one single whisky I've experienced is even remotely Close to the complexity and longevity of the finish found in this gem.

Raisin, chocolate, almond, all working their way from deep at the back of your tongue, and slowly to the front, with a never ending evolution of experience. I count at least 1-2 minutes of altering experiences!

I've sadly never owned a bottle, and only experienced it as a single nip. But that nip was heavenly.

I got a 3cl sample of this and just tried it. This is so much like Magellan 18 I couldn't believe it! The Yamazaki 18 is also sherried, but lighter sherry and slightly sweet compared to the Yamazaki Sherry Cask. The Macallan 18, in comparison, has a deeper sherry flavor, likely due to the fact that it is a true Speyside character to balance.

The Sherry cask has a slightly more complex sherry nuance compared to Macallan 18, but they are so much alike it may be challenging to decipher the two in a blind taste test.

I'm glad I had a chance to try it, as the novelty of being best whiskey that year in Murray's whiskey bible. It is the best example of a sherried whiskey........somewhere between Macallan 18 and Ardbeg Dark Cove (a more heavily sherried islay), more closer to the former than the latter.

Your'e out of your mind!

Tasty!

This is not whishy. This is a kitsch product for rich idiots. If we got to the point of having to pay 3000 pounds for drink a good whiskey, then it is better not to buy more anything. LiMiTeD eDiTiOn! Please... is just a commercial swindle. Because the suntory don't produce 50000 bottle at a reasonable price instead that only few bottle at shameful price? Even if I had all the money of the world, I do not buy it for 3500€.

Was recently very fortunate to try a dram of this and there's no doubt it's a cohesive, well balanced, flavorsome expression, packed with depth and complexity...but... stand it up against a Gordon & MacPhail 25 - 30 year old sherry cask Strathisla at less than a sixth of the price and in my humble opinion there can only be one winner, and not only on cost either.

Loving your work M of M guys, keep it up.
Dave

Had a full 2oz pour for only $55. Couldn't pass up the opportunity to try it at my friends bar.
Full long lasting rich flavor. Dark Amber in color.
And at 48% you get all the powerful flavor with out intolerable mouth burn.

Bet you guys didn't know the differences between the American release 2016 Sherry Cask and the Japanese release. I have both versions and here are the differences:

Yamazaki Sherry Cask 2016 (American Release)
-Larger Bottle (750ml)
-No engravement on cap saying "Suntory Single Malt Whisky"
-Added text including "Japanese Whisky" , "48% Alc/Vol (96 PROOF)"
-White Panel on back of bottle as opposed to matching beige color on Japanese release
-Slightly Bigger Box / States (Sherry Cask 2016 ) on top of box cap"

Yamazaki Sherry Cask 2016 (Japanese Release)
-Smaller Bottle (700ml)
-No alcohol content display on bottle
-Added Text "Produced by Suntory" , "Product of Japan"
-Engraved Cap "Suntory Single Malt Whisky"
-Smaller Box / only states (Sherry Cask) on top of box cap

Obviously the differences aren't HUGE , but for the price you guys are paying... I want you all to know the exact details of what you are purchasing. The biggest being the bottle size :)

Oh and as for the rating ... the whisky is absolutely incredible, probably one of the best drams/bottles you will ever experience !! Easiest 5 star review!

Cheers guys!

Johnny. B

I agree with the last poster, I managed to try some of the 2016 and it was worth every penny. With only 5000 bottles, I wonder how crazy the price will get for a glass next year....

I am very fortunate to obtained 2 bottles of this wonderful sherry juice. Very tasty indeed. Hope everyone have a chance to obtain a sample of this beautifully crafted juice. Good luck!!!