Suntory Yamazaki 18 Year Old
Autumn Leaves
0 489
Review by @markjedi1
- Nose~
- Taste~
- Finish~
- Balance~
- Overall89
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- Brand: Suntory Yamazaki
- Type: Japanese
- ABV: 43%
Yamazaki is the first distillery in Japan, founded by Shinjiro Torri, in collaboration with his protégé Masetaka Taketsuru (who would later go hiw own way with Yoichi and Miyagikyo). This Yamazaki 18 Year Old is praised around the world and has won many prizes. This sherry butt matured Japanese whisky is not cheap. Around 150 EUR.
The nose is wonderfully complex and layered. Every whiff offers something new. All kinds of dark fruits reach me first: dades, raisins, berries, the dried variety as well. The second wave offers dark chocolate with vanilla filling, hints of mandarin and a plethora of spices. Chervil, thyme, camphor and eucalyptus. Some mint. Autumn leaves! Rose-hip tea. Polished leather. Maple syrup. It goes on for a while. This is simply magnificent!
It is wonderfully creamy and mouth coating, with loud Mizunara oak. A lot of tannins, but it works perfectly. Well seasoned with a lot of sherry influence. The dried fruits return, upholstered with a light lemon zestiness. Slightly bitter orange tea. Big dose of cinnamon. Grrrrrreat!
In the long, drying finish, I finally get some woodspice.
This is an absolutely stunning whisky from the Land of the Rising Sun.
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"Autumn Leaves" really brought this whisky back to me, so I had to comment. There is something old, musty, and damp about this whisky. The 12YO is bright and cheery, not so, this one. One of the more complex whiskies I have had the pleasure of tasting. Another note, regarding price. In Nashville TN this ranges from 116 - 149 dollars. Amazing to me to see such a range for one whisky in a single city.