In the mouth: A watery woodiness is the main flavor element in the front of the mouth. The middle of the palate fills out with the distinct flavor of cashews, a signature Yamazaki note for me. There’s more of that floral note from the nose as this moves toward the finish, where I get a flavor sitting somewhere between chocolate and wood, if that makes any sense. There’s a drying mouthfeel and a gentle stoniness as this fades gradually, with a mild tingle on the tongue. Conclusions: However, Matt did not heed my aforementioned advice. Having made his excuses about “owing it to the store,” he bought the bottle which we will be reviewing together today. Though I now think a little less of his intellectual faculties (j/k, pal), I am nonetheless grateful for his continued friendship and generosity. The Yamazaki Aged 12 Years – Taylor’s Review While it may not be an extraordinary or groundbreaking whisky, it is well-balanced and exhibits no disappointing elements. The influence of the Bordeaux casks imparts a dry sensation, contributing to the overall experience.

On the nose: Pineapple pound cake just came out of the oven and traveled an hour to your place in a wooden container that was also in the oven but wasn’t on fire, but it was warm.Since 1984, The Yamazaki Distillery has produced its Single Malt 12 Year. Its mash bill boasts 100 percent malted barley, and its cask-aged in The Yamazaki Distillery for 12 years before being bottled and arriving at your front door. The Yamazaki 12 is undoubtedly a complex and deep whisky, offering a smooth and highly enjoyable sipping experience. Yet, that’s exactly what I did when I was presented with this whisky (or rather, the concept of this whisky). My friend and neighbor Matt Kusek texted me that his local store had a bottle, and asked if it were any good. I responded “It’s nothing special, particularly for the price they are charging now.” I know exactly what you’re saying about our perception of price and I use your father’s barometer all the time. It keeps me grounded into my sense of worth. I think I’ve told you that my wife is Spanish and in Spain people over a certain age still judge value by the peseta and not the euro. They know when something really isn’t worth it. I think we’ve had this conversation about Weller 12 in the past. Whiskybase B.V. is the Dutch private limited liability company, having its statutory seat in Rotterdam, The Netherlands and its office at Zwaanshals 530, 3035 KS Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Whiskybase B.V. is registered with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce under no. 52072819.

Ironically, the whisky in question is from Japan, which has not seen generalized inflation for the better part of the last three decades. Until recently, Japanese consumer prices hummed along at a tepid 0.2% rate. I’m not familiar with the basket of goods and services used to calculate inflation in Japan, however I am fairly certain that whisky is not a heavily weighted component.Considering its somewhat affordable price, it presents a compelling option for those looking to explore the world of Yamazaki whisky without putting a mortgage on their home. Yamazaki Distiller’s Reserve facts: We may sell, license, transfer, assign or in any other way dispose of the Service (including Members) to any third party without any notification to you, e.g. (but without limitation) in connection with any reorganization, restructuring, merger or sale, or other transfer of assets. This experience was a precursor to my venture into the liquor shop business, where I had the privilege of curating an extensive collection of liquors, granting me access to thousands of unique bottles from across the globe. Nothing in the Terms shall exclude or limit our liability for fraudulent misrepresentation or for death or personal injury resulting from gross negligence or willful misconduct by us. Japanese whisky is made from malted barley, which can be peated, borrowing some techniques used in Scottish whisky. This can lend a smoky taste with a lighter flavor profile. Some Japanese whisky is made from rice or corn; sometimes it can be a blend of malted barley, rice, and/or corn, depending on the preference of the distillery.

The finish is light but leaves a lasting impression of sweet oak, vanilla, and a delicate touch of smoke. Whiskybase B.V. (“Whiskybase”, “we” or “us”, company details below) offers a whisky enthusiasts online platform that provides its members access to the most comprehensive, transparent and trusted resource of whisky bottles and allows and stimulates its members to contribute information about whisky bottles to the platform (“Service”). Yamazaki 12 doesn’t cost as much as the 18-year, but price gouging still happens. This is where research and patience come in handy. These experiences have honed my palate and provided me with a profound understanding of the vast world of spirits.

A Japanese single malt whisky, The Yamazaki 12 Year is known for its "noble" aroma. It hails from Kyoto, the capital of ancient Japan, which takes its nobility status up a notch or two. The Yamazaki 12 Year is considered the nation's premier single malt whisky, but it's safe to say that whisky fans around the globe appreciate this award-winning spirit. So how does it Taste? This golden whisky boasts complex aromas and superior drinkability. The nose features hints of fruit, including peach, grapefruit, pineapple and candied orange, along with spices such as clove and orange. This whisky also has notes of rich coconut and tart cranberry, while the long finish features spicy ginger and cinnamon. Overall, it is an excellent malt whisky that provides a delightful taste journey from start to finish, leaving a positive impression with its smoothness and balanced flavor profile. Yamazaki 12 facts: Most Japanese whiskies are aged in wood casks. Some of them have had bourbon, or at times, they use sherry casks. Other times they have been aged in Mizunara oak, which imparts something of a sandalwood flavor. That latter, Mizunara, is native to Japan and, therefore, can contribute to the flavor of Japanese whisky, too. As it reaches the palate, the whisky delivers a full-bodied sensation, providing a satisfying mouthfeel.

On the nose: A vivacious, somewhat young-smelling burst of bubblegum, potpourri, and lychee. The fruity notes intensify as this is allowed to sit in the glass, becoming more ripe and sweet, almost cloyingly so. Faint hints of lemongrass and white pepper are all that this presents in the way of spicy notes; there’s perhaps a wisp of sandalwood incense if I really concentrate. Bringing this line of reasoning on home to Malt: our mission here is to assess whether a whisky is good value for the money, compared to similar options on the shelf. Saying “this whisky is good, but it used to be a lot cheaper, so it’s not as good a value for money as it used to be” is a fairly worthless exercise for most of our readership. Some interesting elements here, but not presented convincingly enough. If anything, this is maybe a little bit better than I remember mid-late 20-teens batches of this expression to be, not that that is saying much. It’s not flawed. It’s not offensive. It’s fine. It’s very, very OK, considered on its own merits.Suntory really screwed this up. They probably make far more money selling Ribena and that’s how much they valued their whisky and why they never saw the future. It became crisis control in the end and I suspect Japanese whisky will always be uncompetitive, in terms of comparisons, with any age statements moving forward. The reputation of it was soiled very badly when the world found out that a lot of Japanese whisky was in fact Scottish whisky (or a blend of such) bottled in Japan. It says something that the best value for money Japanese whisky is Suntory’s Toki, a blended Grain/Yamazaki/Hakushu bottled at 43%. In North America, it definitely helps to begin your search for Yamazaki 12 online. There are a number of retailers offering delivery, depending upon your state’s laws. At a minimum, you’ll get a solid understanding of the range in pricing. Here, I’ve immersed myself in the art of crafting Mezcal, gaining a newfound appreciation for the craftsmanship that goes into distilling this ancient spirit. You are responsible for all activities through your account. You are responsible for the accuracy of the information you provide to us in relation to your account, and for updating it where necessary. You are not allowed to create multiple accounts. We may terminate or temporarily suspend your account to protect you, ourselves or our partners from (suspected) identity theft or other (suspected) fraudulent (e.g. false, misleading, deceptive) activity. You have the obligation to keep your login credentials confidential. You shall not authorize any others to use or access your account. If we decide not to exercise or enforce any right or provision of these Terms, such decision shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision.