Yamazaki 12 Year

Pale amber. Fruit, peat. Incense. Heat, slightly rough, long savory finish. Rich, balanced, classic. Alcohol 43%

That was a very smooth tipple. A touch of sweetnes, citrus and spice

Very tasting smooth sipper. Dark fruits, jammy, a tiny bit of barrel spice.

Review #030 Type: single malt Japanese whisky Proof: 43% Comments: aged 12 years, American oak, Spanish ex-sherry, and Japanese Mizunara Tasted after: Kaiyō Japanese Mizunara Oak Appearance (no score): Chestnut color. Was Unable to look for legs due to an apparent water-repellent coating on the glass I was tasting with. Nose: 16/20 Very mild, none of the aromas take a dominant role. There’s apples, honeysuckle, and apricots, with the slightest whiff of mint on the back end. Remarkably I can’t smell any alcohol. There’s not a lot to smell here, but somehow I’m excited for it anyway, my mouth is watering, it seems to hint at being very good and complex without actually giving away how that might be. Palate: 33/40 Like the nose, it’s soft and balanced. I get honey, vanilla, pears, and apricots. Overall it has a mildly sweet and pleasant flavor. Finish: 35/40 Long finish. Starts with walnuts and buttered bread at first, then comes the dark baking cocoa, orange zest, and cranberry bitterness. This whisky wants to take its time and be sipped very slowly. With Water: A drop of water adds a little saltiness to the finish. Total: 84/100 Final thoughts: I did this review on the neck pour, I’ve read this bottle becomes remarkable a couple months after being opened and given some time to oxidize, so I may end up re-writing this at some point. Price: $190 Would recommend: yes Would buy: maybe Scoring Legend: 96-100: The perfect dram, absolutely exceptional, nectar of the gods, I will savor this bottle and make it last, 5 stars. 90-95: Near perfect, there is something truly special about this whisky, 4.75 stars. 85-89: Very good to amazing, almost the complete product, 4.5 stars. 80-84: Quite good, very enjoyable to drink, but doesn’t wow me, 4.25 stars. 75-79: Good, enjoyable but ultimately flawed, unlikely to purchase again, 4 stars. 70-74: A solid dram, but wouldn't go out of my way to get it, 3.75 stars. 55-69: Drinkable, 3.5-2.75 stars. Below 55: Suitable for cooking or direct contribution to the kitchen sink drain, 2.5 stars or less