Yame 10 Year Eight Goddesses

The nose has quite a bit of spicy barrel, a lot like a bourbon. It smells like I.W. Harper 15, not at all like a malt whiskey. The palate is quite tart with some nice rich spice that doesn't have an overwhelming harshness and brings just the right amount of soft tannin numbingness. It has that I.W. Harper 15 sawdust flavor a bit, but this tastes more refined with some extra layers giving it additional complexity. There's not much sweetness here, but the mouthfeel is moderate. It has some nice vanilla too. It definitely isn't as strong and rich as I.W. Harper 15, but it's a bit better balanced with more nuance. The similarity in flavor between these two is quite remarkable. I get a little malt from this right after drinking I.W. Harper 15, but not a ton. This isn't excellent whiskey and it is certainly confusing, but it is quite good - better than I.W. Harper 15. This isn't excellent, but it's a bit surprising in a moderately interesting way. I like it better than most Japanese whiskey, though I do think it's largely a gimmick. It's kind of like I.W. Harper 15 mixed with Compass Box Spice Tree. Thoroughly sippable to the point of definitely being enjoyable, but not excellent.

Everytime I come to Denver on a business trip, I try to bring a sample pour with me, hoping to have it after ridiculously long days. I should’ve picked something well sherried or peated, considering how cold it is here , with snow on the mountains adding a scenic background. But I chose this, out of curiosity, a sample graciously provided by @jonwilkinson7309 I can’t find much about this one. Yes, it’s 10 yrs old and it’s Japanese...but is it really Japanese as in made in Japan, or is it sourced from elsewhere, shipped to Japan, and labeled Japanese? I’m guessing it’s not truly Japanese—-very few fall in that category ( Yamazaki, Hibiki, Yoichi, a few others). But either way....doesn’t matter if the liquid is good. So...on to it: It’s slightly aromatic, but not as much as I’d expect from a 10 yr Japanese (I’m thinking Hibiki 12 or Yoichi 10). Taste is light , with fresh bakery bread taste. Slightly floral. Would be great in cocktails or over ice in summer. Overall—-I’m not sure you’re really having a Japanese whiskey here, more like Scottish Lowlander aged 10 yrs in ex-bourbon. But —-what it has over the Japanese whiskeys is that it won’t break your bank. It’s actually affordable—-more in the territory of Hibiki Harmony. Between this and Harmony, it’s a toss up...both are about the same. Slight edge to Harmony on nose, but edge to Yama on having an age statement Thanks @jonwilkinson7309 for the pour! Was a welcomed drink after a 15 hour day