Dreaming-of-Islay
Yamazaki 12 Year
Single Malt — Japan
Reviewed
January 8, 2018 (edited March 1, 2018)
Yamazaki, I hardly knew thee. I'd just been introduced to this Japanese whisky around the time of its explosion in popularity and price around 2014 or so, so I had a chance to enjoy a few drams for reasonable prices before this become a much scarcer and dearer pour. The Mizunara oak definitely adds something unique to this drink, although I'm not sure if I actually like it more than the more conventional Yamazaki Distiller's Reserve, which has more standard, sherry-finished liquid. The aromas of this whisky are unusual to say the least: there's a spiciness and pungency that reminds me of Le Labo's Oud scent. The taste is much closer to Yamazaki Distiller's Reserve, with notes of peach and vanilla wrapped together in a sweet, enticing package. The finish tastes like honey-drizzled pecan biscuits. Look, this is a tasty whisky, but, at the $150 or so that it generally fetches, it's hard to recommend without a reservation.
Create Account
or
Sign in
to comment on this review
$150? I bought a bottle for $85 not 6 months ago. Haven’t opened it yet but someday
Yes, I remember seeing it at $80 in a store and shying away. By the time I came back a month later (this is back in 2015) it was $99. People have just gone crazy for the stuff, good whisky but bad value for money.
$150 USD? I'm going to finish what's left of this bottle right here and say sayonara for good :(
@Dreaming-of-Islay this is so overpriced now in my opinion. Years ago, at $40-50, it was a great whiskey. Now at $99, one can do better