33 open bottles in my collection ranked through multiple blind tastings. Counting them down!
#7: Yamazaki. Japanese Single Malt. 43% ABV. 12 years old.
Paid $74
I bought 4 bottles at $74, and still have 2 unopened.
Fucking Yamazaki. Fucking all of Japanese whisky. There were about 200 bottles released to Montgomery County, Maryland last year for a retail price of $74, and I ended up buying 4 bottles. There are better bottles for cheaper (wait for my #1) that I don’t grab 4 bottles of. It’s this feeling of scarcity that is currently plaguing the whisky industry, and jacking up this bottle all the way to $200 on the secondary market. The max value for this bottle is around $100, which is astounding for a 12 year old. The nose on Yamazaki 12 is so floral, so confident, so inviting. The palate does not quite live up to the nose, but is still well-balanced deliciousness. Plums, honey, and tea. Woody finish that worsens with oxidation. I would not let bottles less than half-full linger. My first bottle I only gave 83/100 because of the bitter tannic notes that took over after I tried to stretch an almost empty bottle. I’m on my second bottle, and I’m drinking this out a lot quicker, and it is so easy to. This is Japanese whisky that is still a good value if you can find it for less than $100.
MARK: 92/100
PREVIOUSLY, ON BATMAN:
#8: Lagavulin. $70. 43% ABV. 91/100.
#9: Benromach. $65. 43%. 16 years. 91/100.
#10: Talisker Distiller’s Edition. $72. 45.8%. D2000/B2011. 91/100.
#11: Amrut Fusion. $76. 50%. NAS. 91/100
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The Yamazaki 12 is wiped out in the Boston area. Hakushu 12 is hard to find but still available for under $100.
I feel your pain, ‘hard. I had a chance to buy 4-5 bottles of the Yama 12 back over Thanksgiving for $68 a pop, but I only bought 1 so I could prop it up beside my bottle of 18. I should’ve jumped all in at that price because it’s not worth $100. Great review, as usual. Cheers.
@Slainte-Mhath @PBMichiganWolverine I can still get Hakushu 12 for $80-100 and Hakushu 18 for $400 here. I’m skipping at those prices. You’re paying to perpetuate a vicious cycle of scarcity that whisky hoarders and flippers are cashing in on. I like Yamazaki better but my limit is $100 for the 12 and $300 for the 18.
@Slainte-Mhath wait, Hakushu 12 too is eliminated? That price has then skyrocketed too I guess
@PBMichiganWolverine Yamazaki 12 will become much more expensive in the next years to come. Prices already climbed to 150€ in Europe after Suntory's announcement to discontinue Hakushu 12 and Hibiki 17. At 100 €, it is still a good value. I wouldn't pay more than 150 € for a bottle, I think.
@ScotchingHard nice count down as always. At over $100, this one is hard to justify. I got two about 5 years ago for $40, and still have one left. For it’s current asking price, I think you’re right—-one can do better elsewhere
Thanks for the tip about not letting it oxidize. I’ll be sure to make quick work if my bottle when I decide to open it