jonwilkinson7309
Yamazaki Distiller's Reserve
Single Malt — Japan
Reviewed
September 18, 2019 (edited November 28, 2021)
I've had a couple of Japanese whiskeys recently that didn't quite live up to my high expectations (specifically, Hibiki Harmony and Yamazaki 12). Happily, the Yamazaki Distiller's Reserve reversed that trend.
The nose is very nice - lots of fruits, a grainy baked good that I think is closest to biscotti, and some vanilla cream.
The palate is fruity, creamy, a bit spicy and heavy on the oak. I don't always enjoy heavy oak - it can tend towards a harshness for me. But I didn't find the oak to be harsh here.
The DR contrasts sharply with the two whiskeys I mentioned above. While I found the Harmony to be too delicate, the Yamazaki DR is quite robust - much more so than most Japanese whiskeys I've tried. And I very much prefer the DR to the 12, which I find to have a few funky notes. The DR is a really well integrated mix of sweet, spice, and wood.
My review is based on a sample, but I'm looking forward to obtaining a full bottle.
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@jonwilkinson7309 count me in that minority. I tasted only ripe bananas in the Yamazaki 12. I didn’t like it all, but the 18 version is still in my top 5, even after having tried 600+ whiskies.
@Slainte-Mhath Sound advice!
@jonwilkinson7309 No worries, there is no right or wrong when it comes to taste! Just be careful when you only had a little sample, as you never quite know the fill level of the bottle, potential oxidation etc. Personally, I only review spirits that I tasted at least twice, as I've seen all too often that my second pour changed my mind into a different direction.
@Slainte-Mhath I may need to give the 12 another try - I'm clearly in the minority in terms of the things I tasted in it.
@PBMichiganWolverine I actually rated the 12-year-old Yamazaki 1 point higher than the Limited Edition. It's not a bad whisky, but way too expensive for what it is. At current prices, the 12 yo is by far the best value.
@Slainte-Mhath yeah—-that’s the big difference between the age versions and this: that mizunara cask which provides the unique Sandelwood aroma. What about the Yamazaki Limited versions? They’re supposedly excellent
@PBMichiganWolverine I doubt it. Didn't see a single bottle of this when I was in Japan (the Japanese equivalent, that is). However, in my opinion, the 12-year-old Yamazaki is light-years ahead of this NAS expression. The younger sibling doesn't have any Mizunara casks in the mix, something which gives the aged expressions so much more complexity!
Probably the only affordable Yamazaki. Hopefully will stay that way