PBMichiganWolverine
Yame 10 Year Eight Goddesses
Blended — Kyushu, Japan
Reviewed
February 12, 2020 (edited March 31, 2020)
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
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I have heard rumors (but have no evidence) that this is actually a malted barley shochu hybrid spirit. The absurdly liberal Japanese laws allow them to simply call it "whisky".
My initial opinion was reasonably good, but subsequent tastings have been progressively less impressive. You're undoubtedly be right about the sourcing - it's virtually impossible to get any information on this whisky, which is not a good sign. I'm actually seeing more and more reasonaby priced Japanese whiskies on the shelves, but I'm not inclined to try them.
@PBMichiganWolverine 'I can't find much about this one' is a clear indication that it is not Japanese. Kitaya seems to be a sake producer, so it is highly unlikely that they even have (their own) 10-year-old whisky.