The Yamazaki 18-Year-Old Single Malt Japanese Whisky Review

Yamazaki 18

The Yamazaki 18-year-old single malt is one of my all-time favorite whiskies.  I picked up a bottle about a year and a half ago, before the world craving for Japanese whisky reached the heights its experiencing today.  When I say picked up, I mean it was sitting on the shelf, collecting dust alongside other whiskies.  I immediately purchased it.  I wish I would have done the same with another bottle I saw at a different retail shop across town.

The days of finding a bottle on a shelf are long gone.  Sure, you may find a bottle at a retail shop, but chances are likely its price is going to be marked up.  I paid less than $200 for my bottle, which is right under the suggested retail price. This expression is bottled at 43%.

Yamazaki 18 B

Right off the bat, this whisky fill your nose with a melange of rich, fruity aromas.  Slightly burnt caramel, raisins & prunes, dried apricots and mulling spices leap out of the glass.  A bit of wood spice, leather and a whisp of smoke stay in the background.  Quite intoxicating.  I could smell this for days.  The entry isn’t initially as sweet as the nose suggests, but it is as rich.  Dried red fruits and spices on entry lend to a short burst of tropical fruit.  Cinnamon stick and allspice provide the spicy characteristics.  In the meantime, sherried malt gives way to dark berries and a creamy bitterness at the back palate.  Let’s call it mocha or dark chocolate.  The finish is medium in length, leaving behind a slightly burnt spicy caramel note.

The rich, dark fruit and spicy nature of this whisky is the reason it’s in my Top 10 all-time favorites.  My only minor complaint, if you want to call it that, is the bottling proof.  While I’m certainly no expert, I can’t help but wonder how much more delicious a 46% or cask strength release would be.  Regardless, the Yamazaki 18 is one of the more enjoyable whisky experiences I’ve had.  Really, it’s that good.

9/10

Yamazaki 12-Year-Old Single Malt Japanese Whisky Review
Photo courtesy of Beam Suntory.

Photo courtesy of Beam Suntory.

The Yamazaki might just be Japan’s most talked about distillery, or at least its most popular one.  It’s Sherry Cask expression was named World Whisky of the Year 2013 by whisky writer Jim Murray.  The Japanese whisky category seems to have exploded since then.

Part of this popularity means it’s getting harder and harder to certain Japanese whisky expressions on your store shelf.  The Yamazaki 18-year-old expression has all but disappeared from shelves, but every now and then its younger sibling, the Yamazaki 12-year-old, can be found.

The Yamazaki 12-year is bottled at 43% abv, and available for $60+, if you can find a bottle.

The nose here has a rich character, full of honey, ripe plums, sweet malt, and ginger root.  There is no astringent alcohol vapor here, which confirms just how well made this whisky is.  Where Hakushu 12-year-old is very herbal and fresh, Yamazaki 12-year is a rich, velvety pour.  That clove honey note from the nose is present on the palate, from start to finish.  Some spice quickly hits the tongue on entry, complimenting the rich honey note.  The spice dissipates and big fruit and citrus notes appear, with plums, baked pear, and orange peel being the more dominant notes.  A very faint hint of smoke shows up on the back palate and fades away, leaving a long spiced honey finish.

Without question, The Yamazaki 12-year-old is a delicious whisky, especially for people who love big honey and fruit notes in their whisky.   The way the layers of flavor develop should keep experienced drinkers excited, but it’s also an easy drinker for beginners.

Now, the hard part is easily finding a bottle.

8.5/10
(Note: A review sample was provided by Beam Suntory.)

Hakushu 12-Year-Old Japanese Single Malt Whisky Review
Photo courtesy of Beam Suntory

Photo courtesy of Beam Suntory

The Hakushu Distillery, owned by Beam Suntory, sits at the foot of the Japanese Southern Alps, surrounded by forests.  I’ve never had the pleasure of visiting, but a quick internet search shows some breathtaking images.  The distillery was the company’s second, built in 1973.  It produces a different style than the company’s other major distillery – The Yamazaki.  Hakushu delivers a fresher and more herbal style.

The core lineup consists of a no-age statement Distiller’s Reserve as well as 12-year, 18-year, and 25-year-old expressions.  The 12-year-old expression is bottled at 43% and retails for about $70.

Japanese whisky is as popular as ever, seeing record sales.  However, Hakushu 12-year doesn’t seem to be as popular as Yamazaki 12-year or Hibiki as I still see it on shelves.

Hakushu’s website describes this 12-year-old expression as “green with herbal notes.”  That’s an accurate summary.  A short menthol blast on the nose starts things off, soon developing into waves of freshly mowed grass, lime zest, tangy Granny Smith apples and malt.  There isn’t an overt toffee note, but it’s in there.  In terms of taste, Hakushu 12-year-old comes across as what I’d best describe as candied herbs.  It’s nice and different.  Some tropical fruit, basil and lime juice are the main players here.  Sweet malt and green apple show up in the mid-palate alongside a bit of smokiness.  The long finish is full of sweet, sour and malty notes, leaving behind a lone pine note after some time.

Well that was different.  Different, but delicious.  I can say I’ve never tasted a whisky quite like this.  It’s zesty notes keep things fresh, while the herbal note and smoke add some unique character.  It’s an excellent year round whisky.  Hakushu 12 is a great choice, and comes with my recommendation.  Just know it’s not your ordinary whisky.

8/10
(Note: A review sample was provided by Beam Suntory.)