Review #242 - Yamazaki 12 Year
Suntory labels the Yamazaki single malt as their flagship product on their website, as they explain it is Japan's oldest malt whisky distillery - here, we have the 12 Year Old version, the second step in their core range, after the 'Distiller's Reserve' takes the entry level spot. This is a real Japanese whisky, as opposed to many whiskies coming from the country these days, which are sourced from other countries and labeled as Japanese due to the country's current lax whisky regulations.
This spends time aging in American, Spanish, and Japanese oak, according to the brand - presumably some mixture of ex-bourbon, ex-sherry, and Mizunara oak maturation, then. Should be a nice mixture of flavors with that cask variety, and due to the age statement, we should get some nice maturity as well; whether or not the flavors can overcome that slightly low 43% bottling strength is another point entirely.
Yamazaki 12 Year
Japan - Single Malt
Current Locally Available Price: USD 170 (2024)
Age Statement: 12 Years
Strength: 43% ABV
Cask Makeup: American oak, Spanish oak, and Japanese oak casks
Tasting Methodology: Reviewed 2 times over 1 month from a sample. Tasted in a Glencairn glass each time, rested 10-15 minutes
Nose: Soft and floral, lightly perfumed; hints of waxy character, heather, honey, and vanilla add sweet notes. There's fruit like grape skins or white grape; soft malty character as well, just a hint of mustiness. Quite subtle and delicate.
Palate: A medium-thin mouthfeel; soft and subtle again, with a mix of floral, woody, and baking notes. Hints of white pepper and black pepper, some dry oak, a bit of cinnamon and barley grain; there's just a tiny bit of orchard fruit, along with some salty and chalky tones. With time, the floral side grows stronger.
Finish: Soft oily texture with barley flavors, leaning a little dry as opposed to sweet. Wood spice, heather, perfume, and hay come to mind; there's a hint of white grape again, along with soft vanilla and more chalk. Medium in length.
Final Note: Quite soft and subtle, and the complexity is a moderate level in our experience - not boring, but a bit simpler than we hoped. The subtle flavors and lower bottling strength don't allow this to deliver a standout experience, but it is pleasant to sip on, especially if you enjoy light, floral notes.
Unfortunately, because of the reputation and limited production of Japanese whisky in the last decade, the prices on this have shot up to a crazy level; $170 for a 12 year old, 43% whisky feels a bit overpriced. Nice sipper, but not going to be a winner on value.
Our Average Rating: 6.3 / 10
In the current whisky landscape of increasing prices and variable quality, we've added a value rating to our reviews that relates to the score and the available pricing of each whisky. This roughly equates to a 0-10 scale; no reviews so far have exceeded a score of 10, although it is technically possible for the formula to produce a value rating higher than 10 with a high enough score and low enough price.
Value Rating: 4.51
