The Yamazaki 12 year old

[Megawatt]

I ordered this bottle from the LCBO Online Vintages selection (it is 28% off right now!), and recently opened it after reading mixed reviews.

My first surprise came when I went to pull the cork, and found that it was a twist cap . I took a sniff from the bottle and was immediately pleased; it had a fresh, flowery (and floury) aroma that reminded me right away of Glenkinchie.

In the glass these similarities persisted: a sweet, malty aroma with the fragrance of summer meadows; flavours of cookie dough and sherried malt. Just enough bitterness in the finish to provide balance.

I compared The Yamazaki 12 to Glenkinchie Distillers Edition. These two malts both have flavours and aromas that I haven't found anywhere else, particularly that doughy biscuit quality. The Yamazaki is bigger and sweeterm whereas Glenkinchie tends toward dryness.

The Yamazaki 12 is definitely among my favourites so far. If I had a rating scale it would probably score an 8.5 at least.

[kyorke1]

Interesting, thanks for that, did you not find any banana notes? It also reminds me of a lowland whisky.

[RogerB]

I too have had very pleasant experiences with the Yamazaki 12, and hopefully will be able to pick some up for my own collection.

[Megawatt]

Interesting, thanks for that, did you not find any banana notes? It also reminds me of a lowland whisky.

Banana? Even without having a glass in front of me I can kind of see what you mean, that indefinable banana quality. I'll have to look for that next time.

Also kind of reminded me of Glenfiddich Solera Reserve; that rich, sweet, multi-layered flavour derived from multiple cask types. The Yamazaki 12 used 5 types of barrels of three kinds of wood, I believe.

[Megawatt]

I definitely get banana bread notes now that you mention it. I'm surprised I didn't peg that initially.

[borgom]

Don't forget the melon!

[Novice Scotch Fan]

I had the Yamazaki 12 last night and thought it was great. Will be buying another one.

[Megawatt]

I hear the 18 year old is that much better. I hope it comes around these parts sometime.

[dramtastic]

For me even better are the Cask Strength Suntory's/Yamazaki's and Hakushu's. If you ever get a chance to buy or try one of these, I say go for it.

[lincoln imp]

I was really looking forward to trying this bottle but i think its pretty ordinary and tasted to me like a cheap bourbon from Aldi called something like Golden Sunrise.
I think i may have a try later on and hopefully will get a different result.

[pmullin]

I hear the 18 year old is that much better. I hope it comes around these parts sometime.

The 18 is indeed a fine dram, much more along the lines of a sherried speysider or HP 18.

Another great Japanese whisky is the Hibiki 21 year old blend.

During a recent Japanese whisky tasting I participated in, the Yamazaki 18 and Hibiki were at the top of the heap.

[Novice Scotch Fan]

As for the Yamazaki 18, I have had it on three separate occasions from two different bottles with the same results, very underwhelmed (is that a word?). I am surprised because the praise on line for the 18 has been universally positive. A friend and I cant see what the big deal is. Anyway, I will try it one more time, but not hopeful. I had it many years ago and it was great, just not this bottling year maybe? I definitely prefer the 12 yr old.

[Bruichladdict]

Another good bet is the Nikka Yoichi 10 yo. (Thanks to Y2M for sharing!) You would be shocked that it is Japanese. It is lightly-med. peated...just enough to add cheweyness. Can we still get it in Canada? One of the best malt whiskies I've had.

[Megawatt]

Another good bet is the Nikka Yoichi 10 yo. (Thanks to Y2M for sharing!) You would be shocked that it is Japanese. It is lightly-med. peated...just enough to add cheweyness. Can we still get it in Canada? One of the best malt whiskies I've had.

oh yes, i think we swapped yamazaki 12 and nikka 10. nikka 10 is not around in Ontario anymore at least...i got one unopened still....the $25 off was sweet.

what i would want in ontario is yamazaki 18 again...but not for more than the $110 they had it before...i lost out on that. I am skeptical in getting the Karuizawa 8 but i might settle for it sometime.

I was checking out that Karuizawa 8 as well, but it sold out in my area. Do let me know if you get around to trying it.

[scotchdrinker]

I just tried Yama 12 for the first time the other night and I thought it was really good.

[Muskrat Portage]

Mello 2 yello:

Can't find Yamazaki 12 in the LC website at all. I picked up a bottle in Winnipeg at the price point of $100.50. I sure as heck hope I wasn't "taken". It was down $25.00 from the initial price but was nowhere near 50 bucks!

I live in the wrong part of the globe, by 6 timezones!

Musky

[Novice Scotch Fan]

Muskrat, one of two things may have happened. (1) you accidentally picked up the 18 yr old; (2) they accidentally rang in the 12 at the 18 price point.

$100 for the 12yr old sounds ridiculous. It's good but not $100 good. Anyway, we look forward to your tasting note here, or atleast what you think of it.

Cheers!

[dramtastic]

It's too bad Suntory hasn't released it's Pure Malt "Hokutu" 12(inverted
commas, as they also release another Hokuto without them), outside of Japan. I've had their Yamazaki 12 and Hakushu 12 but IMO their "Hokuto" 12 is better than both of them and half the price.

Oh and the "Hokuto" written in inverted commas only appears on the box not the bottle, though that one also has a black top on the bottle as opposed to a white one on the ordinary Hokuto.

Did I mention Suntory also has a Pure Malt 12 that doesn's mention Hokuto at all.

And at which point in all this did you fall asleep? zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[Megawatt]

On a related note, it seems that Japanese distillers use the terms "pure malt" and "single malt" interchangably.