Review #50: Yamazaki Single Malt Whisky Aged 12 Years, 43% abv

post-Christmas blogging

Still away from my usual glassware, but I think I can manage to get by. This is the 12yr from Yamazaki, which had been a huge bargain in the States for the past few years. The price here seems to have converged with the prices in the rest of the world, though, so I better review this while I still can.

Nose is engaging -- linseed oil then citrus (candied orange peel), sweet and minerally sherry notes, and just a hint of smoke. Starts off like furniture varnish but ends very sweet and fruity, almost floral (orange blossom).

Malty, fruity, woody, smoky on the palate. Lightweight but nicely oily, persistent flavors. Apples join the citrus and dried fruit flavors, along with some spiciness.

Finish strangely turns back to the minerality of the nose, along with a mouthful of wood and some sweetness to balance it out. Still drying in the end.

I don't think I conveyed it well, but this really has a lot of complexity for a standard bottling. It develops nicely and has an interesting flavor profile. It seems older than 12 yrs, both for good (orange blossom) and bad (mouthful of wood). In the end it's a little too weak (43%) and drying, however.

score: 86