Suntory The Yamazaki Single Malt Whisky 12 Year Old 750ml

Suntory The Yamazaki Single Malt Whisky 12 Year Old

One of the first Japanese single malts to break into the UK market, Suntory’s Yamazaki 12 Year Old continues to impress with its well-balanced fruity sweetness, something that appeals to novice and experienced whisky drinkers alike.

Yamazaki is Suntory’s flagship single malt whisky, from Japan’s first and oldest malt distillery. This 12 year old first came onto the market in 1984 and was the first seriously marketed Japanese single malt whisky. Since then, it has acquired something of a cult following, and for good reason! A wonderfully elegant and smooth single malt that’s certainly not lacking in flavour.

Yamazaki 12 Year has a rich, full-bodied mouthfeel which is surprising for its age. This whiskey is aged in a combination of American, Spanish, and Japanese oak barrels, adding influences from all three types of barrels and it definitely shows up on the palate.

The whiskey from the Hakushu distillery was only just recently released to the United States market and includes a fantastic range. The whiskeys produced at Yamazaki are just as impressive and this location has the distinction of being among the oldest whiskey distillery in Japan. Hibiki is the third brand label produced by Suntory and this is a blend of whiskeys from both of those distilleries.

Nose: Good body with plenty of nut oils and zest, a pleasant floral character with a little tropical fruit and a rooty note.

Palate: Smooth and soft with good sweetness and winter spice. A lovely citrus note develops with more tropical fruit notes and a little rum.

Finish: Medium with fruit and zest.