Yamazaki single malt whisky distiller’s reserve review and tasting notes
The Yamazaki single malt distiller’s reserve whisky is a very fruity, soft, spicy and balsamic distillate in the classic Yamazaki style, the first Japanese distillery founded in 1923 by the legendary Shinjiro Torii. It is a warm, aromatic Japanese whisky, with elegant and fresh hints of red fruit, incense and sandalwood, wine and malt, flowers, there is everything: the richness of Yamazaki whiskeys is legendary and although this is the entry-level distillate it’s already a nice product.
Many complain that 12-year-old Yamazaki is much better, more sumptuous, richer, fuller on the palate and they tend to detract from this distiller’s reserve, but 12 costs more than double and doesn’t really grow on trees. of Hokkaido plums as availability. In any case, if you have never tasted Yamazaki whisky, this is the bottle to start with: you will get an idea of what this splendid distillery nestled in the forests of Kyoto offers. Not only elegance but also aesthetics applied to single malt: whisky make different refinements, each one brings a scent, a call and together they form a unique and unrepeatable symphony.
How Yamazaki single malt whisky distiller’s reserve is produced
There is a project behind these whiskeys, every detail is studied down to the smallest detail and even the times and woods for the refinements of the various batches are carefully considered. Three types of barrels are used: barriques used for red wine, which releases flavors of red and ripe fruit. Ex sherry barrels help to round and oxidize, adding softness and medicinal tones and then a small part is refined in the legendary Mizunara, a type of Japanese oak that takes more than 200 to grow. It is also difficult to work it since it is all contracted, gnarled and curved, but the balsamic flavors and aromas of incense, anise and resin that it gives to the whisky are unique. The aging of this single malt is not specified.
Organoleptic characteristics of Yamazaki single malt whisky distiller’s reserve
Purple nose, a thick and spicy juice of red fruit and blueberries in alcohol. Aromatic herbs, medicinal tones to give lysergic depth and then that call of plum and cocoa, umeboshi and wood, cinnamon, an incredible touch. Sandalwood and a slight hint of incense and fennel. To tell the truth, the influence of the Mizunara oak feels very distant, but there is a little something. On the whole, it is elegant, sharp, ethereal and chocolaty the right, mottled: as a bouquet, it is truly splendid.
On the palate it has a gustatory depth, it is articulated around this multifaceted fruit, red with raspberries and peaches, woody tones that are quite tannic, but it is never rough. There is no lack of layers of herbaceous and delicate floral taste and then closing of wood, vanilla and cherries. Structure, cleanliness, elegance, perhaps it is not very long as a sip, but considering the price, it is a Japanese whisky made to perfection.
Price of the Yamazaki single malt whisky distiller’s reserve
65-70 euros: it’s not exactly cheap, but it’s worth it all down to the last cent. You start from the concept that the care behind this “basic” product is maniacal, as it is logical for a Japanese manufacturer.
