The Yamazaki 18 is a beloved whisky the world over. Seemingly coming from nowhere, Yamazaki, under the Suntory spirits brand, is a distillery that has built up an excellent reputation. Their 18 year old is their best widely available offering.
On the nose there is sherry, cherry, malt and wood. The sherry is not overpowering. It’s a rich and enjoyable nose.
Its deep, rich amber hue hints that it is going to be a rich and sherried malt, and indeed it is. It retains the same spicey notes that the 12 year old has but with more of a cherry & oak flavor. There is a good deal of citrus peel zest in this whisky which is responsible for much of the spice. The ginger flavor I found quite prominent in the 12 year old is all but gone but the cinnamon remains. There is rich, fruity flavor with this whisky, with the previously mentioned cherry as well as stewed apple, raisins and pear. The sherry is prominent but doesn’t grab you by the throat.
The finish is long and both sweet and sour. The red fruits and spice reappear for a refreshing and warm finish.
The Yamazaki 18 is not cheap but not expensive for an 18 year old. If you’re a fan of rich, spicy whiskies with an abundance of red fruit flavors, don’t hesitate to pick a bottle up. Unfortunately it seems to be hard to find online and nowhere near as readily available as the 12 year old expression.
Yamazaki 18 year old information
- Type: 18 year old single malt whisky
- Region: Japan
- ABV: 43%
- Price guide: 100 British pounds