The Yamazaki Single Malt Japanese Whisky (100th Anniversary Edition)

A companion brought back some bottles from Japan, braving the TSA. My experience with Japanese whisky is limited, so I'm uninformed about regional specifics. This bottle was puzzling to log on the app. The bottle and label resembled the Distiller's Reserve, but those words were absent, even in Japanese. I found that Suntory only had two 100th anniversary Yamazaki editions, a 12 and 18 year, neither of which matched this bottle's labeling. Since this might be a different product, I logged it as the 100th anniversary edition, assuming it's a packaging variation. I'm eager to taste Yamazaki, a popular Suntory product, though rarity or cost doesn't ensure quality. Given my lack of knowledge about Japanese whisky and the exact product, anything is possible. European and some Asian whiskies I've tried are usually light in color, regardless of age, likely due to secondary barreling unlike most American whiskies. This one's golden hue is a bit deeper and more intense than other eastern whiskies I've sampled, adding intrigue given the unknown age. Despite a light proof, the ethanol carries a distinct sour malt aroma with good concentration. The sourness is most noticeable, like a green apple, with faint hints of charcoal, honey, toffee, caramel, biscuit, and vanilla, but nothing stands out clearly. The initial taste is malty with a hint of bitterness, similar to charcoal-filtered American whiskies. Honey follows, balanced with floral notes, especially honeysuckle. Light toffee, biscuit, vanilla, and caramel attempt to emerge, but the sweetness is subdued, allowing the malt to return on the finish with increased bitterness and a dry character. The low proof allows for easy sipping, yet the flavors are as assertive as higher proof spirits. While I haven't tried much Japanese whisky, I have sampled many European single malts. However, my preference for heavily peated European single malts often masks the base grain flavors. This might be the first, or best, example I've had of a single malt where the grain flavors are prominent, concentrated, and still accessible. Suntory considers Yamazaki its premier distillery, but I believe other single malt producers could achieve similar flavors for less. Like most rare items and their creators, it's not worth the effort to find, especially through secondary markets. Most importantly, the taste is excellent and satisfying when I crave a single malt, but I'll treat it as a regular part of my collection, not a prized possession.

Freshly arrived from Japan! Thanks for the sample. Nose: Drinking this from a rocks glass, so my ability to smell is somewhat reduced. It's fruity, with sherry and malt notes. Palate: Sweet, smooth, fruity. Sherry influence. Nice woody character and mizunara spice. It definitely has some younger malt characteristics that I don't typically encounter in this brand's offerings available in the US. Finish: Oak spice and tannins.