Yamazaki 18 Year

Nose - notes of red berries, apple, cherry, plum, dates, marshmallow, a whisper of citrus, confectioners' sugar, wine, pecan, walnut, coffee, and woody spice indicative of mizunara, along with cracked pepper, honey, decadent butterscotch, smooth vanilla, cinnamon, chocolate, nougat, and a slight ethanol sting. Palate - tastes of milk chocolate, apple, cherry, butterscotch, powdered sugar, dates, figs, plums, citrusy liquid, clove, cardamom, more berries, woody spice, wine, marshmallow, coffee, smooth vanilla, ginger, walnut, cinnamon, honey, nutmeg, and a gentle alcohol prickle. The finish is moderately long, featuring spirited chocolate, sweet berries, and spice notes reminiscent of baking. This spirit achieves a superb equilibrium. It surpasses most Japanese whiskies I have encountered, rivaled only possibly by Nikka from the Barrel, and even then, it's a close contest. While the Nikka presents a more youthful and vibrant character, I appreciate how it enhances the overall experience. With the Yamazaki, the maturity is evident in both aroma and taste, which is pleasing, yet the complete sensation feels almost too harmonious, too seamlessly combined. It's not dull, but it lacks distinct sharp points or particularly memorable characteristics. This observation is less a fault of the whisky itself (which is clearly expertly blended and carefully crafted), and more a reflection of my personal preferences, which gravitate towards more intense and demanding flavor profiles. In summation, it stands a couple of notches above the average and was enjoyable to evaluate. I'm keen to sample the 12-year-old expression to determine if its younger counterpart offers more intrigue to my taste.

I've had this sample for a few months, intending to review it after tasting Yamazaki 12 to observe the age progression. Now that I've reviewed that one, I can finally open this highly-touted bottle and see if it justifies its multi-hundred dollar price tag. The nose begins with a subtle smokiness, reminiscent of sandalwood incense in a distant room, followed by rich caramel, candied ginger, cherry cordials, toasted marshmallow, espresso, walnuts, vanilla beans, and poached pears with a mild ethanol burn. The palate has a medium, viscous mouthfeel, starting with rich caramel, candied ginger, chocolate orange, cherry, and stewed cinnamon apple, then transitioning to sage, leather, and sandalwood spices with a light ethanol burn. The medium-long finish features chocolate-covered espresso beans, candied ginger, raisins, stewed cinnamon apples, leather, and a faint sandalwood incense smoke that persists for minutes. This is undoubtedly superior to the 12, having tasted them side-by-side. It is far richer, more balanced, and possesses greater depth of flavor. However, I don't believe it warrants its price or reputation. I regret not purchasing the 18 years ago when I saw it for $100 and trying it then, as its quality might have declined due to high demand. I'm glad I had the chance to taste it, but it was just a sample, saving me $850 for other whisky pursuits.

I took too long to try this dram. I even have an unopened bottle at home, keeping it that way since the price skyrocketed, with some shops selling it for up to $1000. Honestly, I was expecting something mind-blowing, award-winning, a new top-tier spirit, but this wasn't it for me. Make no mistake, it's a great dram, I just don't think it met my expectations. Bottled at 43% with a beautiful chestnut hue. On the nose: Absolutely perfect. Incredibly sweet: Orange, Cotton candy. Intense sweetness, like the residue at the bottom of a coffee cup. Orange hard candy. A hint of sherry after some air time. After a perfect score on the nose, I was excited for the palate and finish, but it didn't fulfill the aroma's promise. On the palate: A bit watery. Slightly spicy. Very smooth. Caramel. A subtle sherry note. It has a fruitiness like a Speyside whisky, but it's all too smooth and easy. I consider this the downfall of fancy whiskies. Nothing is unpleasant, quite the opposite; they are delicious and overly smooth. But for me, that's not very engaging. Finish is brief with a ginger note and chocolate with salt, but very faint. Overall, this is a good dram. Many will enjoy it. I just don't find it particularly interesting. 85 out of 100 is a fair score; I wouldn't pay $1000, not even $300, but at least I've ticked it off my whisky bucket list. I believe it's too 'gentle'.

Fortunate enough to have a friend share this. The bottle was nearly empty, about 15% remaining. Current price $700+ OMG Awards: World Whiskey 2018 Gold. International spirits challenge Double Gold. SF Spirit Challenge Best in Show, etc etc. GC. Didn't let it breathe, too excited Nose (5): Delightful. Perhaps low in the bottle or I can handle the proof now, but I can stick my whole nose in. It's not bold or punchy. Instead, it's rounded and gentle. You definitely get a lot of flavors, and it evolves. Things I could identify: Dried ginseng. Condensed honey syrup. Those dried Asian prunes without the sourness. A hint of wood and peat. Vanilla powder. Caramel. Wood spice. Palate (4.75): Like the nose, this evolves. Flavor-wise, I can't complain. It mirrors the nose. The only other note was some hints of milk chocolate. Not perfect because I wanted more punch. I think if this was slightly elevated in proof, it would be amazing for me. Finish (5): No harshness, but this thing has a long finish. A lot of woody notes. Dried-out wood that has been baked next to a blueberry, raspberry, boysenberry pie. Overall: I'm so glad I had the opportunity to try this. I would definitely purchase it if I could afford it. Just need to wait until supply returns. I believe the MSRP for this bottle was $250-300.

This marks my initial experience with Japanese whisky. Upon learning this particular bottling earned a 2025 international spirits competition award for best overall whiskey, I decided to finally try it, and I'm incredibly pleased I did. Japanese whisky builds upon Scottish techniques, and you can discern the heritage in the precision and equilibrium that characterize this bottle. Compared to its Highland/Speyside Scottish counterparts, which I adore, this whiskey offers slightly less smoke and a greater emphasis on harmony and balance throughout the tasting. It's exceptionally easy to drink and has wide appeal across various palates. The aroma presents an alluring combination of dark fruit, honey, vanilla, and floral hints. This expression delivers a pleasing creamy burst of complementary tastes, including smoke, leather, oak, dried fruits, chocolate, and light baking spices. The finish is luxuriously smooth with a hint of butterscotch that dissipates quickly. Whiskey aficionados will recognize the smoothness, balance, and extensive flavor range, though it may lack the boldness and complexity found in higher ABV Scottish single malts.

Having appreciated Yamazaki 12 for some time, I was eager to try the renowned 18. It's rare for two whiskies to generate such legendary status that their distillery announces both are out of production, yet they remain available. Here are my impressions from my notes and memory: Nose: Fruit Stone fruit Grassy Oak Japanese oak Tonic water Smoky cream Vanilla and honey undertones Palate: Similar to the nose, with notes of pear, stone fruit, mild peppery smoke (slightly peaty), cream, and vanilla. Significant oak and some sherry notes present. Finish: Long, with rich ethanol and minimal burn. Essentially, it's Yamazaki 12 amplified. It's very oak- and wood-forward, highly fruity with some peat for good measure. Is it worth £800 a bottle? Definitely not. However, it's fascinating, and if you have the opportunity to taste it, you won't be disappointed.