Yamazaki 25 Year (Discontinued)

While true perfection remains elusive, this sherry-forward Japanese marvel comes remarkably close (container no. 11218). The Yamazaki 25's aroma is intensely complex and heavy with notes of overripe strawberries, red roses, raisins, dried figs, and a hint of aged leather. Following a sweet initial taste, the palate develops a peppery, slightly dry character with hints of Christmas spices, cloves, and ginger. Aged in premier sherry barrels, this whisky delivers a lengthy, fragrant finish with subtle undertones of coffee and cocoa. An outstanding single malt, showcasing excellence throughout.

Wonderful. Packed with dark chocolate, dark dried fruits, spices, and berries. Smell: Plums, Raisins, Strawberry Jam, Mocha, Dark Chocolate, Cranberries, Figs, Toffee, Almonds, Blackberries, Honey, Lavender, Pink Grapefruit Taste: Raisins, Toffee, Honey, Grapefruit, Dark Chocolate, Blood Oranges, Christmas Cakes, Ginger, Hazlenuts, Gingerbread, Figs, Cinnamon, Licorice, Cloves, Nutmeg Finish: Figs, Raisins, Hazlenuts, Nutella, Prunes, Morello Cherries, Dark Chocolate, Apricots, Nutmeg, Cloves, Raspberries, Sandalwood

Nose: Wonderful dry fruit sweetness, floral, toffee, mature honey Palate: Beautiful sweetness, very fruity, floral (perhaps from a special Japanese cask?), extremely smooth leading to a mild smoky finish Finish: Long, oaky, sweet, very smooth Overall: A magnificent whisky, complex and smooth. Sweet and floral with hints of smoke. Ridiculously good!

Dark cherry flavors. It requires about 25-30 minutes of aeration, and the aroma does change. It seems like the Yamazaki distillery's attempt at Macallan-style sherry cask finishes, and it's exceptionally good. I wish I owned a bottle, but it's prohibitively expensive (2900 yen for a shot or 60,900 yen per bottle).

This expression is sherry on top of sherry, and you can detect the earthiness from the barrels. I had the honor of tasting Bottle 24279 at the distillery. It was absolutely outstanding, yet different, as I've never encountered such a strong sherry influence on my palate.

I typically avoid whiskeys aged in sherry casks, so I was apprehensive about this one. My expectations were completely overturned by a delightful harmony of fruit and flavor that I could enjoy continuously. If you get the chance to taste this, seize it.