Yamazaki Distiller's Reserve

N: Light and vibrant. Abundant sherry cask and Bordeaux influence with wine-like dried fruits. Toasted barley, bitter cocoa powder, dark honey. P: Dry, medium-bodied with warm spice. Stewed pear, sharp red berries, substantial toasted malt and honey in the middle, followed by vanilla, toffee, and clove. F: Medium. Notes of peaches, brown sugar, cloves, and oak tannins. A subtle floral undertone, though not particularly delicate or refined. The Yamazaki 12 and Hakushu 12 are undeniably delicious and offer a great deal. However, the AUD$450 price tag is, in a word, outrageous. Priced at approximately one-third of the cost, the DRs are intended to be accessible representations of their fully aged counterparts. For Hakushu, the DR is a close match. For Yamazaki, in my opinion, the DR is a weak imitation. Complexity, depth, texture, and delicacy are all diminished or absent. Even without knowledge of the Y12, the DR is still not great, hovering just on the intriguing side of good. If the Y12 is beyond your budget, I'd suggest skipping this YDR. [Pictured here with a lump of Adamite on a limonite-gossan from Ojuela Mine, Mexico. Adamite is a zinc arsenate hydroxide mineral that is found in the oxidised zones above zinc ore deposits or in arsenic-bearing hydrothermal mineral zones. Pure adamite is colourless but it is most often seen with a yellow colour due to iron replacing zinc in the crystal structure.]

Nose: The aroma features cherry blossoms and plenty of ripe tropical fruits. There are hints of dark chocolate, plum, dark honey, and brown sugar, along with a bit of crème brûlée. A distinct acetone note, reminiscent of pear and red apples, is present. Adding a few drops of water reduces these scents. I don't detect the perfumed quality from the mizunara that I anticipated, but overall, the whisky has a pleasant aroma. Palate: The palate presents a shift. It's quite sharp and spicy, with undertones of honey, brown sugar, and caramel. The tropical fruit flavors are noticeable but are overshadowed by the sharpness. This sharpness suggests a very young spirit, which is quite disappointing for a costly non-age-statement bottle. Even with a little water, the sharpness remains, making it a letdown. Finish: The finish is practically nonexistent and doesn't meet expectations. There's not much to say here. It leaves a lemon citrus taste but otherwise lacks depth and is very brief. It's likely one of the worst finishes I've encountered. Given the price, I cannot recommend this whisky to anyone. I would much prefer Nikka From the Barrel, which I consider a top-tier affordable yet excellent Japanese whisky, over this one. Overall: The nose is beautiful, but the palate is very thin and disappointing, simply too sharp. The finish is nonexistent. It's best to try a sample at a bar to form your own opinion before purchasing an expensive bottle.

Caveat: May have COVID Nose: jam, some apple, malt. Some light vanilla and honey, a bit of that milk chocolate wafer smell. Strawberry note I’ve heard about becomes more apparent after a few sips. Palate: Malty, a little spicy. Oak notes, fruit notes are pretty juicy whatever they are. Can see the fresh berry and white peach notes more and more as it opens. Lychee. Finish: Spicy, like a red hot. Sweet note underneath it. Overall: nice blend of fruit and cinnamon spice. I had to lean on MoM notes and others to guide this tasting because my taste and smell are a bit off, but only noted the things I could actually pick up with their help. Feels like a juicy, generous dram that would be great in summer. Could be a higher rating if my senses turn out to have been impaired.

Another excellent Japanese malt. I detect notes of fruitcake and spiced pear, while a friend also notices prunes, and they are correct. There's a great deal of refinement present, with a peculiar, sour oak characteristic and a gentle smokiness. On the palate, baking notes reappear: peach upside-down cake and rich flavors resembling the finest tiramisu. Bright notes of guava are evident, and gardenia blossoms enhance the upper palate. Damp moss and mild peat smoke contribute to the subtlety of this whisky, while the unique oak funk adds complexity and appeal. The finish is wonderful, with oak spice and sandalwood taking precedence over the dessert flavors. A final touch of tropical fruit and salinity completes the experience.

Finding Japanese spirits these days is either a scam or costs a fortune; even non-age statements like the Yamazaki Distiller's Reserve are scarce. The aroma is full of fruit, richness, and doesn't seem too young, with notes of papaya, unique spices, and lemon cream, accented by sandalwood, peach, and a botanical hint. The initial sensation has a slight bite, but the palate soon gets better with tastes of berries, citrus, and mint. Spicy pepper, oak astringency, and a growing dryness from the Bordeaux barrels propel the strong conclusion. It's a quite good drink, though nowhere near as good as the 12-year-old. RATING: 3.7/5.0 stars ≙ 85 pts → ABOVE AVERAGE [+]

Yamazaki Single Malt Whisky - Distiller’s Reserve Spring 2014 Release is an elegant single malt from the Yamazaki distillery, aged in Bordeaux wine casks & Sherry casks along with Mizunara casks. It has an aromatic start with notes of dried fruits, strawberries with flowers, sandalwood & a hint of coconut; while a rich & fruity journey adding notes of dried berries, raspberry, oak, peaches, & spices; that led to a long end with notes of vanilla & a hint of floral cinnamon. October 2017 / July 2022