Yamazaki Sherry Cask (2016 Edition)

Aroma: notes of dried dark fruit, vanilla, milk chocolate, and earth. Very well-rounded. No single flavor overpowers the others. Taste: The initial impression is a strong sherry combined with brine, malt, and dried dark fruit. It evokes the sensation of an exceptionally aged port. The texture is rich and oily. Again, it's very balanced and harmonizes perfectly with the aroma. Finish: Intense chocolate and dried fruit (raisin). It follows the aroma and taste profile seamlessly, remaining exceptionally balanced and smooth. The texture is oily and substantial. I could savor each sip for half an hour. This makes it difficult to consume quickly, but also unnecessary, as the flavor lingers on the palate for an extended period. The balanced notes, present from the initial aroma through to the finish, provide a complete sensory journey. Fortuitously, the finish is the longest I have ever encountered in a whisky. There is no alcohol burn. If you have the chance, give it a try. Hopefully, it will be available at a reasonable price again someday.

I prefer this over the 2013 expression due to its syrupy mouthfeel, though it doesn't quite reach the heights of Hibiki 30 or Hakushu 25. Nose: Dried figs, prunes, dates, Luxardo cherries, cranberries, dark chocolate, blood oranges, honey, butterscotch, fruitcake, roses, gingerbread, blackberries Palate: Mocha, dark chocolate, raisins, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, maple syrup, figs, tobacco, blood oranges, hazelnuts, cashews, cinnamon, papayas, apricots Finish: Dark chocolate, leather, mocha, dates, raspberries, walnuts, almonds, cherry blossoms, roses, nutmeg

I sampled this Yamazaki yesterday at a bar. The established tasting profiles accurately reflect this bottling. It presents a profound, dark sherry character alongside notes of chocolate and cherry cola. I personally noticed no smokiness. The finish had a subtle metallic hint, which was not unpleasant. At around $300, I would consider purchasing it based solely on its merit, not as a speculative buy. For over $2000, however, I would hold off for a spirit with more distinctiveness and depth.

Truly amazing, but the robust nature of single malts hasn't aged as smoothly as I'd hoped for a top-tier designation. Very impressive.

Extremely sherry-forward. While that's excellent for a sherry enthusiast like myself, it does diminish some of Yamazaki's distinctiveness.

So, it's not worth $2000 a bottle then?