22 Mar Whisky Wednesday: Suntory Yamazaki 25 year old single malt whisky

It’s been a while between Whisky Wednesdays so we thought we’d start 2017 with a big bang. We procured this bottle in Japan and very carefully (wrapped in many layers of winter clothing!) brought it back a couple years ago and kept it on the down-low for a while.

However, we are heading towards the end of the bottle and we’re not sure we’ll ever see another one – so it’s time to share it here.

Whisky: Yamazaki 25 year old single malt whisky
Distiller: Suntory Whisky
Country: Japan
Type: Single malt whisky
ABV: 43%

Colour (what does it look like?):
Mahogany

Nose (what does it smell like?):
Dried cherry, currant, tomato puree, balsamic, walnut

Palate (what does it taste and feel like?):
Marmalade, coffee, cocoa, almond

Finish (how does the flavour finish on the palate?):
Profound, hint of acidity

Background

A quarter of a century is no small amount of time to be ageing in a barrel. Adding angel’s share and storage costs for 25 years goes some way further in justifying the high cost of Yamazaki 25 year old single malt. You’ll rarely see it on the market, let alone on a back bar; and sadly we won’t have it for too much longer.

From Japan’s most well-known distillery in the Osaka prefecture, Yamazaki 25 year old comprises selected malt whiskies aged in sherry casks for over 25 years old. It features a deep red hue and sweet bouquet imparted by the sherry casks, and a complicated and layered taste of interwoven sweetness and bitterness and a long, deep aftertaste.

It won the World’s Best Single Malt whisky in 2012 at the World Whiskies Awards and has continued to pick up awards since.

Best drinking

Neat