World Whisky Review #47: Yamazaki Distiller’s Reserve

Distillery: Yamazaki.

Region: Japan.

Age: OB.

ABV: 43.00%.

Cost: Pour thanks to /u/L_Tyrion.

Color: 1.3, Russet/Muscat.

This particular review was done blind with the only hint being “Japan”.

---

Nose: The first note is of something kinda musty, I can’t quite place it. Following that comes some very fruity notes of muscat grapes and white raisins. Aloe vera drink is the biggest single note as well. After a long time, notes of strawberry shortcake and whipped cream come out as well.

Palate: Quite fruity, just like the nose. Notes of green apples and a ton of moscato come through. Notes of aloe vera drink are quite dominant as well.

Finish: Medium in length. Malt barley and more of that aloe vera.

---

Guess: The hint was Japan. It definitely is not peated for sure. ABV is low, probably 43%. The strong fruity notes make me think more of Yamazaki than any of the Nikka distilleries. It’s similar to the 12 but not the 12. I’m going to guess Yamazaki Distiller’s Reserve.

Reveal: Yamazaki Distiller’s Reserve.

---

Conclusion: I’m done, I’ve peaked. I’ll never top this blind pour guess! Without the major hint of it being Japanese whisky, I would have almost certainly guessed some Speyside distillery though so I suppose I need to keep doing this. The fruity notes in the nose and palate are just so delightful, especially when the strawberry shortcake notes come through. I got a ton of aloe vera drink notes from start to finish, which isn’t one I usually get, so it was quite nice and refreshing. Overall, it is quite nice and many thanks to /u/L_Tyrion for sharing this with me!

Final Score: 80.

---

Scotch Whisky Review #362, World Whisky Review #47, Japanese Whisky Review #19, Whisky Network Review #512

---

Scoring Legend:

• 96-100: The perfect dram, nectar of the gods.
• 90-95: Near perfect, there is something truly special about this whisky.
• 85-89: Amazing, will always try to keep a bottle of this in my collection (if feasible).
• 80-84: Very Good, maybe only one minor nitpick about the whisky keeping it here.
• 75-79: Good, quite enjoyable to drink.
• 70-74: Solid, wouldn’t go out of my way to get it.
• 60-69: Meh, still drinkable.
• Below 59: If you have a bottle of this, start cooking with it instead.