An older Japan-market bottling of Yamazaki 18 Year Old, 700mL at 43%. It is Japanese single malt, made at Suntory's Yamazaki distillery between Kyoto and Osaka.
About This Whisky
The 18-year-old is Yamazaki's sherry-led expression. Most of the vatting spends its life in Spanish oak casks that held oloroso, with American oak and mizunara adding vanilla and incense. Older Japan-market bottles use earlier label and box designs, which collectors like for comparison with current stock. Suntory's note gives raisin, apricot and café au lait, then blackberry, strawberry jam and dark chocolate.
Tasting Profile
- Nose: Raisin, apricot and café au lait, with a trace of mizunara.
- Palate: Blackberry, strawberry jam and dark chocolate, rich and smooth.
- Finish: Spicy and lasting, with clove and cinnamon.
Serving & Food
Serve at cellar temperature in a tulip glass, neat, and let it open for a while. It is good with Peking duck, braised short rib or dates stuffed with almonds.
How to Enjoy
Drinkers who like sherried malt, and collectors comparing Yamazaki 18 across label generations.
Product Details
Producer: Suntory
Distillery: Yamazaki
Country: Japan
Region: Osaka
Category: Japanese single malt whisky
Age: 18 years
Maturation: Mainly Spanish oak sherry casks, with American oak and mizunara
Market: Japan
ABV: 43%
Proof: 86
Volume: 700mL
About the Distillery
Keizo Saji, Shinjiro Torii's second son, became Suntory's second master blender and led the company from 1961. He pushed its whiskies towards a lighter, more refined style.
Saji also expanded production. In 1973 he opened Hakushu in the Southern Alps, so that Yamazaki's blenders could draw on a second, very different malt.