Yamazaki

The Pioneer of Japanese Whisky

From Yamazaki was born the surprising, delicate yet profound experience of a Japanese single malt. Spiritual and deep, its signature multi-layered taste is highly praised by whisky connoisseurs all over the world.

Today, Yamazaki is not only the “number-one” single malt whisky in Japan, but is enjoyed in more than twenty-five countries. From www.suntory.com

Yamazaki 12yo (43%, OB, +/-2010)

The nose presents some smoke like aromas along with wet cotton, a good heaviness and nice oak spice. The taste is spicy with some tea leaves, marmalade, lashings of black pepper and it’s surprisingly strong. The oak spice comes through quite quickly but it does not take over the short, it is all complimentary. This is a very nice whisky. Some fruit of disguised origin lurks in the back ground. The finish is very much of chocolate (unsweetened dark), more of the oak spice and black pepper and finally towards the end some really good chewy malt.

Yet another excellent whisky from Japan.

$35 in some US markets

Score 87

Hibiki

The legendary Hibiki represents true harmony. The enigma of perfection, the paragon of the art of whisky and the art of Japan’s artisans.

Hibiki, meaning resonance in Japanese, speaks to the soul and emotions of the most discerning whisky lover. Hibiki resonates from nature, and all the subtleties found from the twenty four seasons of the old Japanese lunar calendar. Numerous types of pure single malt whiskies ageing in various types of casks, including Mizunara, a very rare Japanese oak, all combine to create a full orchestra of flavors and aromas.

Seductive, blossoming and enigmatic, Hibiki celebrates the unrivaled art of blending, fine craftsmanship, and sense of luxury of the House.

Bearing the seal of the House of Suntory, this majestic blend is its rightful paragon. From http://www.suntory.com/

Hibiki 12yo Japanese Blended Whisky (43%, OB, +/-2010)

On the nose there is some good sweetness backed by lots of oak note however the oak does not dominate. There is also some tinned fruit cocktail and lychee fruit, it’s all rather lovely and verges on sensational. This is a blended whisky? No matter, it’s very good. The sweetness is simply rather lovely. The taste is a tussle between the sweetness, the oak spice notes and some really good leather & tobacco moments tinged with some really excellent cocoa. Brown sugar and furniture polish, cold unsweetened black tea (but in a good way); good influence from the casks and very tasty. The finish shows some malt and all the other characteristics as previously described. It’s quite long and does not veer off on a tangent. 

……… all combine to create a full orchestra of flavors and aromas….quite right!

$40

Score 88 points