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Very drinkable and enjoyable - very good whisky!

Whisky making as an art - that's the essence of whisky-dō, or 'the way of whisky'. No other Japanese single malt reflects this philosophy better than Yamazaki 18. An endless potpourri of flavors overwhelms the nose: luscious, heavy sherry notes, pipe tobacco and sour plums; polished wood, leather and raspberries. The palate offers exotic wood spices, dark chocolate, dried fruits and hints of eucalyptus. Roasted coffee, mild orange zest and a touch of Mizunara oak mark the prolonged finish. An outstanding malt that has become shockingly expensive. RATING: 4.5/5.0 stars ≙ 92 pts → SUPERB

I an not sure if my palate is having an off night because everything is tasting a bit thin tonight. I found this a bit boring and lacking in complexity but I know mine will be a minority view. I think this is £300 plus at UK auctions, in my view a complete waste of money. I will try it again tomorrow but my first impressions are not great. Perhaps my disappointment is because most people seem to really rate this.

Just a shame it is a beat weak as the cedar notes and sherry work well with the fruitiness of the distillate, very drinkable.

The price is however unacceptable. The 90 pct price is based solely on the balance in the final score.

Very rich. The strong glue in the nose drags down my score a bit though.

tasted with J J

The scent kills me on distance. Vanilla full, juicy oak and fruit flavoring. Gorgeous! Similar in taste to all Yamazaki. Mild, round, you notice the art of whisky burning. Oily, fruity, again the oak, a little sherry. I think you can taste the age over the cask taste. An artwork!

Sherry, bourbon & Mizunara casks - what can go wrong? C: Sweet-herbal tincture, with strong echoes of the Karuizawa style. Also hugely reminiscent of 'that' Yamasaki Sherry cask, but the marmalade/jammy/syrupy/tincture quality is a tad more refined and less drying. Amazingly intact juice after many years in the bottle, and despite only a dribble left. Scores a B+

Nose:- Very nutty and oily, abundance of dried fruit notes derived from sherry oaks. Apricot syrup. Feints of rubber linger at the background. Palate:- Medium body with spice note. Velvet and matured with pleasant woody flavors. Finish:- Smooth and complex with medium long dry finish. Just as you think that the end of it, a sudden burst of sweet vanilla risen from the throat, offering an unique finishes only from this legendary whisky. — at The Whisky Bar, Kuala Lumpur.

Waaaaaaaaaay to expensive for its contents. Rather buy anything else, im glad this was a sample.

This is an absolutely stunning whisky from the Land of the Rising Sun.

For me a fragrant dancing masterpiece - the best 18yo ever - he is like a beautiful woman - wants one of all, attention

That nose! Wow, very good. The palate is a bit more pedestrian though. But it can't be denied that this is a very good whisky. Just shy of scoring 90 points in my book.

The nose is a 1 *. Sherry, but with tropical fruits and vanilla. This is genius. The finish is also good, a little bit harsh, but in the middle happens relatively little (something to dominant oak)

sweetness on the nose and in the mouth! fine sherry, very dark fruits, grapes and cherries cooked, macerated, a little sweet as the syrup from the bottom of the pan, the leather (that of the armrest of the old armchair!), the wood also on a dry wood and soaked as "infused", well-flavored spices, pastry! the little less, disappointment by the end, more like for me an old blend so everything is good, but without any particularity.

Fruity, Full, Woody, Sweet and complex

My expectations were high but they have been fully matched maybe even excelled. For sure a masterpiece of Japanese whisky quality and for me personally the best Japanese whisky I had so far.

The best Japanese standard that I have tasted yet and definitely a very good whisky.

Dates, figs, chocolate, elegant woodiness, light charcoal supported by dried fruits, nuts, bananas and apricots, oak bark, forest undergrowth, red berries and bay leaves. Compost, black earth, heather and sandalwood. It's very noble, almost venerable. On the palate, we have the same markers: elegance, control, perfect balance, blackberry liqueur, cherry coulis, melted chocolate, all very woody. Completely controlled spices, nutmeg and cardamom, beautiful fullness, hazelnuts and blackcurrants. Long finish but not so powerful, with notes of tea and earth, roots, pinch of vanilla and coconut powder, dark chocolate, red grapes. I didn't smell the peat, but on the other hand the flavors jostle each other, between the fine and deep wood, the fruits and the chocolate, we are served. https://ilikesky2020.blogspot.com/2023/06/the-yamazaki-18-yo.html

Hold, fun. The second bottle of whisky that I paid for my life. And I had never put a tasting note. Bottle airy since 2013 but it seems to be stable. The yama 18 and me it's a little I love you me either. Once in two I find it fade (85/100), one time out of two I like it a lot (88-89 / 100). Today, I like it. In both cases: the final always disappoints me a little.

This release is one of the discoveries in Japanese whisky for me. I tried the previous 18 in a glossy box, it is a completely different sample. It is a real chameleon whisky, hiding in itself the facets of different distillates - whisky, cognac and tequila! Difficulty of note breakdown: 9/10 24 23 22 22

This full-bodied whisky is slowly matured over 18 years in sherry butt casks. It’s a masterpiece with deep-rooted, mature notes.

If you take your time, you can have a lot of fun here. This malt offers a truly magnificent spectacle of aromas. Unfortunately, this bottle has become alarmingly expensive. Anyone who thinks this whisky isn't worth the high price should know that the normal price before the price explosion triggered by Jim Murray in 2014 was "only" €120.

Conclusion on the Yamazaki 18. Fantastic nose, taste really good, satisfactory finish. However, all this without considering the price. Who would like to give me one, go ahead! I would probably not buy it beyond € 200. Especially not for the current prices. In my opinion, he would need 3-6% more alcohol to be fully convincing in the finish.

Rich with mature autumn fruit. Color: deep amber Nose: raisin, apricot, café au lait, Mizunara (Japanese oak) Palate: blackberry, strawberry jam, dark chocolate Finish: long, spicy smooth Tasting Notes by Yamazaki ( Suntory )

Up to the current price a great whisky. I especially like the impact of Japanese oak!

PLV is a disaster!

Very nice profile. Incredibly deep, complex on the nose. Light ginger spiciness. Lots of amazingly fresh wood. Vanilla pod. Berry compote. Becomes increasingly spicier. Mint chocolate. Velvety, soft start. Subtle sweetness. Dominant fruit. Apple strudel with raisins. A little marzipan. The sherry influence is only an accompanying element in the background. It retains the ginger sharpness. Lots of oak with a subtle bitter note gives a strong kick. The alcohol is practically non-existent. Super spicy. Becomes more bitter and chocolaty again towards the finish. Very dark chocolate. After Eight. A hint of wholemeal bread and dried dates. A real complex, mature whisky. It would need a few more turns to convey the variety of aromas a little better. I think 46% would suit it well without losing any of its delicacy. But the price development is beyond any enjoyment. It's definitely not worth 600 euros plus.

So yes, it's true, it's good. But as always with Japanese whisky, it's too clean, too tight, too clean. Nothing goes beyond ranks. There is no surprise after the first sip, zero scalability. This whisky (or this batch in particular?) Is very marked by the Sherry, I was not marked by what the Mizunara can bring. In short, for this price, as much to pay a good big Scot in Sherry cask and barrel.

Great whisky, though I think the price is rather high (yes, I'm Dutch)...

A well balanced dram.  Enjoyable.

I tried several glasses of this many years ago when the price was still such that you could find a bottle open on a random bar shelf. I remember the whisky being nice, but not that much better than Yamazaki 12, which I think is way too slick and triple wood-like. Much like the Hakushu age stated single malts and Hibiki age stated blends, there is no way to justify the current price with the bottle's contents, so this has become a collector's item. If you haven't tasted this and are wondering if you should, my advice is pass. There's better stuff on offer for less money.

The holy grail of Japan.

Wonderful Sherry influences that’s prominent but not forceful.

90 Great balance! Nose: casts old school - smoked prunes, old wardrobe with jam, apricot bones ... Wonderful barrels! Taste: corresponds to the nose, nothing bulges ... 43% in this nectar is the most! Aftertaste: long, soft, pleasant, edible ...

Look good. I am thrilled and will have to go in more detail again.

An old note of mine that described this whisky years ago. Back then, this was easily beneath 100 euro. I didn't care for the taste.

Deep, mature in nature, and very complex. Notes of polished leather, maple syrup, and dark pit fruit, with suggestions of tobacco smoke, wood shavings, and unsweetened chocolate. References to fine old bourbon and ultra-matured pot-still rum provide intrigue. Proof that Japan produces some outstanding, distinctive whiskies. Nicely done!

10 times 100P ratings, but none of these raters have written any tasting notes. A.R.??? And some of them got a bottle in their whiskybase collection. Pure coincidence? I do not think so

23/23/23/23

I rated the price that I paid for my bottle, not the current price which is ridiculous

I think I’ve grown so accustomed to idiosyncratic single cask and small batch whisky that some of these manufactured drams are lost on me. It lacks character to me personally. That’s not to say it’s not good - very good, but certainly overhyped at the least. Perhaps it’s even on the better end of official 18’s, but in no way worth it’s current market value. Many disagree. Great sherry casks at play for sure, it’s a very clean, elegant dram. Plum wine, a little floral (cherry blossom), luxardo cherries, and creamed honey. A dried glue note reminiscent of grain whisky. Vanilla extract. Chocolate orange and fig jam. There’s this sherry smoke note that you generally get from old style sherry I really like. I’d like to see 46%, but it’s not to be. It’s also not my preferred style.

Nose and taste excellent old school sherry. Unfortunately, he has no exit at all. What a shame!

Perfect balance with lots of sherry influence (dried fruits, sultanas, leather), then spices, oak, syrup. Taste is slightly bitter and tannic that is why i don't go above 90 points. Overall: balanced japanese malt at it's best.  90 points. sample available: whiskysample.nl

Sherry fruity with citrus in the background. Sweet and fruity sherry oak looks a bit dry, but not unpleasant. A long fruity finish tops off this sweet filling. More likely to find in the higher price range.

Delicious whisky, albeit overpriced and over-hyped. Maybe because of the high expectations a bit disappointing for me. Well over 87+ is not enough today.

the adhesive note too pungent and too superficial, that bites with the beautiful sweet and fruity aromas, these two components do not harmonize as it should, there is no interplay between the 2 directions

Gentle, enveloping, light and drinkable, there is a small failure in the aftertaste in the form of dry wood in the background, significantly spoils it only unreasonably high price.

Fruity aroma, apple, grapefruit, lemon juice, mint, almonds, honey, vanilla and blueberry jam. Vanilla sweet taste, tannins, apple peel, walnuts, ginger, ripe grapefruit, lemon pepper, oak, vanilla and unflavored ice tea. Long, fruity, spicy and herbal end.

It tastes a bit bland.

A very complex whisky from Japan. This one profits from different oak casks and the Japanese drive for elegance inevitably. Concerning price/performance ratio: 6/10 (2015)

My first try of this whisky was in a bar and left me disappointed: sour, bitter, way too oaky. This version, bottled on Jan. 17 2012, is a total different story and changed my opinion completely. Luckily, I tried it again! My Rate: 91 points

An excellent Whisky without a doubt, but sadly not affordable anymore. Ridiculously overpriced.

This is a fascinating dram. I'd love to try it at a higher strength. I think that slightly sour edge would come together into something altogether richer. Good stuff though. I'd happily drink it anytime.

Nose: fresh, like air after a downpour, fruit collapse, dust, sour apples, plums, a little bit of white wine, rotten foliage, tree. Freshness remains with water, propolis and linden honey appear. Taste: watery, sweet-sour, wood, white wine, light bitterness, dry red pepper. Finish: long-lasting, warm and astringent. Wood, metal, baked apple, lemongrass, tablet bitterness. Conclusion: this is a mix of aging in sherry, bourbon and mizunar. And in my opinion the whisky is stuck somewhere in the middle. At different times, the balance shifts one way then the other.

It has brown colour. The nose is smooth and sweet with dried fruits, dates, raisin, berries, berries jam, coffee, chocolate, old leather, christmas cake, old furniture varnish, oak, spices, grass, wet wood,citrus and tropical fruits notes. The palate is smooth, dry and sweet with dried fruits, spices, chocolate, berries, old furniture varnish, coffee and citrus notes. The finish is long, dry and sweet with spices, oak, chocolate, dried fruits, berries, old furniture varnish, grass and light smoke notes. Yamazaki 18YO is a perfectly balanced, smooth and very tasty whisky.

This one is really different than Scotch, there's a whole bunch of aromas that I can't identify, but overall it's a lovely dram.

The smell is very appetizing, almost seductive. For a perfume I would almost call it intrusive. I like that. In the mouth, the sweetness and the vanilla are missing in comparison to the nose. The sherry portion is more noticeable. The finish is even drier. That's a good whisky, but way too expensive.

I taste this malt during my trip to Japan in September 2019, directly at the distillery. Important whisky, for meditation, no wonder it has won so many awards

Notes dated 2015-03-25 Interesting and quite balanced but somehow the good too much. For me no high flyer.

Tasting Note by The Chaps at Master of Malt The nose is quite thick and resinous, there is a pleasant oiliness with zesty citrus and peels and a hint of sherry. Plenty of oak and orchard fruits. The palate is of medium-body with green notes and an earthen note, plenty of wood resin and a floral character with zest and sherried peels. The finish is of good length with fruit and zest.

A classic Yamazaki 18, bearing the typical Japanese signature: finely interwoven sherry sweetness, elegant oak notes, and a quiet, almost meditative fruitiness on the nose. On the palate, it's soft and layered, with subtle spice and a slightly unsteady edge that creates depth rather than perfection. The finish remains dry, elegant, and restrainedly oaky – typically Japanese: balance over intensity. Given its current price tag, one has to think carefully before treating oneself. The bottle once retailed for around €180 and quickly became a collector's item.

A delicacy that is both simple and complex. Very pleasant to taste.

It is a very nice and clearly good Whisky. We can always discuss the price but this is not the order of the day.

Of course its expensive, it's a discontinued bottling so it's now priced for collectors rather than consumers therefore it's no longer fair or relevant to judge it by its price today.

Various fruits and oaks, moderately soft but very simple structure, no value to drink at a price these days

Very complex nose! On the tongue fiery - with every drum more and more! Long finish! The smooth character of a first class Japanese Single Malt - very recommendable stuff! Tasting with FineSpirits_butler1. (… and with W. Wolf and his friend Wootan Hippo van Rheen.)

Conclusion and pictures on: https://tomtrinkt.de

Sure it's an extremely pleasant dram with these serene red fruits notes, along side high-end black tea, spices, and exotic woods. It's an extremely well-composed sherried malt with nothing too loud or over the top, and at that it definitely is very Japanese indeed. That probably remains my favourite Yamazaki to date (granted, I've only had 5 or 6 different ones), even above the Mizunara. That said ... needless to say it's nowhere near worth the obnoxious pricetag it now commands. Everyone tempted to blindly buy this bottle has to be aware of the fact that massive hype and discountinuted-status play a (far too) big role in its price. I remember seeing it in my local shop for 90$ in late 2014. Sigh. Anyway, try it if you can, there's something about its "profile composition" that isn't to be found in most Scotch counterparts.

If I consider that collectors for the following 18 Yamazaki ( https://www.whiskybase.com/whisky/67756/yamazaki-18-year-old ) already pay up to 1000 €, then I keep the mentioned 1000 € in 2 -3 years in the field of the possible. One should note the following with the 18er Limited edition version: There is the same whisky in it, as with the normal 18er too. The rest is just packaging. And to pay for packaging between 400-600 € more is already sporty. Since you may here and there sometimes wonder about the current price development / design. Otherwise, the Yamazaki 18 is worth its money. Every cent.....

Yamazaki 18 is a world-class rich, rewarding and luxuriant whisky. It has a reputation for a reason - it's pure quality. However, that reputation has pushed the price of this bottle up into the stratosphere, with it now regularly trading hands at auction for £300+ (as of June 2017). Considering when I was a younger lad I used to see shelves of this in the supermarket for around £60 a pop, it's hard to recommend to most people to buy a bottle in the current market conditions https://www.thedramble.com/tastings/yamazaki/yamazaki-18-year-old/

Frankly I hesitated. The first nose and the finale made me think of a grain whisky. But the evolution of the nose and the mouth no. The very greedy notes of the nose remind me of a light sherry. In any case a dram more complex than it looks. The mouth is surprisingly lively after the great sweetness of the nose, perhaps a little too woody, although this wood is expressed in the form of spices, which is not unpleasant. It is on the finish especially that this woody expresses too much for my taste. But a good little dessert dram, for sure.

German Youtube Review: https://youtu.be/bqBOd-oWA9U

Tried one that was bottled 2004 (not on WB as I can see), but unless the profile differs much: Sherry sweetness, caramel, hay, grass, dry licorice, ash, damp leather, sulphur. Complex & unusual. In a good way.

Flowery-fruity, sherry-toed-spicy at the same time. A round and balanced malt.

Tasting Notes from Whiskyfun (Serge Valentin)This one was matured in sherry casks. The nose is very woody, in a nice way, with some varnish, turpentine. A beautiful balance. Some very soft tannins. Extremely oaky but masterfully crafted. The mouth is superbly balanced, with lots of orange juice and spices. Creamy yet nervous, with all sorts of fruit syrups and jams. Besides, the finish is very long. I loved this one: 90 points.

Tasted at Whisky Spot Chalmun’s Toy Box April 2025 Bottle code no. 731288

Woderful on the nose - complex and a beautiful density. Taste is interesting and quite surprising - spice and fire - with many fruits! Later in the finish there are overwhelming hints of sweetness plus the tartness of oak and dark chocolate ... Recommendable - as a very nice standard. For further information see the tasting note of Armin Fuchs.

LOL Neeeever deserves that price! Nice whisky who deserves 88/100 but nothing more! Asking more than 200€ for this is just bullshit!!! Claudio "This is one of the best whiskys under 1000 Euro" are you fuckin' serious? If you have too much money just give it to people who know great value for money whiskies XD For less than 1.000€ i can find at least 2 bottles of fantastic 40+ years old whiskies deserving more than 92-93/100 when this one doesn't deserve more than 88/100 and more than 250€... (and, by the way, only gay people and assholes love cats)

A good Japanese whisky. Poured this up to write a bit about it after I drank an Aultmore 21, can only say that this one is good much tastier and more-ish.

This is one of the best whiskys under 1000 Euro. He is much better than the Sherry Cask 2013 or 2009, which I have open. I like to repeat it - it is still a bargain !!! In 2 years, there are no more under 600-700. in 5 years it is around 800-1000. There are not many Scotch that can hold the water. Sure, there are even better ones - the Yamazaki 25yr. eg. Unfortunately I could never try the 35s and 50s. They are not only expensive because they are rare, but because they are good. The 25th is the blood of Zeus! But every glass from the 18s is also a poem. I am happy about anyone who sells the bottle for me cheap, when it is too expensive. Many do not describe it that bad. But if you love oranges, you should eat oranges and not pineapple! They do not taste like oranges! The Yamazaki 18 outshines any "Glen Fart". Also all ashtray smoke columns from "Ei la", although I have some old Bowmore, from 25j. certainly appreciate too. On Neudeutsch: You vrkoff dise me bilig, the good crass man, ig buy. Nothing frog that no anung, only know brikket what is cheap fusel. You write shit fon mash, ha ha you do not heel-e of guttwiski dise. Crass, old. For that gans sigger have Schoiler on VW Disel, what is my ferari, has mer ps as trabi bratmaxe east. Why do you drink a drink because nothing annoys, better dribble others like ashtrays and shit from usakanada, the big booze. Cost only 25 dolar, only. He is in a hurry, say why! Beser leave yama18 for egsbert, that's what's in it. Also what write dise formir, with English fruit cake and so shit, everything is kuatsch. drink wiski was schmekke wi wiski nix jungschool this. the better saufe gen in apoteke, there drink what kreuter also has mint. is full of crass shit say. Ei gaff dise Wisgi 93 puffed.

Don't use water!

Loads of vanilla, great fruity notes and a slightly smoky touch. Great dram.

Very unusual interesting experience

Nose: Blackberries, Maggi sauce, nougat, some oak, fruit cake (the disgusting one with raisins, but very well integrated), juicy mirabelles, some tropical fruit (mango?). A cabinet of slightly better wood. Mahogany? Taste: Amazingly strong, tingly attack, I'm about to put water in it. Red berries, lots of spice, orange peel, herbs. Finish: Long and mouth watering again; oak spice, plums, cherry brandy and peach schnapps. Tasty stuff, unfortunately really expensive now. Nevertheless: very happy to drink again.

As a picked fruit having been amputated of its maturity and thus to offer more. Too much reduced! The Limited Edition 2015 is clear on and yet to the same degree. What a slap and misunderstanding in front of a whisky that beaucouo admires so much. Its price, its demand and the speculation that surrounds it make it an incomprehensible product for me. If it had to be assigned a grade: Subjectively a 85

Everything is just right here! A single malt that ranks more than at eye level with the Scots. Sherry, fruit, sweetness and independent spice make it unmistakable for me. It is incredibly complex and yet easy and enjoyable.

Excellent. Just excellent. Could use higher ABV though!

waxy , honeycomb, flower , light vanilla, woody?, chocolate Simple yet complex, attractive

sample. great, only a little too expensive. but if you compare this to other overhyped, premium priced bottles, i would say this one is more exciting than Macallan 18. and certainly more intense. imagine this at CS.

This 18-year-old Yamazaki is a superb whisky with exceptional richness and precision. His only fault would be a slight lack of power, but it is still excellent.

It's nice to get a different (Japanese) flavor profile. This one is more towards blossom and abricots/peach, where the European sherry whisky have the orange/figs/raisin profile. It has enough going on in the glass, but it really needs to breath for a good 20 mins before drinking. It starts quite chemical (glue!) when just poured in the glass. The highlight for me is the finish, which keeps developing, but i find it rather chaotic and unbalanced in general. The glue nose is not helping either. I'm still not entirely sure about this whisky. It's a good and interesting one, but i don't get the hype. Especially at this price point you can get a lot better. On the other hand, if you're curious about the Japanese style whisky, they are all expensive.

A very nice malt - the bottle's back on the shelf and if I weren't too lazy I would check whether this is sherry matured - it certainly seems to be and is a much better one than, for example, Macallan sherry matured (to my nose and palate). Very nice indeed.

amber

This is a fantastic whisky. This whisky should always be available in everybody’s home. Buy it!!

I love whisky because of whiskies like this! What a nice stuff!

After my highly pleasant encounter with the Yamazaki 12 Years Old, I was very eager to test it’s older brother, the Yamazaki 18 Years Old. Without revealing too much in advance: My expectations were met in full and I can definitely understand now why it wins so many awards. http://dramlicious.com/worldwide-wednesday-episode-7/

Better in the nose than in the mouth but still a masterpiece.

Very tasty, palatial. The violet notes are terrific!

from nose to finish, it's raisins, dried fruits, chocolate and blood orange very powerful, very well structured, very good it lacks a bit of fantasy, surprise, a little too linear the bottle I drank recently disappointed me: the mouth was less complex than 3-4 years ago and yet the price, it has increased sharply (+ 30%)

Finally I have it in my glass, the Yamazaki 18, which has experienced a price explosion and is nowadays no longer reasonably priced. I've heard a lot about this whisky, people who rave about it, people who think it's completely overrated ... time to make up your own mind! In the glass, the whisky has a color that looks like dark amber. I let the whisky breathe in the covered glass for a few minutes and then I can't control my curiosity ... let's go! In the nose, the Yamazaki is initially quite reserved. I am no longer used to 43% alcohol because I find such a strong dilution deterrent. It lacks strength and volume. I smell a sour fruit that goes in the direction of sour Asian plum in combination with glue. This note is somewhat reminiscent of a bourbon. It is difficult for me to identify the other fruits ... For me it is mainly in a bright and tropical direction. Peaches, limes, Granny Smith apples, orange peels, papaya, sour cherries, plus great floral notes such as Japanese cherry blossoms. Vanilla notes lie above everything and in the background you can see a chocolate with pieces of caramel. The influence of the sherry barrel is more behavior compared to the bourbon barrel. This whisky has none of the heaviness, the boiled red fruits and raisins and dates, as is the case with whiskys that were in a very active sherry barrel. It goes more in the direction I know from whiskys that were in rather drained barrels and these are the citrus notes with apples and sour cherries described above. In the background you can feel the tannins of the barrels with a little pepper, an interesting oak note of the Mizunara barrels, a light spiciness and chocolate. With a little imagination, a Wrigleys extra chewing gum is discreetly perceptible. I'm a bit baffled after smelling ... Is that supposed to be it? Disappointed, I lower my expectations and hardly dare to put the whisky in my mouth. I was hoping for 90+ points when smelling and the whisky can be happy if it still gets 86 points from me. Aiaiai, it's not going well today. The whisky looks watered down in the mouth. The fruitiness is back with bright fruits and aromas of citrus fruits, but is quickly dominated by an increasing spiciness with pepper and a hint of ginger. The tannins of the barrels are now clearly noticeable with dark chocolate, chewed hazelnuts and walnuts and a dash of espresso. For me, volume, depth and strength are lacking here. By force I do not mean the alcoholic pungency, which is easily noticeable here if you take a large sip. The tannins are very pleasant, but I find the fruitiness and subtle sweetness disappointing. The finish is very much dominated by the tannins, espresso and dark chocolate stick to the palate and the sour plums, which also remind a little bit of glue, still buzz around in the mouth. Everything is sprinkled with a little pepper. The finish is medium long and very pleasant. But can not change my conclusion: The current price of over € 500 per bottle is a joke, the whisky is not even worth the € 130 I paid at the time. I had high expectations and was very disappointed. I give it 85/100 points and a disappointed face. I know a lot of whiskys for under 80 €, which I like much better.

Fresh wood, cologne, paint, peach, lollipops, dried apricots, pastry, honey, orange, tangerine, red apple, shortbread

One of my favourites,i don't Understand ratings under 80, because the whisky can't help it. In my opinion the Price is too high,but it is one of the best i have ever drunk. So i gave him 92 points

Nose well marked by coffee, also caramel, cocoa and praline tip. Mouth heavily caffeinated, very clean, strawberry suggestion. average on coffee then a well present woody class. Well done, I really like this profile.

Excellent 18-year old challenge from Japan. Probably the best 18-year old whisky I tried.

Whisky doesn't get much better. Silky fine, incredibly complex, aromas super interwoven. Sensational

Yamazaki 18y.o., 43% abv The Yamazaki distillery was built in 1923 in the city of the same name, located between Kyoto and Osaka, the climate of this area is somewhat reminiscent of Scotland. In addition, the founders used the practical experience gained by Masataka Taketsura during his trip to Scotland. It was the first plant in Japan built for the production of whisky. The production belongs to the Suntory concern - one of the world's alcohol giants. The whisky has been matured in a combination of sherry, bourbon and Japanese Mizunara oak casks and comes in at a whopping 43% ABV. Nose: the aroma is refined, deep, rounded, dried fruit with an unusual spicy character. Dried fruit liqueur, tropics, noble sandalwood, blooming garden, tartness of currant leaf, nutmeg, cinnamon. Palate: the taste is round, full-bodied, the texture is silky. A scattering of dried fruits, spicy refined woodiness of noble wood, sweet spices, dark chocolate, nuances of leather. Finish: pleasant, spicy-woody, with dried fruits, dark chocolate, leather and sandalwood nuances Balance: a rich, monolithic, refined spicy-woody whisky. Captivates with its nuances of noble wood in a dried fruit frame. A complex, deep and balanced release, which is very difficult to break down into components. Requires close study, but the price does not provide such an opportunity. N23, P22, F22, B23

Personally, I like the 12 better than the 18.

1 of my favorite, too bad that it is difficult to obtain now. And if you can find it then there is a nice price tag.

It is very difficult to single out something from the pleasant pile. Aroma: silk, velvet, dark chocolate, pistachio, very deep despite the seeming small number of shades, you want to enjoy the aroma forever; tropics, citrus, wood, spices and dried apricots. Taste: refreshing, bright, very pleasant, with bitterness and coolness, light pepperiness Aftertaste: quite short, not very expressive Balance: one of the best in terms of balance at the moment (March 2025) 24; 23; 21; 24

One of the finest Japanese single malts, offering a beautifully balanced and deeply satisfying experience. Perfect for whisky collectors and enthusiasts.

On the nose: immediately, waxy/varnish. Big cherry liqueur note. Strongly reminds me of Ferrero's Mon Chéri chocolates. Nice alcohol-aroma ratio. After few minutes, when alcohol has faded away, more oak, vanilla and sherry notes. Some raisins in there. Frankly, i love this to bits! I could smell this all day long! First taste (no water): dark chocolate (some mint?), sweet and sour, balanced sherry-tannines, foreign oak. 46% (or even 48%) would fit this whisky better. Body: medium. I would love to have a more thicker texture, more oiliness in the body. Finish: medium to long. Evenly fades away into a pleasant oaky dryness. Price: i bought it rather cheap (around 100 euro's). Now (at 350 euro's and above) it's just the market speaking. This whisky is worth what i payed for it. Presentation: come on, you gotta love this bottle!

The nose is pretty unique and probably even strange. It is somewhere between dark/liquiorious cherry, compot (or even "морс" - in english it is translated simply as "fruit drink" but it's absolutely not representable. "Mors" is berry drink mixed togther with berry puree - thats the closest i could describe). Also, a fish soup ? What the hell ? The taste is quite actually the same as aroma, same representable aspects ? Really, what is this ? Am i sipping "ukha" ? I guess the aroma and first part of the taste is strange. The second part of the taste is bitter, spicy wood, with slight hint of sherry. The finish is middle length, quite good. Despite the general wood spicyness, there is a strong note of dark dark chocolate. Also somewhere inbetween there is a slight smoke. Overall thats absolutely not what I have expected. Can't even rate it so far.

Incredibly complex and aromatic. Would have blindly much older estimated him ...

Very sherried on the nose, redolent with milk chocolate and vanillan oak with a slight minerality. The palate is quite slick, featuring more chocolate sherry and a slight mineral meatiness. Some orange citrus too. Finish is long, sherries and semi-hot. Not a bad whisky by any means, but tastes “engineered”. And it lacks some degree of uniqueness and interest as a result.

Tasted a sample, sweet flavor,  that was enough for me.

Very nice balance. Gourmand, complex, pleasant.

Amazinnnnngggg Japanese whisky!!

Sold on 18/06/2022 via Catawiki, 750 euro bid, received 636.56 euro.

I have been dying to try one of these and compare it to Scottish whisky. It was excellent, that's for sure. It was a hint different too though. I suspect the difference is the Mizunura cask (Japanese Oak) which seems to give a little less wood flavor and more... something? Otherwise, this was smooth, gave strong hints of vanilla, raisin and chocolate. I would say it falls closer to the Macallan profile than the Glenlivet profile, but again stands apart from both. All in all, very good and gives a fine showing for Japanese craft.

Simply amazing! Depth and smoothness on another level. Even better then Hibiki 21 Years.

middle alcohol stimulationg rasin sour plumms chocolate sweat just the right amount of oak's tannin astringency no bitter berry sweet and astringent tannin slightly smoked sausage but so expensive!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!

Perfect balance, a textbook example of a well aged single malt. Only wish I could have tasted at cask strength.

Loved it Comes with sherry notes from the nose. Hints of tropical fruit, possibly nutmeg and cinnamon.