Yamazaki 18 doesn’t really exist any more. Like all of the other age-stated Japanese whiskies it’s pretty much done for and the only way to really find a bottle is via an auction, high-priced specialty store or a private seller. It’s aged for at least 18 years in ex-bourbon casks, ex-sherry casks and Mizunara casks. Outside of that there’s not much else to say about it. It’s a pretty straight-forward whisky, so on to the Yamazaki 18 review!
Yamazaki 18 Info
Region: Japan
Distiller: Suntory
Mashbill: 100% Malted Barley
Cask: ex-Bourbon, ex-Sherry and Mizunara
Age: 18 years
ABV: 43%
Price: NA – Auction or specialty store.
Yamazaki 18 Review
EYE
Amber
NOSE
Rich fruit, soft warm pastries, buttery caramel, vanilla, malt, spice and a touch of oak and ash. This is a lovely aroma.
PALATE
The palate keeps the rich full theme moving along with notes of fruit, malt, char, dark sweets, vanilla, toasted grain, nuts and again a touch of oak but this time accompanied by some spice.
FINISH
Long fruity drawl interspersed with pockets of malt, nuts, spice and oak.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Well balanced, full round body and a slick, coating, almost oily feel.
OVERALL
Yamazaki 18 is another one of those highly lauded and hard to find Japanese whiskies that people seem to go ga-ga for… and this time it’s warranted. Everything I said about the Yamazaki 12 years being a good but unexciting whisky does not apply to the Yamazaki 18 – this is a dynamic and exciting whisky. I want a whole bottle of this.
Yamazaki 18 is a rich full whisky experience I’d love to have a reoccurring affair with. It is the dram that makes me sad about the current state of Japanese whisky. Both the lack of availability and the un-obtainably high price affixed to their increasingly rare sightings.
SCORE: 92/100 (A-)
