
Оценка: 85-86/100. Цена: между 90 и 100 лв.
Yamazaki Distiller`s Reserve single malt whisky
I’m still on the wave ‘exotic whiskies from Asia’ and after the previous two articles, in which I introduced you to Kavalan Vinho Barrique and Kavalan Concertmaster port finish single malt whisky, I decided the following posts to be dedicated to something just as tasty – Japanese whiskies. I start with the new addition among the Suntory’s distillates – Yamazaki Distiller`s Reserve single malt whisky 43%. It replaces Yamazaki 10 y.o. single malt whisky, which I had the good fortune to review a few months ago. Unfortunately, exactly Distiller`s Reserve becomes the main malt whisky of Suntory that will be available on our territory, the 12 and 18-year-old distillates will be of minimum, if not zero import. The reason – the growing global demand for Japanese whisky and our weak market led to the withdrawal of distillates with age statement.
This move of the company is justified by the increased global demand for high quality malt whisky and the impossibility of it to be equally satisfied everywhere. This is not an exclusive approach – more and more distilleries redirect part of their older distillates to more important markets or, as in the present case – they release such without an age statement for the not so profitable markets. If you are interested in learning more about the reasons for this, you can check the „Age of whiskey“ section. In the blog, I already presented you a few Suntory whiskies /including Yamazaki/, and you can find more info about them by using the search engine.
What does distinguishes Distiller’s Reserve from the other drinks? First, it comes with an alcohol content of 43%, but unfortunately it is chill filtered /you can find details about the meaning of the concept by using the search engine of the blog/ and it contains caramel colouring. More importantly, however, is that the liquid is a mixture, a blend of three different types of Yamazaki malt whisky – the main part is aged in Bordeaux red wine barrels and other wine /I guess the larger quantity/. Thereafter, Shinji Fukuyo, Yamazaki’s Chief Blender, adds whisky aged in sherry casks and a third portion of whisky, aged in Japanese Mizunara oak barrels. And that’s how the magic happens.
Aroma – fruit candies, dark fruits, plums, raspberries, strawberries, burnt sugar, sweetness like from a jam of the mentioned fruits, slight spiciness, cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg, honey, fruity liqueurness, a negligible hint of „earth“, light citrus /lemon/. Adding some drops of water increases the caramel and fruity sweetness. Taste – very gentle and sweet, dried fruits and a memory of sherry, dark chocolate, the mouth fills up with saliva, very delicate spiciness, tanin bitterness, which is felt behind the sweetness. With water – more sweetness, herbs and then bitterness. Finish – medium in length, buttery, a memory of dried fruits, malty sweetness, nuts, a memory of brandy. With water – the fruity nuance and syrupy sweetness became stronger.
Assessment: 85-86/100. Price: between 90 and 100 lv.