Yamazaki The Private Cask Cask 3T 70070 57.5% 1993

Distillerie	Yamazaki
Embouteilleur	OB
Serie	The Private Cask
Mise en bouteille pour	La Maison du Whisky
Date de distillation	1993
Date de mise en bouteille	2012
Pays	Japon
Région	Japon
Age	19
Cask Type	1st Fill Sherry Butt
Numéro de fût	3T 70070
Alcohol percentage	57.5
Volume
État	Parfait
Étiquette	Parfait
Stock	1

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Official tasting note (93)

TASTING NOTE (LMDW): From the outset, this Yamazaki announces the color by loudly proclaiming its Andalusian influences. So, things are clear, hard-core cask sherry lovers, this Yamazaki is for you. However, the most reluctant would do well to leave their a priori aside as this complex, generous and epidermic version shatters all the clichés frequently spread. Color: mahogany. Nose: voluptuous, unctuous. Hot chocolate, blood oranges, toasted walnuts, apricots, wild blackberries, figs, gingerbreads, saffron, nutmeg, linden honey, queen-claude jam, strawberry woods, cherry in brandy. Malted barley finally arrives at the climax. Palate: fluffy, silky. The cocoa powder, again the saffron, the crème brûlée, the melon, this is for its greedy character. Then, walnut husks, dates, cinnamon and licorice fuel a tannic mid-palate. It evolves on fresh tobacco and mango. Final: with a constantly renewed energy, it is floral (lilac purple, peony) and spicy (cinnamon, always saffron). It becomes spicy (Espelette) and powdery (cocoa). In retro-olfaction, grilled walnuts, curry and quince form a sensual triptych. The empty glass is malty and chocolatey.

Serge Valentin (91)

This baby won one of the only 4 Gold Medals at the Malt Maniacs Awards 2013. Just like Karuizawa, Yamazaki is one of the Ferraris of the MMAs, they win often! Colour: coffee. Nose: it’s a fruitier version after the 1994, but that may be the ‘easier’ strength. There’s also something Glendronachy, in a way. Coffee, earth, menthol, black raisins… With water: a calmer version of the 1994, better polished thanks to the extra-seven years of ageing, with rather more marmalade and various plums, all very ripe. Or the jams made thereof. Mouth (neat): there is not, this time, a heavy gingery side, but nutmeg can be felt, as well as cinnamon. In other words, screams first fill. Other than that, there’s a lot of ganache, or eau-de-vie-filled chocolate. Raspberry, kirsch… And pipe tobacco, heavy Balkan style. With water: a little greener and leafier this time. Orange zests, pepper, strong liquorice. Finish: very long, with excellent balance between the greeny spices (forgot to mention cardamom) and the fruits, whether fresh or dried. Funny aftertaste, with some strawberries now coming to the party. Comments: same very high quality as the 1994. Very rich whisky again.