Japanese whisky has earned a spot on the world stage, and few bottles are extra iconic than the Yamazaki 12 12 months Previous. First launched in 1984, it helped introduce a worldwide viewers to the concept Japan might rival Scotland in single malt high quality. At this time, it is likely one of the most acknowledged and extensively collected whiskies within the class.
However how good is it, actually?
At The Whiskey Wash, our personal Mark Bostock reviewed the Yamazaki 12 in 2024. His verdict is considerate, balanced, and one of many most-read opinions on the positioning. On this article, we take a better take a look at his impressions, examine different professional opinions, and discover what makes Yamazaki 12 such a landmark bottle.
The Whiskey Wash Assessment – A Balanced Take
In 2024, Mark Bostock reviewed the Yamazaki 12 12 months Previous for The Whiskey Wash. His take shortly grew to become one of many most-read opinions on the positioning, providing a clear-eyed evaluation of a whisky many regard as a contemporary basic.
Bostock highlighted a vibrant nostril with orange, apple, pineapple, and jasmine tea layered over earthy notes. On the palate, he discovered it clean, mild, and barely oily, with apricot, banana, coconut, and a touch of cinnamon spice. It was, he wrote, “an ideal introduction to Japanese whisky.”
His important critique was the end: brief to medium, with fleeting fruit and citrus that dried out shortly. He felt it “simply falls brief” of a better rating, suggesting a stronger bottling or longer end might need elevated it. His remaining score: 6 out of 10.
You’ll be able to learn the complete assessment right here on The Whiskey Wash.
The Divided Verdict – Different Professional Opinions
Mark Bostock’s assessment isn’t an outlier. Amongst whisky critics, Yamazaki 12 evokes each admiration and hesitation, relying on what a reviewer values most.
In settlement with Bostock’s measured take is The Whiskey Ramble, whose 2022 assessment described the 12 12 months Previous as “completely effective and completely gratifying,” however in the end “not spectacular.” The creator questioned the worth at its present worth, calling it “an excellent whisky at an ideal whisky’s worth level.” For drinkers targeted on end, depth, or worth, the criticism resonates.
Different consultants, although, are much more enthusiastic. In a 2018 assessment for Whisky Advocate, Jonny McCormick gave Yamazaki 12 a rating of 93 factors, calling it “one to cherish.” He famous a aromatic nostril of lychee, rosewater, and raspberry meringue, adopted by silky honey, lemon, mushy spice, and crystallized pineapple on the palate. The end, in his view, was lengthy and evolving, with candy citrus and spice “fading out and in.”
Equally, Drinkhacker awarded it an A-, highlighting its steadiness of fruit, spice, and light-weight smoke. Reviewer Christopher Null described it as a whisky that “effective by itself, higher with a splash of water, and good on the rocks, too.”
Given the vary of opinions, it could be truthful to counsel that the divergence comes all the way down to what the reviewer expects from the whisky and whether or not, of their opinion, it meets these expectations. For a whisky as lauded as Yamazaki 12, you may anticipate perfection. For some, it doesn’t fairly meet that mark. Nonetheless, as everyone knows effectively sufficient by now, whisky is totally subjective. In case you haven’t sipped Yamazaki 12, strive it. You may discover it’s the whisky you have got been ready for.
A Whisky That Modified the Recreation
Whether or not you see Yamazaki 12 as delicate or underwhelming, its significance in whisky historical past is past dispute. Launched in 1984, it was the primary critical Japanese single malt aimed toward a worldwide market. Till then, most Japanese whisky was both blended or consumed domestically. This bottle modified that.
It was made on the Yamazaki Distillery, based by Shinjiro Torii in 1923 and now a part of Suntory’s portfolio. The distillery sits between Kyoto and Osaka, in a area identified for its pure water and misty local weather, situations Suntory nonetheless markets as important to its taste profile. The Yamazaki 12 label has barely modified since launch and stays the flagship expression of the vary.
Yamazaki 12’s success helped legitimize Japanese whisky on the world stage. Even as we speak, Yamazaki 12 stays the reference level for a lot of drinkers exploring Japanese single malts for the primary time. Although provide shortages within the 2010s brought about short-term shortage, the whisky stays accessible as we speak, although usually priced at $120 to $150 or extra, relying available on the market.
What Makes Yamazaki 12 Distinctive?
Yamazaki 12 is a single malt comprised of 100% malted barley at Japan’s oldest whisky distillery. What units it aside is the number of cask varieties used for maturation: American oak, Spanish sherry oak, and Japanese Mizunara oak. Every brings one thing totally different, from vanilla and coconut to dried fruit, spice, and incense-like aromas.
It isn’t essentially designed to be daring, however balanced and delicate. Such has develop into one thing of an indicator of Japanese whisky.
Value It?
Yamazaki 12 12 months Previous is extensively revered, however opinions differ on simply how good it truly is. Mark Bostock at The Whiskey Wash referred to as it clean, fruity, and fragrant, although held again by a brief end and low power. Others fee it far larger, praising its steadiness and finesse.
What’s clear is that Yamazaki 12 stays a defining bottle in Japanese whisky. Whether or not you discover it understated or distinctive, it’s plain that this bottle did wonders for the Japanese whisky market.
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