The Japanese Yamazaki distillery is owned by the Suntory holding and is based in the outskirts of Kyoto. Unlike most Scottish distilleries, the stills at Yamazaki are all different in size and shape. They used some Japanese oak casks in the period after World War II, which gave the whisky a unique flavour profile, but nowadays they use sherry casks as well.

This March 1982 vintage was matured in sherry wood and has a wonderful amber colour. It seems impossible to find this bottling any more.

Yamazaki 15y 1982 
(45%, OB 1997, Sherry Wood)

Nose: delicious notes of cedar wood (cigar box) and walnuts. Plum jam. Some toffee and raisins. Clearly sherried, but not full-on. Minty chocolate. Roasted nuts and caramel. Mouth: more in-your-face sherry now. Prunes, dried fruit, bitter oranges. Grapes. Berries. Long finish, getting very dry (cloves) and rather oaky. Hints of Pedro Ximenez sherry in the aftertaste.

Very well made, with a wonderful nose. Too much oak to be stunning though.

Score: 85/100