Although Yamazaki distillery was opened in 1923 (as the first malt whisky distillery in Japan), it’s uncommon to see vintage releases distilled before the 1980s (apart from one or two 1979s).

Yamazaki ‘Vintage Malt’ 1980
(56%, OB 2004, refill sherry)

Nose: immediately shows huge hints of scented cedar wood (cigar box). Typically Japanese in this respect.  A lot of plums, raspberries and chocolate. Hints of tobacco leaves and dried mushroom. Cinnamon. The slightest hint of smoke. Very clean sherry with that oriental je-ne-sais-quoi. Mouth: starts sweet and sour. Plenty of fruity notes (forest berries, prunes, grapes) with bags of spices and herbs (pepper, ginger, liquorice, thyme). Some meaty hints as well. Herbal tea. Bitter oranges. Very powerful. Finish: long, more noticeably woody now. Cloves and blackberry notes.

Very big and full-flavoured but maybe slightly past its due date already. Quite expensive if you’re looking to buy a bottle: around € 380. Look at Whiskysite.nl for example. Thanks Jack!

Score: 90/100