Yamazaki (Suntory) Single Malt Bourbon Barrel Bottled 2012 is a limited-edition single malt whisky from the Yamazaki Distillery in Japan. It is the third bourbon cask release in Suntory's renowned Wood Collection, launched between 2009 and 2014, with only 3,000 bottles produced worldwide, making it highly valuable in the collector's market.
Product Specifications
- Alcohol by volume (ABV): 48%
- Volume: 700ml
- Barrel type: 180-liter American Bourbon Barrel
- Vintage: No NAS (Not Inspected), but bottled in 2012 (industry consensus estimates the spirit was aged for less than 10 years)
- Processing characteristics: Non-chill filtered, Uncolored
Flavor Assessment
According to whisky review websites and expert tasting notes, this whisky, matured in small bourbon casks in Japan's warm climate, exhibits a remarkably elegant and mellow sweetness:
- Color: A clear, pale golden color.
- Nose: A pronounced aroma of oak and rich fruit. The sweetness of caramelized roasted apricot and nectarine emerges, followed by notes of whole wheat bread and a hint of rose. The oak is fresh and not burnt.
- Palmistry: On the palate, a prominent sweetness of vanilla ice cream and buttercream frosting is apparent. The mid-palate develops into a rich tapestry of black pepper, bitter tea, honey, and apricot, with a moderate oiliness.
- Finish: Medium length. Aromas of vanilla frosting and citrus peel linger on the edges, with a subtle warm finish of yeast and grain.
Tasting Notes
Known for delivering a creamy, vanilla-forward palate with tropical fruit and coconut undertones, beautifully contrasting the distillery's heavier sherry-casked offerings. It holds an aggregated rating of 86.07/100 on Whiskybase.
