Yamazaki 12 Year Old Whisky 43%

This 12 year old from Yamazaki first came onto the market in 1984 and was the first seriously marketed Japanese single malt whisky.

I have had a few Yamazaki expressions and I  have mostly treasured them. This 12 year old is the real entry to the core expressions and it did not disappoint. This is a fine, complex dram, very well crafted and absolutely enjoyable. Bottled at 43%abv, burnished gold. On the nose, a lot is going on: blackberry marmalade, heather, sweet figs, prunes, vanilla, earthy peatiness, spent matches, Sherry.

On the palate it was delicious, a little bitter. Prunes, heather, sherry, ashes, rum, nuts. The after taste was nice too: ashy, sulphuric finish; grapes. Hints of smoke and pepper. Overall, I give this dram a 90 over 100. It is a great single malt and you should totally try it.