Suntory Yamazaki 12/18

[milosz]

I've had the urge to pick up a Japanese whisky lately - a couple of local stores carry the 12-year Yamazaki for ~$35, haven't located the 18 yet.

Go ahead and throw down with the young'un, or hold out for the barely legal stuff? Ordering online probably isn't an option - I'm never at home or in the office during delivery times.

 

[cbird]

Save your money - the 12 is much better than the 18. The 12 is very smooth and slightly sweet, the 18 is a little harsh.

 

[Roikins]

Originally Posted by cbird

Save your money - the 12 is much better than the 18. The 12 is very smooth and slightly sweet, the 18 is a little harsh.
+1. I bought a 12 and 18 from a Duty Free shop when I was coming back from Japan and brought them along to a small Christmas party last year. A few of us had a bit of an impromptu tasting and everyone said the 12 was much better and smoother, while the 18 had some bite to it. By the end of the night, the 12 was gone and half the 18 was still left.

 

[NichLupot]

Originally Posted by Roikins

+1. I bought a 12 and 18 from a Duty Free shop when I was coming back from Japan and brought them along to a small Christmas party last year. A few of us had a bit of an impromptu tasting and everyone said the 12 was much better and smoother, while the 18 had some bite to it. By the end of the night, the 12 was gone and half the 18 was still left.

Yea, the 12 is actually decent.

 

[Tarmac]

I had a bottle of 12 for over 3 years. Does it make it 15?

 

[Flambeur]

Originally Posted by Tarmac

I had a bottle of 12 for over 3 years. Does it make it 15?

Yes, go to their website, you can order a new label....

 

[Alter]

Originally Posted by milosz

I've had the urge to pick up a Japanese whisky lately - a couple of local stores carry the 12-year Yamazaki for ~$35, haven't located the 18 yet.

I agree that the 12 is better value. The 10 year is very drinkable as well.

I am surprised by the price, that is a lot cheaper than what you would pay in Japan.

 

[Spatlese]

iGents - I have actually not yet tried Japanese whiskey. Would the 12 be a good intro bottle into this world?

 

[Flambeur]

Hmm I wanted to try this, guess I'm gonna get a 12yr next.

 

[Alter]

Originally Posted by Spatlese

iGents - I have actually not yet tried Japanese whiskey. Would the 12 be a good intro bottle into this world?

Yes, I think Yamazaki 12 is the perfect entry point. The two major makers are Suntory and Nikka and Suntory is the better of the two in my opinion.

 

[Flambeur]

Picked up a 12 year today.. It's going to be my second *** bottle, but I don't remember what the first one was (friends)

Should be interesting - I'll post a review...

 

[Alter]

Enjoy it! It is smooth..even smoother than a Speyside. I prefer it on the rocks.

 

[Flambeur]

Definitely very smooth, very drinkable.. Not as sweet as the other *** stuff I've had, which is good.

 

[Spatlese]

Ok, it's now definitely on my to-buy list. I'll just go pour myself a Macallan to get in the mood....

 

[cbird]

The Yamazaki 12 is a truly great whisky (and a great value, too). There are several other fine Japanese whiskies, but according to the store where I got the Yamazaki, nothing is imported into the US besides the Yamazaki 12 and 18 (strange, especially since Japan is the world's second greatest producer of whiskies). Outside of going to Japan, London is a good place to try them. There is an excellent Japanese restaurant on St. James's (maybe on the corner of St. James's and Jermyn - I forget) where they offer a good selection of several fine Japanese whiskies, mostly single malts. Royal Mile Whiskies (they have a website) also stocks several and occasionally has tastings. "Nonjatta" is a great blog site about Japanese whiskies.