Yamazaki 18

Yamazaki 18

obtained via bottle swap with Bobby Childs

Continuing my taste through some sample bottles, the result of a swap between me and Bobby Childs of Adventures in Whiskey. I can't find Yamazaki 12 anywhere, let alone 18, so I'm pumped to try this one.

Color: medium/dark brown, slight orange tint

Smell: this smells wonderful. The first thing that hit me was chocolate fudge. There is plenty of barrel influence in the form of caramel and toasted oak, all layered on top of a delicately floral nose. Can definitely pick out some fruitiness (raisins/plums) as well.

Taste: very delicate. Restrained sweetness on entry (caramel, fudge), and then the fruitiness builds on the midpalate (raisins). The finish finally brings in some balancing oak influence, and the finish is medium/long with chewy tannins and a lasting dried fruit sweetness.

Overall: this is very enjoyable and delicious, and I'm grateful to have been lucky enough to try it. For me it's a solid "A-," held back ever-so-slightly for lacking profound depth of flavors. It's very well-balanced, but this isn't a whisky that leaves a long-lasting impression. I think it's probably a slight victim of its own hype at this point. If you're going to shell out hundreds of dollars on a bottle, my opinion is you should look elsewhere. But in an alternate whisk(e)y universe of wide availability and reasonable prices, I'd recommend this in a heartbeat!

Hibiki 12 Year

Hibiki
12 Year
obtained via bottle swap w/ Bobby Childs

This is the first of about a dozen posts rolling out in the next few weeks...the long-delayed results of a bottle swap from several months ago between Bobby (of Adventures in Whiskey) and me!

Color: very pale gold

Smell: you'll often see "orchard fruit" as a tasting note, and this glass smells like you just mashed your finger into a succulent pear. Complementing this fresh, sweet fruit note is a hint of charred wood.

Taste: honeyed pear slices on entry. The midpalate brings in a pleasant kiss of smoke and then a wave of sherry flavors - sun dried raisins and toasted nuts most prominently. The finish is medium-length and driven more by this spiciness/chewiness than it is by the initial sweetness.

Overall: I like this a lot...very solid B+/A- for me. While it's not a profound whisky, it does have good depth of flavors. I find it interesting that the sherry influence stays out of the nose for the most part, and then sneaks up in the midpalate and finish. Well balanced and smooth-sipping, this would be in my regular rotation if it was readily available at around $50. So, it's not... :(

Bobby's take is here.

Nikka Whisky From the Barrel

Nikka
Whiskey From the Barrel
51.4% ABV (102.8 proof)
paid about $40 at Iceland airport duty-free

Color: light chestnut brown

Smell: bright and vibrant - the first thing that came to my mind was "Irish whisky." There are some biscuit-like cereal notes, but there's a bit more fruity sweetness than Jameson and the like. I'm not sure if it's finished in sherry casks, but it smells like it - raisins and toasted nuts definitely come forth once it's settled a bit in the glass.

Taste: much Scotch-ier than the relatively mild nose, with a strong malt backbone that lingers through the finish. Vanilla and cereal sweetness on entry (left-over Honey Nut Cherrios milk), and then the toasted nutty and sweet raisiny peat flavors take over on the midpalate into the medium finish.

Overall: I'm a big fan of this...it's really well balanced and smooth, and the finish in particular is powerful and lasting. "A-" for me, and definitely recommended if you get a chance to snag a glass or a bottle.