One of the things in this life that I truly enjoy is good single malts. I blame living in the northeast of England for 2 years where Scotland was close at hand. Recently at a local sushi place in South Carolina, the chef introduced me to a Japanese single malt (yes, really - Japanese) called Yamazaki. Now, if you're a peat drinker or addicted to Laphroaig - you won't like it. It is far more of a Speyside type. But I'd put the 12 year against any good 17 year. It is amazing stuff.
Yamazaki 12 Year Single Malt
- Thread starter eptreyg
- Start date
I think I saw this one featured in an article about great Autumn cocktails.
Shake this and apple juice with ice (PREMIUM, hardcore, proper sour apple juice)
Strain into old fashioned (use extra ice if you want, I care not)
Sprinkle a little cinnamon on top and garnish with apple peels or cuts. Works great if you use different colour apples (red, yellow and green).
Sophisticated and colourful drink.
I made a few for me and my girlfriend one evening. She's not big on whiskey at all, but really enjoyed this one. Used Canadian Club though, nothing fancy like this.
Shake this and apple juice with ice (PREMIUM, hardcore, proper sour apple juice)
Strain into old fashioned (use extra ice if you want, I care not)
Sprinkle a little cinnamon on top and garnish with apple peels or cuts. Works great if you use different colour apples (red, yellow and green).
Sophisticated and colourful drink.
I made a few for me and my girlfriend one evening. She's not big on whiskey at all, but really enjoyed this one. Used Canadian Club though, nothing fancy like this.
Yamazaki is nice stuff. I usually have some at home. The 12 is nice, the 18 is divine! If you have a growing interest in Japanese whisky I recommend picking them up.
Yamazaki's fine (pretty refreshing mizuwari-style, actually), my only problem with Japanese whiskies is that the powers-that-be export so few of them to the US! For years, it was just Yamazaki 12, then the 18, and now Hibiki 12 (which is a little on the pricey side for a blend, if you ask me). Why can't we get more than just three drams from Suntory?
Nikka is supposed to be moving in some time in 2011
Big fan here as well.
The 12 is $25 locally. I may have to try that soon.
You lucky dog. I so wish prices in Alabama were more in line with New York and California. I won't even comment on selection. As far as the subject spirit goes, it's on my try list. I hear a lot of good things about it.
Come out and visit. I'm sure you can easily save the price of the ticket in booze purchases.
Come out and visit. I'm sure you can easily save the price of the ticket in booze purchases.
My wife grew up in the San Fernando Valley (and did he whole Valley Girl thing) and also has lots of family on Long Island, so we visit both coasts. Souvenirs for me usually displace 750ml in my carry on luggage.
I hope to make it down your way one of these trips and check out the B&M store.
Some good discussion in this thread:
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=105656&highlight=yamazaki
Took some pics of the distillery too.
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=105656&highlight=yamazaki
Took some pics of the distillery too.
Just had a glass of this with a single ice cube recently. It was excellent! Unique in its flavors, but unquestionably a single malt whisky. Quite an experience, and highly recommended.
Yamazaki's won some major int'l prizes (esp. for its 18, iirc). Not my bag (peat-fiend here), but definitely in the canon at this point. Easy to find here in Seoul, too (unlike, say, Bruichladdich or Ardbeg...). I still have a bottle of the 18 around from years ago. Might should revisit it.
I just cracked opened a bottle of The Yamazaki 12 last night. I found it to have good, if mild, flavors but the real flaw to me is the *very* sharp finish. I'm not ready to write it off but I'm not all that impressed.
Update: Tried it on the rocks with a splash of water last night and it was much better. Makes sense with the mizuwari thing.
Update: Tried it on the rocks with a splash of water last night and it was much better. Makes sense with the mizuwari thing.
Last edited:
I can't remember if it was the Yamazaki, but I've had a couple of Suntory 12yo malts and I found them to be perfectly drinkable, but lacking in depth and yes, possibly a little sharp in the finish. I'm finding that very few drinks have the multi-dimensional character of Scotch, which I find strange. I'm at a loss to explain it.
big fan here, whether the 12 or 18 yr, always a great drink!
Maybe it was the Hibiki. It's not a scotch. It just says Japanese whisk(e)y so I think maybe it's not trying to be another type. I'm certain to try that one in the future.
Haven't tried this, but I've seen it at several stores while browsing. Always been tempted to try the 18.
Both expressions are very nice. My only recommendation is to go into it with an open mind and think about them as uniquely Japanese. If you try it thinking it should taste like scotch that may taint your enjoyment.
