The Yamazaki Distiller's Edition Single Malt Japanese Whisky Review

The House of Suntory is the largest producer of whisky in Japan. It all started with Suntory Yamazaki Distillery, founded in 1923 by Sinjuro Torii, who many consider the godfather of Japanese whisky. Torii’s dream was to offer a unique Japanese whisky that his countrymen could be proud of and enjoy.

 

His first attempt at Japanese whisky was Suntory Shirofudo, released in 1929. It was the first commercially available Japanese whisky and was not well received. In 1937, Suntory Whisky Kakubin hit the market, was a raging success, and is still one of the most popular whiskies sold in Japan.

 

In 1961, Torii was succeeded by Keizo Saji and named Suntory’s second Master Blender. Eleven years later, he established the Chita Distillery and, a year later, Hakushu. In 1989, Suntory Whisky Hibiki was launched, and in 1994, Suntory Single Malt Whisky Hakushu was born. Then, in 2002, Shingo Torii took the reigns as the third Master Blender.

 

The House of Suntory is responsible for other well-respected brands, such as Suntory Whisky Toji and Suntory World Whisky Ao. Its flagship whisky, The Yamazaki, was introduced in 1984.

 

The Yamazaki has four core whiskies: 12 Years Old, 18 Years Old, and 25 Years Old. Then, there is Distiller’s Reserve, the whisky I’m reviewing today. 

 

Pot distilled in Japan from both peated and unpeated 100% malted barley, Distiller’s Reserve is made with water harvested from Japan, and it spent its life aging in Japan in former Bourbon and Oloroso Sherry casks as well as Mizunara oak and former Bordeaux wine casks.

 

Distiller’s Reserve was introduced in 2014 and is still in production. Yet, strangely, it doesn’t appear anywhere on the brand’s website sans its name, whereas the others are broadly featured. While it carries no age statement, some whiskies that spent time in the Sherry casks approached two decades; the youngest at least three years. It is packaged in 750ml bottles at 43% ABV (86°) and can be had for about $90.00.

 

A friend was kind enough to share a pour of this whisky with me and asked that I do a write-up on it. So, let’s #DrinkCurious and learn what we can.

 

Appearance: I poured this whisky into my Glencairn glass and drank it neat. It was the color of dull gold. A jagged, fragile rim produced fast, tightly spaced tears.

 

Nose: Distiller’s Reserve was fragrant with notes of golden raisins, apricots, cherries, flowers, and oak. Inhaling the air into my mouth brought vanilla and strawberries.

 

Palate: The light, oily texture revealed a whisky with fruity flavors up front, including cherries, plums, and apricots. I tasted milk chocolate, peaches, and vanilla at my mid-palate. Black pepper, dry oak, and smoky oak formed the back.

 

Finish: Arid and commanding, the finish lacked fruitiness while spotlighting smoke and spice notes. Old leather and oak overshadowed the black pepper. The duration lasted 1:38, placing it in the medium category.

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: My friend and I disliked the first sip, which we found bitter and medicinal; it didn’t make a great impression. However, the second and subsequent sips greatly improved once the palate shock passed. The bitterness and medicinal qualities morphed into smoky woods, bold fruits, and spicy pepper.

 

I’m unsure what “some” peat includes, but it was a prominent component. I can’t say I’ve had a Japanese whisky with this much impact. I don’t want to give the impression that Distiller’s Reserve is a peat-bomb because it isn’t.

 

Japanese single malt whiskies are, almost as a rule, expensive. The Yamazaki Distiller’s Reserve has a lot of character, and if you take a second sip, you’ll discover that it is worth a pour or two. Still, you’ll want to try this one at a Bar before committing further. Cheers!

 

 

My Simple, Easy-to-Understand Rating System

• Bottle = Buy It
• Bar = Try It
• Bust = Leave It

 

Whiskeyfellow encourages you to enjoy your whiskey as you see fit but begs you to do so responsibly.