Nose: Pretty much a replica of the 2014 limited edition posted below. This one has a little more of the sandalwood and is a tad sweeter with vanilla, fruit tingles added.
Palate: Creamier/richer than the 2014 and I would say the oak is a little better integrated/balanced. Apart from that we still have the raisins, licorice, leather, tobacco, cloves, papaya and brazil nuts.
Finish: As per the 2014 limited with the vanilla added. Maybe a little more bourbon cask in this one.
Last word: Richer(in a good way) and a bit better balances than the 2014.
Rating 87/100
Curious if you’ve tried the 12 year lately, and if so… is this is a big step up in any one area, all-around… or just “different”.
The 2015 seems to still be plentiful in Japan (well, relatively speaking), and is roughly the same price as the 12 year old. I picked one up, but don’t want to carry an open bottle in the suitcase and have yet to see it available for tasting… I have a couple bottles of the 12 year old at home (the last one I got was really quite good), and can get more at home… just trying to find a sensible balance between stockpiling further, and starting to make a dent in the already-built stockpile at the mother-in-laws here in Japan.
Been a couple of years since I had a bottle of the Yama 12 but I remember being very impressed with the balance and complexity with lots of notes/flavors that are intrinsically Japanese or at least in the Yamazaki style of Japanese whisky. I have bought a few bottles of the Distillers Reserve lately and I really think for the money I would take a bottle of this over the Limited Editions 2014/15. I guess I should buy a bottle of the 12YO and try it side by side with the Distillers Reserve.
The thing as I can buy both of these in Australia and not the Limited Editions so if I was in Japan I would pick up another bottle or 2 of the Limited Editions as they are still good whiskies.
Brian
Thanks for the review. I’ve got 1 x 2014 (was saving for a special occasion) and 4 x 2015’s, I haven’t opened them yet, but I guess I’ll start with the 2015 first.
I don’t have such a refined palette compared to many whisky drinkers. Do you think I would be able to tell much difference between the 2014 & 2015?
Not really. I would say that the blenders intentionally have tried to make them similar and were looking for consistency.