Yamazaki 1979 The Cask of Yamazaki 23 Years Old Cask RF1013 56% 1979

Professional reviews

Serge Valentin (91)

Colour: full gold.

Nose: a rather beautiful attack on the nose, compact as often with ‘crafted’ Yamazakis but with very distinct notes of ginger and soft curry added to a rather waxy and oily character (paraffin, linseed oil, olive oil.) With water: it got much more vegetal and grassy, which is a little curious I must say. Whiffs of peat arising. No sweetness/fruitiness.

Mouth (neat): hugely concentrated but not thick, which is quite an achievement. Loads of spices, crystallised oranges, ginger, cardamom and pepper. A lot of wood but it’s great wood, I must say (spices.) With water: rounder of course, and more ‘oriental’ as well. Turkish delights, lychees like we found in other versions, orange squash, mint flavoured tea. Excellent now.

Finish: rather long and a tad more resinous.

Comments: an ultra-dry nose and a rounder and fruitier palate, which is exactly the contrary of what happens with many old Scotch. Two whiskies in one!

BOW (92)