2013 Suntory Yamazaki Bourbon Barrel Single Malt Japanese Whisky (700ml)

Shinjiro Torii, the founder of the Suntory company, was a pharmaceutical wholesaler importing liquor from the West before he was inspired to create a uniquely Japanese whisky. In 1923 he built the country's first malt whisky distillery (in fact, the first of its kind outside of Scotland) on a site in the Vale of Yamazaki outside Kyoto where pure water, a diverse climate and high humidity made it an ideal environment for whisky production and maturation. To complete the formula, Torii hired Masataka Taketsuru (of Nikka fame) who had studied the art of distilling in Scotland. In 1929, the company introduced Suntory Shirofuda (Japanese for white label), Japan's first genuine domestically produced whisky. Kakubin (square bottle), a premium Japanese whisky, was born in 1937. The whiskies have become more and more sophisticated over the decades, in particular the older bottlings under the Yamazaki label.

This release, exclusively matured in 180 litre x-Bourbon barrels was filled with whiskies matured in the warehouses of Yamazaki and Oumi regions. Non chill filtered.

Other reviews... Very bright gold. This shows some of the warm tatami/dry grass notes seen in Yamazaki 12 year old, this time overlaid with fruit stones, banana chips, fresh persimmon, and, once it opens, cask-generated aromas of crème brûlée, cinnamon toast, caramelized sugar, and cotton candy. The palate is sweet and lush with plenty of vanilla ice cream, but there’s sufficient acidity to maintain freshness and prevent things from getting too flabby. 89 points
- www.maltadvocate.com (Winter 2012) Reviewed by: Dave Broom