Suntory Yamazaki 12 Year Old Pure Malt Japanese Whisky (750ml) - 1980s bottling

Bottled as a 750ml in the 1980s and labelled as 'Pure Malt', this is a pre-cursor to the Yamazaki single malt. One only. Some dents and markings to the box as pictured, otherwise very good to excellent condition.

Other reviews... Colour: gold. Nose: drier and more phenolic than the more recent 15yo. Tea, sandalwood, cedar wood, patchouli… Gets maltier after that. Hints of olive oil, waxed paper, fresh almonds. Less sexy, I’d say. No OBE yet on the nose. Mouth: we’re extremely close to the 15yo now, with roughly the same profile. Same rather big dryness. Grassy. Bigger spiciness arising, though (pepper, mustard.) Not an easy whisky. Finish: long, peppery, liquoricy and a little resinous. Comments: very punchy and very, very spicy old Yamazaki. 80 points
- Serge Valentin, whiskyfun.com