Yamazaki 12, 43% ABV, acquired in trade.
- Nose: Honey, musty oak, sherry, honey dew, pears, nutmeg, vanilla, and a very slight heathered peat.
- Taste: Fresh citrus, chocolate fudge, vanilla, figs, and this really nice vicious malty note.
- Finish: Medium, very slight peat, fruit, chocolate, and malt notes linger.
- Thoughts: I really like this! I assume its ex-bourbon and sherry cask matured. The balance is right there, it might lean a little heavy on the malt notes, however the malt notes are very nice. You get just a faint heathered peat. Much like what Highland Park delivers. In fact, this reminds me a lot of Highland Park 18. It drinks above its age for sure. I hate how expensive this is cause I could drink it everyday. Ive seen it for around $120 USD. Its worth buying once, but I wish it was priced as an everyday sipper.
- Score: 89 + NA value point(s) = 89/100
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Scores:
After my initial score I add or subtract points relative on how I perceive value (based on what I paid for the bottle). A zero value means I think the price is justified.
0-69.5 – Don’t bother trying, life is too short for bad spirit.
70-79.5 – Worth trying, but you’re not missing out if you don’t.
80-84.5 – I recommend trying.
85-87.5 – Definitely try this!
88-92.5 – I recommend buying a bottle blind!
93-95.5 – Stuff you reserve for special pours!
96+ – The meaning of life.
My previous scores (excluding value points):
Amrut Spectrum 004 87.5
Ardbeg 10 88.0
Ardbeg An Oa 89.0
Ardbeg Corryvrickan 91.5
Ardbeg Kelpie 91.5
Ardbeg Uigeadail 90.0
Balvenie 15 Single Barrel – Sherry 89.0
Blanton’s Gold 86.5
Booker’s (2015-01) 89.5
Bowmore 12 83.5
Bowmore Devil’s Casks 3 87.0
Bruichladdich Octomore 6.1 92.0
Bruichladdich Octomore 6.3 93.0
Bruichladdich Octomore 7.1 90.5
Bruichladdich Octomore 7.3 90.5
Bruichladdich Octomore 8.1 88.0
Bruichladdich Octomore 8.3 91.5
Canadian Club 40 86.5
Caol Ila 12 82.5
Compass Box – Enlightenment 88.0
Compass Box – Peat Monster 84.5
Eagle Rare 10 83.5
Elmer T. Lee 87.0
Glendronach 12 Original 84.0
Glendronach 15 Revival 90.0
Glendroanch 18 Allardice 90.0
Glendronach 21 Parliament 91.0
Glenfarclas 17 88.0
Glenfarclas 25 92.0
Highland Park 15 87.0
Highland Park 25 92.0
Jack Daniel’s SB-BP (16-0574) 89.0
Kavalan Solist – Ex-Bourbon (57.8) 87.5
Kavalan Solist – Ex-Bourbon (KavaFan) 93.0
Kavalan Solist – Port Cask (KavaFan) 92.0
Kavalan Solist – Sherry Cask (58.7%) 90.5
Kavalan Solist – Vinho Barrique (57%) 89.5
Lagavulin 16 90.0
Laphroaig 10 86.0
Laphroaig Cairdeas Madeira 2016 87.5
Lot No. 40 86.0
Lot No. 40 Cask Strength 12yr 89.0
Macallan 12 Double Cask 80.0
Macallan 12 Fine Oak 84.0
Macallan 17 Fine Oak 88.0
Macallan 18 Fine Oak 86.0
Macallan 10 Sherry 85.5
Macallan 12 Sherry 86.5
Macallan 18 Sherry (1997) 92.5
Macallan Cask Strength 58.2% 94.0
Macallan Classsic Cut 2017 85.5
Macallan Edition 2 90.0
Macallan Edition 3 89.0
Orphan Barrel – Barterhouse 88.0
Pappy Van Winkle 23yr 93.5
Sazerac Rye 86.0
Stagg Jr. (Batch 4) 83.0
Talisker 25 89.0
W.L. Weller 12 85.0
William Larue Weller (2017) 91.0
Yamazaki 12 89.0
Toronto Whisky Society 
It’s a nice one, that’s for sure. Demand has pushed Japanese whisky prices higher in the last 5 years as you probably know. It hasn’t stopped me from collecting. If you ever want to swap drams, I can provide you with the Hakushu 12.
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I agree with the price, the Yamazaki 12 and the Hibiki Harmony but are priced way to high for the quality you get. They are solid whiskeys that are worth buying but they are $80-100 at most. I find with the Suntory whiskeys they really don’t start to get good until you hit the 17-18 year stuff, I bought the Yamazaki 18 in Japan back in September and the difference between the 12 and the 18 is night and day. (I also picked up the Hibiki 21 year which is by far their best whiskey and probably the best blend out there).
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