The Yamazaki 12 (더 야마자키 12)

(한국어 시음기 밑에 있어요!)

I previously mentioned in my review of Hibiki 21 that one of my biggest regrets from my Yamazaki distillery tour was not trying the Hakushu 18. I had a time limit due to having to catch the next train back to Osaka (had places to be, whisky to buy, etc!) and there just wasn't enough time for me to enjoy everything they had at the tasting bar. In its place I opted for the Yamazaki 12 instead as you can't go to Japan and not try their most famous whisky, right?

This was, after all, the very first Japanese whisky to ever out-perform Scottish, Irish and American whiskies at international competitions, winning gold at the International Spirits Challenge in 2003, and thus breaking the glass ceiling forever. I dare say if it was not for Yamazaki 12 showing that quality whisky can be produced outside of the "homelands" we might not have many of the new generation of distilleries in Asia. No Ichiros malt, no Akkeshi, and Kavalan would just be a twinkle in the eye of its Taiwanese founder.

You could probably argue that I'm just trying to justify my faux pas of not choosing the Hakushu 18, by overstating the importance of Yamazaki 12 and I might well be, but I still wanted to try it anyway!

Vitals:

ABV: 43%

Colour: Light gold

Chill-filtered: Yes

Nose: Very floral with honeysuckle at the forefront. Apples, freshly sliced asian pears and honey are also quite prominent, with the occasional bready note that could be toast, or could be pancakes. It smells like a breakfast picnic in a flower garden. 20.5/25

Palate: There's a refreshing apple-like tartness with cranberries, bread and melted garlic butter teasing away behind it. It's not particularly complex. Actually, dare I say it... It's simple. I'd go so far as to say that it's extremely smooth once the sour note passes. 19/25

Finish: It then rounds off with a floral medium length finish that has notes of vanilla, chamomile and garden herbs along with a sweetness that slowly fades away as it draws to a close. 18.5/25

Value*: It's still being produced, albeit in small quantities and it definitely is possible to find it n Korea, but you are going to be paying way, way above what a relatively simple floral 12 year old whisky is worth. It's nice, but way over-valued, even in Japan. 6/25

Conclusion:

This whisky has a story to tell you as you sip it. You can picture yourself sitting in a garden, early in the morning of a beautiful summer day, having breakfast pancakes with the love of your life as the aromas of your surroundings intermingle with the sweet honeyed pancakes in front of you. It’s a genuinely good whisky and I can understand its popularity. Yet, despite that, I still don’t think this even holds a candle to the Yamazaki 18, which is in a completely different league altogether. With that said though, I'm not even sure that comparison is valid as they are as different as apples and oranges.

Basic Rating: 77.3%

Price Adjusted Rating*: 64%

Daily Drinker: Eh, 10 years ago? Definitely. Now? LOL no.

Possible pairing: Sponge cake, scones with cream and jam.

Where to find in Korea: Namdaemun (남대문), Jura Shop (주라숍).

TLDR Version:

N: Floral, honeysuckle, green apples, asian pear, honey, butter, toast and pancakes. Breakfast in a flower garden.

P: sour apple, cranberries, bread, garlic butter. Simple and smooth.

F: Very floral with Vanilla, chamomile and herbs. Medium length.

V: Overpriced, even in Japan.

C: Good whisky, but lacks the complexity and nuances of older Yamazakis.

더 야마자키 12 (한국어):

N: 꽃향, 인동덩굴, 풋사과, 배, 꿀, 버터, 토스트, 핫케이크. 꽃밭에서 아침을 먹는 것 같아요.

P: 신 사과, 크랜베리, 빵, 마늘 버터. 부드럽고 마시기 쉬워요.

F: 꽃향이 매우 진해요. 바닐라, 카모마일, 허브. 피니시 길이는 중간이예요.

V: 한국에서 너무 비싸요. 일본에서도 너무 비싸요.

C: 좋지만 다른 야마자키 위스키에 비해서 너무 단조로워요.

Buy / Mooch / Pass: Pass

Review by Glasgowhisky

2020/02/20