Suntory Yamazaki Distiller's Reserve Single Malt

This is a Japanese single malt from the Yamazaki distillery, released by Suntory in spring 2014. It is matured in Bordeaux wine casks and sherry casks, which bring red berry notes, and it includes whisky aged in Mizunara casks, which adds a subtle, fragrant oak character. On the nose it shows strawberries and dried fruit with floral notes, fragrant sandalwood and perhaps a little coconut. The palate keeps its dried berries, with some raspberry, before light oak, white peach and a touch of spice come through. The finish is a long vanilla, closing on sweet, spicy cinnamon.