The Yamazaki 18 Year Old Single Malt Japanese Whisky (70cl, 43%)

This is The Yamazaki 18 Year Old, a Japanese single malt bottled at 43% ABV in a 70cl bottle. Its colour is deep amber, and it has been described as rich with mature autumn fruit. It won Double Gold at the 2005 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, Gold at the 2007 International Spirits Challenge and Best Japanese Single Malt at the 2015 World Whiskies Awards. The nose brings raisin, apricot, café au lait and Mizunara, the Japanese oak. On the palate come blackberry, strawberry jam and dark chocolate, leading to a long, spicy, smooth finish.