Yamazaki – 25 Year Old (70cl, 43%)

A Japanese single malt from the Yamazaki distillery, bottled by Suntory at 43% in a 70cl bottle. It brings together malt whiskies that matured for at least 25 years in American oak, Spanish oak and Japanese Mizunara oak casks. In 2021 chief blender Shinji Fukuyo recomposed it, giving the Mizunara more influence and balancing it against the other two oaks. Incense and sandalwood from the Mizunara shape its character, with ripe persimmon and ume plum adding fruit and gentle sweetness, and ginger a spicy accent. The nose opens with smoky incense, then ripe persimmon and ume plum. The palate starts with smoky sandalwood, followed by sweet persimmon, tart plum and soft ginger. The long finish keeps the smoky Mizunara note and a delicate wood sweetness.