Yamazaki – Story of the Distillery 2024 Edition (70cl, 43%)

This is a limited edition single malt from the Yamazaki Distillery in Japan, released in May 2024 as part of the yearly Yamazaki Limited Edition series. It comes in a 70cl bottle at 43% ABV. The whisky is a vatting of Yamazaki malts, including whisky matured in Mizunara (Japanese oak) and Spanish oak casks, and it has a reddish-amber colour. The label shows the distillery, recently renovated in 2023, printed on traditional Japanese paper, and the bottle follows the shape of a pot still. The nose is dried persimmon and honeyed sweetness with a touch of clove. On the palate there is orange marmalade, earthy red bean and gentle baking spice. The finish is long, with lingering fruit, a hint of smokiness and a peppery close.