Yamazaki 16 yo 1986/2003

Review by Serge Valentin

Visit Serge`s website, the definitive Whiskyfun.com.

"Yamazaki 16 yo 1986/2003 (45%, OB, sherry wood)
Colour: Full gold.
Nose: Starts more on the waxy and oily notes (linseed) that one can often find in Yamazaki, rather than on sherry. The sherry is quite discreet actually, most probably refill. Notes of olive oil, sawdust… Slowly takes off after a few minutes, getting maltier and nuttier, the sherry being more obvious now. Fig jam and walnut liqueur, with whiffs of incense. Very very nice now, with something Irish.
Mouth: Soft and very fruity attack, once again very Irish (Bushmills). Pineapples, bananas flambéed, honey sauce, papayas… Goes on in the same vein, with a little more oak after a while (soft pepper.) Finish: medium long, very fresh and very fruity.
Comments: One of the fruitiest Japanese we could try. Perfectly composed and highly drinkable. An easy, sexy dram.
SGP:720 – 85 points."(Serge`s scoring system is explained on this page.)