Yamazaki 15 yo "Tarudashi Genshu"

"Tarudashi genshu" means "straight from the barrel" and so is roughly similar in meaning to "cask strength". Serge says this one was bought at the distillery but I believe it is available on the Japanese internet (here, here and here, for example).

Review by Nonjatta contributor - Serge Valentin

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

"Yamazaki 15 yo (56%, OB, circa 2004)
Colour: Pale amber.
Nose: Even more wood here, Japanese style. Cinnamon, cigar box, cinnamon… Notes of fresh putty and almonds, leaves, tannins… Then chlorophyll, green tea, bay leaves, juniper… Rather ultra-dry. Hints of rubber bands.
Mouth: Punchy and very expressive, with a good fruits/wood combo. A lot of ginger, white pepper, nutmeg, cloves and mint. Peppered quince pie. Let’s see what happens with a little water (while the nose got woodier and more tannic): it got a little rounder, more ‘polished’, but the resinous notes got even bigger. Finish: long and very tannic/peppery.
Comments: Not unlike the old 12yo in style, only bigger and punchier, with more oak and more mint. A tad too much for my taste but it’s good nevertheless.
SGP:371 – 83 points."(Serge`s scoring system is explained on this page.)