Whisky: Yamazaki 11 Year (2009), Essence of Suntory 2021 "Golden Promise"

Country/Region: Japan

ABV: 53%

Cask: American Oak

Age: 11 Years (Distilled 2009, Bottled 2021)

Nose: Dried citrus, earth, grass, white chocolate, roasted nuts, very woodsy, malty pastries, maple.

Palate: Medium-bodied and lively, with citrusy oils and rind, dried grass, mellow earth, honey, white chocolate, malty pastries; a touch peppery toward the end.

Finish: Medium to long with nutty pastries and sweet citrus

Score: 7 (83)

Mental Image: Scone Platter at an Upscale Tea Shop

Narrative & Notes: Like walking into an upscale tea joint, the aroma was thick with aromatic incense, dried lemon and tangerine citrus, grassy-earthy matcha, and the sweet smell of white chocolate pecan pastries.  More woodsy and pastry aromas drifted in the background with maple, walnut, and dried grass alongside bergamot. Medium-bodied with concentrated citrusy oils and rind against dried grass and mellow earth. The palate kept me firmly seated in the tea bar with rich honey, white chocolate, and maple flavored pastries alongside herbal tea with a citrusy twist and perilla leaf. Aromatic woods with a hint of char and burning incense lingered in the background.  The finish was medium to long with nutty pastries and sweet citrus.

I am so accustomed to tasting Yamazaki, and Suntory’s Japanese distilleries in general, at a lower proof that I was surprised at the punchiness of this release.  The flavors were fully loaded, and even a few drops of water left it feeling more lively than any Yamazaki I have had.

This had a lot of character and I found that the aroma and palate closely mirrored one another, especially the evolution from citrus, to grass, sweet pastries and then back again. I occasionally found the nose a touch muted, but the palate was always rich with a touch of peppery spirit, especially toward the end that tingled on the tongue. Overall, nicely balanced and well-composed.