Suntory Yamazaki Distiller’s Reserve

The Yamazaki Distiller's Reserve was introduced as the lower priced alternative to the much awarded Yamazaki 12, while it lacks the depth of it's older brother this is still an exceptional whisky, mellow light and fruity it falls somewhere between a Lowland style single malt and a fruity Speysider. The light hints of coconut come from the use of the far more pourous Japanese oak (mizunara). This oak is far harder to work with and prone to leakage so barrels are crafted from 200 year old trees! Shinji Fukuyo, Suntory Master Blender describes this as his attempt to create maturity without using particularly old stock. We certainly think he's succeeded and the reviews seem to agree