Suntory Whisky Suntory The Yamazaki 18 Years Old NV 750ml

This is an excellent special-occasion single malt from Suntory. Look for a bold, luscious butterscotch, note, enlivened by touches of stone fruit, lychee, and a faint hint of smoke. The buttery-soft texture and amber color with bright orange-gold highlights add to the luxe experience.

Deep, mature in nature, and very complex. Notes of polished leather, maple syrup, and dark pit fruit, with suggestions of tobacco smoke, wood shavings, and unsweetened chocolate. References to fine old bourbon and ultra-mature pot-still rum provide intrigue. Proof that Japan produces some outstanding, distinctive whiskies. Nicely done!

Perhaps the best kept secret in whisky is the quality and variety of Japanese whiskies. One of the reasons for this is that only one distillery’s whisky is exported to the United States: Suntory Yamazaki. Of the dozens of whiskies they sell, only two are imported here. Fortunately, one of them is Suntory Yamazaki 18 year old. This is a deep, mature whisky, and very complex. It expresses notes of polished leather, maple syrup, and dark pit fruit, with suggestions of tobacco smoke, wood shavings, and unsweetened chocolate. References to fine old bourbon and ultra-matured pot-still rum provide intrigue. This whisky is proof that Japan produces some outstanding, distinctive whiskies. Nicely done!

I find this to be as hearty, rich, and smoky as those from Scotland’s Speyside, but, in part because of that native oak, I find this even more intriguing. The complex 18-year-old tastes of brown butter and wet earth, with a dry, languid finish. Try it with beef or chocolate.