Malt Whisky of the Month – October 2010
Yamazaki Single Malt Japanese Whisky, Sherry cask Non-chill Filtered, 48% Alc/vol, 70cl.
For the month of October, we have headed to the Orient for our Malt of the Month.
This dram was aged in first fill Oloroso sherry butts for around 12 to 15 years with a limited release of only 16,000 bottles, and guess what Nicola has just gone and bought a bottle, sure this will go top of our list for a wee tasting.
In 1923, Shinjiro Torii, the founder of Suntory and the father of Japanese Whisky, built Japan’s first Malt Whisky Distillery in the Vale of Yamazaki. Using copper pot stills, the Yamazaki Distillery was the first of its kind outside of Scotland.
The distillery’s location on the outskirts of Japan’s ancient capital of Kyoto offered pure waters, diversity of climate and high humidity – the ideal environment for the maturation of good Whisky.
Today, Suntory Yamazaki is the most popular Single Malt Whisky in Japan and is enjoyed by Whisky connoisseurs the world over. Suntory Yamazaki is currently exported to more than 25 countries, including the United States. Both Suntory Yamazaki 12- and 18- year old Single Malts are aged in casks of three different kinds of oaks: American, Spanish and Japanese. This gives Suntory Whisky its unique quality. Each Malt has a distinct taste.
This dram was a huge success at the World Whisky Awards 2010, winning top prize in its category. This wee dram is quite readily available, certainly online and you should be able to get a bottle at your specialist Whisky shop.
To finish we are looking forward to the tasting of this dark beauty and remember to tell all that the Whisky Boys recommended this wee dram.