Yamazaki 1995 15 YO The Owner's Cask

Yamazaki 1995 15 YO The Owner's Cask, 54,9 %

A single cask release, matured in a sherry butt (cask 5J 3020) for 15 years. Distilled in 1995 and bottled in 2010, with a total outturn of 420 bottles. This is a distillery bottling, but it was bottled for legendary French whisky retailer La Maison du Whisky.

This is a whisky we tried blind, and I am very happy to say I managed to guess the country and distillery correct. I was very close on the ABV and in the neighborhood on age.

Nose (24/25): Very rich and full. This is bury-your-nose-in-it-and-forget-the world-for-a-few-hours whisky. Sherry notes - very much so, and as expected. The color of this whisky is near black - a bit intimidating really. Plums, raisins, peaches, cinnamon, cardamom, and wood tannins. Nail polish remover. Quite spicy, and oh so dreamy!

Taste (21/25): Massive oak on the delivery here. Enough wood to build a bridge over troubled waters. Way too much, but do not give up. Fight through it, and you shall be rewarded. Orange zest, sherry notes and dark chocolate.

Finish (23/25): Still quite oaky, but the oak does release its iron grip after a few seconds and the reward is here. Sweeter now, and the richness from the nose arrives. Thank the whisky gods for this! Apricots, plums, exotic spices and dark chocolate.

Balance (22/25): A wonderful and weird ride. I just love Japanese whisky. When they do something they go all in!

Score (90/100)

Huge thanks to Laura and Bjørn for letting us try this whisky.

Sláinte! - Thomas