Yamazaki Sherry Cask

A Sherry Cask single malt from Yamazaki, founded by Suntory in 1923 in the misty Shimamoto valley of Osaka Prefecture where three rivers meet, Japan's first malt whisky distillery. The house is known for balance and a layered, fruit forward spirit drawn from many still shapes. This 2011 bottling carries no age statement and is built entirely on Oloroso sherry wood at a generous 48%.

Full Oloroso sherry maturation gives a deep, dried fruit richness. Expect dark chocolate, raisin and fig with a savoury, nutty sherry edge, the soft orchard fruit of the house sitting underneath alongside a touch of fresh oak. At 48% the whisky holds its weight and gentle spice well, the sherry doing the heavy lifting. It closes long and warm in the rounded, balanced style for which Yamazaki is known.