The colour of this Yamazaki 1995 is almost black. It is cask 5J3020 from the Owner’s Cask series. While it sounds as if these are private bottlings, it also includes a lot of shop exclusives. This one was bottled for La Maison du Whisky back in 2010.
Yamazaki ‘The Owner’s Cask’ 1995 (54,9%, OB for La Maison du Whisky 2010, sherry butt #5J 3020, 420 btl.)
Yamazaki ‘The Owner’s Cask’ 1995 (54,9%, OB for La Maison du Whisky 2010, sherry butt #5J 3020, 420 btl.)Nose: almost refortified high-quality Oloroso. Very intense plums and figs. Lots of polished oak, including hints of turpentine and acetate. Polished leather. Walnut liqueur. Some volatile hints of raspberries and yuzu. A toasted note in the very back.
Mouth: rich but quite dry and tannic. There are prunes, dates, raisins in a dark way, with lots of oaky notes and espresso. Dried herbs and cough syrup. Cardamom, liquorice. Cigar juice. A bit over the top maybe, but overall a very good example of this monstrous genre.
Finish: very long, with dark chocolate, coffee, herbs and something of cherries on brandy.
A lovely nose, but really dry on the palate so not for everyone. Big, big whisky and a lovely experience but I could never drink a bottle. Expect to pay at least € 1000 in auctions. Many thanks, Jelle.
Score: 89/100