Whisky Review: SMWS 119.14 山崎　Yamazaki “Raspberry imperial stout”

Style: Sherry and Sweet

Nose:
Intoxicating aroma of raspberry-strawberry cake on the nose. Strawberry pop tart gunned down by white pepper and wood spice. Forest berries jam gradually opens up to more sherry goodness. Dig deeper we have dunnage duskiness, strawberries in the field, beetroot with a herbal touch.

Palate:
Strawberry malt cake swooping in while a spectrum of red fruits displaying on the palate. Cherry-coffee jelly, massive dark chocolate, soy, black liquorice, forest berries, sultanas rolling lazily with a lot of juiciness. White wood spice instilling a unique freshness within. Black pepper shooting through, brown sugar melting on toasted almond. Ticking all the boxes for a young sherry cask. Copper and herbal overtone combines with the spices hitting a high note at the back. Spearmint finish.

Finish:
Assorted sherry notes staying on, fragrant berries jam, liquorice, red fruits and earthy spices. Sweet and Calm.

Thoughts:
This baby is matured in first fill Bota Corta Spanish oak Sherry cask for 11 years, it is young, but it has everything you can dream of for a sherry bomb. I remember someone labelling this a one-dimensional dram when we first tasted this a couple of years ago. Well, to be fair it is heavily sherried so that’s the theme, but there is more to it. Also, what’s is wrong with that when it is soooo deliciously made? Jammy, extravagant red fruits, lip-smacking malt. One of the best Japanese whiskies in my book.

☆☆ [Highly Recommended]

[53.9% • 2014 Bottled • 2003 Distilled • Independent Bottling • Single Cask • Cask Strength • Non Coloured • Non Chill Filtered • 538 Bottles • Aged 11 Years • Matured in first-fill Bota Corta Sherry Cask • **+]

-Esmond