Suntory Yamazaki 12

[nickynick]

Last night my friend and I finished off a wonderful meal of sushi with a glass of Suntory Yamazaki 12 year old.

It has been a long time since I have had this pour. I don't remember this much smoke, which is not a bad thing. In fact I thought that it was almost the perfect amount. I thought that it showed pretty good balance.

I rarely drink single malts these days(When I started drinking whisk(e)y it was scotch) but this seemed to be a nice change of pace. I didn't appreciate smoke in whisky until I switched to bourbon. I have never had a peat monster like Ardberg, but I have been meaning to try it. But I love Highland Park 12, which Yamazaki is not like at all. Its not as sweet and has a little more smoke then the HP 12.

So I have two questions.

If suntory is the largest distillery in the world why is it that only the Yamazaki 12 and 18 are the only Japanese whiskys that are found in the US?

Second my friend is going to Japan in a month, so what do I want?(Beside WT 8 & 12, EW 12, and MM Black) Super Nikka? Nikka Black? Suntory Royal?

[AVB]

I know Nikka is available in the US but not widely distributed.

You might want to look for some Togouchi 18 while there. It is a blend but I thought quite good.

[Hedmans Brorsa]

If suntory is the largest distillery in the world why is it that only the Yamazaki 12 and 18 are the only Japanese whiskys that are found in the US?

Suntory is not a distillery. It is a company owning many distilleries. But I see what you mean. I think there´s been a hefty prejudice against Japanese whisky which (I think) is finally beginning to erode.

At least here in Europe things are getting slowly better (with the emphasis on slowly). This year I´ve managed to lay my hands on bottles from two rather obscure distilleries: Hanyu and Karuizawa.

Second my friend is going to Japan in a month, so what do I want?(Beside WT 8 & 12, EW 12, and MM Black) Super Nikka? Nikka Black? Suntory Royal?

I have never tried the Togouchi but our friend, the future illuminati, usually knows his stuff. If I were to throw in an advice, I would go for Yoichi. I have tried the 10, 12 and 15yo expressions. They´re all very good but if forced to choose, I would pick the 10yo. Marginally above average peat with candied apples. A delight and also an own voice in the whisky world.

[jcusey]

Second my friend is going to Japan in a month, so what do I want?(Beside WT 8 & 12, EW 12, and MM Black) Super Nikka? Nikka Black? Suntory Royal?

Were it me, I would be looking for bottlings from Hakushu, Suntory's other malt distillery, and from Nikka's Yoichi distillery, and for expressions of Suntory's Hibiki blend.