Suntory Yamazaki, 1984 Vintage, 48%, $600
The first vintage Suntory Yamazaki offered in the U.S. (300 bottles will be available in October.) A portion of this whisky is aged in Japanese Oak. Heavy aroma, with lush sherried fruit and deep juicy oak, marrying with firmly dry and spicy oak resin (the Japanese oak influence is obvious). This same profile follows through on the palate: ripe berried fruit, raisin, blackberry jam, plum spiced with cinnamon, vanilla spearmint, roasted nuts and gripping leather. All this, lying on a bed of molasses and toffee. The Japanese Oak really kicks in on its invigoratingly spicy, warm, resinous finish. Very elderly in nature, but remains very exciting and dynamic, even with all the oak.
Advanced Malt Advocate magazine rating: 90
So how does this packaging work, exactly? I saw the price as $600 for 6 bottles, 750ml. Are these 6 125ml bottles in a box totaling 750ml for $600 ? Is the purpose of this to keep things fresher longer? Sharing with friends (an expensive gift)? Just because they can?
Neil, it’s $600 for a 750ml bottle. The 750ml bottles come in cases of six bottles per case. That’s how they’re shipped to the distributor, but they are sold one bottle at a time.
Gotcha. Thanks. Their press release confused me about that bit.
So I guess the real question is, now that you’ve tried it, and as we’re on this big discussion of whisky values, do you think it’s overvalued at $600? I’m rather fond of the Yamazaki 12 and 18, and I could buy quite a few of both of them for $600. Is this ’84 vintage really that much better?
Neil, I gave the 18 year old a 93. That should answer your question.
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i’m kind of confused, is there an age statement for this bottle? initially got the impression that it’s a 25yr old… or is it the 25th anniversary? thanks!