Home Tasting: Yamazaki 1998-2013 Izumiya 60th Anniversary 'Arima' #CU70065

It was a rich and delicious Yamazaki from Bary Sherry. Yamazaki YAMAZAKI 1998-2013 OB for Izumiy 60th Anniversary 'Arima' #CU70065 60% SHERRY BUTT ・Aroma: Rich sherry, a touch of grape-like fruitiness, raisins, dried fruits, berry jam, caramel sauce, orange with bitter chocolate, black sugar, coffee, slightly earthy, some freshness of herbs, mint, spices like clove, toasty barley, balsamic vinegar, a slight woody feel with some rawness, rich and complex. ・Flavor: Smooth mouthfeel that expands with a rich and stimulating aroma, thick and slightly sticky texture, intense sherry, semidry, concentrated fruity notes like berry jam and raisins with their sweetness, coffee, some new oak-like raw wood or pencil shavings woody notes and the accompanying tannins, bitterness of bitter chocolate, acidity of plum jam, rich, thick body. ・Aftertaste: The intense fruity sweetness and good bitterness of the jam remain for a long time. ・Dilution: The orange-like character becomes stronger but does not break down. ・Overall Evaluation: A recent Suntory sherry cask, but without sulfur or a raw wood feel, rich and complex with depth, a sherry-style malt. [Good/Very Good] This is a single cask Yamazaki 1998-2013 bottled by Izumiya, a sake shop in Kurume, for their 60th anniversary commemoration. I had previously tasted it at Yurakucho and found it delicious, so I purchased it. When it comes to Suntory's sherry casks, they are known for European oak Oloroso sherry casks seasoned in Spain for whisky, similar to Macallan. While they offer a rich sherry character, some have a slightly raw wooden feel that is noticeable. However, this bottle seems to be carefully selected, and it appears to have a lighter touch compared to recent Suntory sherry casks. The maturation period is not particularly long, but the bitterness does not become unpleasant and remains at a level that enhances the flavor. It also gives an impression of being well-packed. Among recent bottlings of Yamazaki sherry casks, I believe this bottle has an excellent finish. In the future, I expect that tannins, raw wood notes, and nuances like semidry will diminish, giving way to more viscosity. Personally, I have high expectations for its deliciousness once it has matured in the bottle. #Yamazaki (YAMAZAKI)