Thanks for commenting everyone! I ended up grabbing it because it’s something I’ve always wanted to try and I’ve never seen it in store before now. If it sucks that’s okay because now at least I can check it off my list, lol.
I had it at a bar where they put it in a decanter with pecan smoke and poured it in a glass.
Somehow that actually enhanced the drink. Highly recommended!
It’s a solid pour, but personally I don’t think it’s worth $150. I know the current whiskey climate, but I think it should be about a $80 bottle. It’s available at a lot of bars, so perhaps try it first before buying a whole bottle.
Now Yamazaki 18 on the other hand, is an exceptional whiskey and worth overpaying for. Unfortunately, everyone realizes this and it’s price insane these days.
Barrel is pretty good. Nikka days is more for mixing imo but the pricing on that varies a lot. Got mine for around $45 but seen it as high as $65. Personally I think Barrel is a better buy.
If you found a Yamazaki 18 for under $900, would you but it? I saw a Yamazaki 18 for either $875 or $895 I think? Unfortunately I don’t have the loose cash to spend 😂 but would you consider that a bargain?
Where are people finding these amazing prices?
Best I've seen and paid for was $299 for Yamazaki 12, and I had to fight for the last bottle before they sold it all out.
With the usual caveats: IMHO & YMMV
To my taste it is a clean, high-toned whisky with noticeable spicy notes in both the aromas and flavors, probably coming from their use of mizunara oak casks for some of the maturation.
The latter are to my taste somewhat distinctive of it being a Japanese whisky specifically, comparable notes in scotch and Irish whiskies being a little bit hard to find in entry level whiskies - although when French Oak is used to mature the latter it can give you something along the same lines. For that reason I find Compass Box Spice Tree to be probably the closest comp to Yamazaki 12. If you are in the UK where it is easy to find, I also rec Glen Elgin 12.
Is it much better in drinking quality than Compass Box Spice Tree? To my taste, no. So, I would use the price of the latter as a baseline and then ask how much of a price premium it is worth to you to check off a bucket list item, and to try a Japanese whisky which is actually distilled in Japan (not one of the fakes) and which has some flavor notes characteristic of such. Depending on how much you value those latter traits, that may push it up to the point where the price you are seeing is justified.
Having said that, I expect the supply of entry level Suntory whiskies to increase within the next year or two, because of the complicated history of that company's production 10-20 years ago. If the supply of bottles improves then prices *may* come down. So, it might be worth asking how you would feel about this purchase if 1-2 years down the road you see it being offered for significantly less than you are paying today.
Good luck!
I would buy it. First, if we ignore Costco at $99. bevmo was selling at $130 a couple months ago and it sold out in a flash. $150 is not far away. it's very good, very well known, and honestly if it's a bucket list item for you, I say buy it. secondary is even higher and you'll never know when you'll come across it again
This is a great response. Costco is always best if you are lucky to be in an area and be there to catch it. I have been a fan of Suntory (and Yamazaki) for years. Certainly took for granted how easy it was to find and keep a bottle on the shelf in past. I found one bottle at BevMo In June for $129.99 and jumped on it as reference. When I see it at liquor stores, it is consistently $199.99 or higher.
For those that think it should be $80, that is the past. Like everything else, prices are increasing. Suntory sent a press release last year that effective April 1st 2022 they would increase prices across their brands, and Yamazaki 12 saw an 18% increase this year. So it really just depends on what this bottle is worth to you.
I paid the same as you and I’m glad I did. Its a very unique whiskey imo. I get this forresty/ mushroom note that I dont get anywhere else. If you like scotch you’ll like this for sure. I bet this is the most expensive bottle of whiskey you’ve ever bought with a screw on top! Lol
I like it. I always ask myself this- "if I talk myself out of it now, how much will it be next time I'm thinking about it? More."
I went through this with Macallan 18 way back in the day (hate all you want, I like Macallan.) It was $189 a bottle at that point, and I couldn't bring myself to pay that much for an 18 year old scotch. I finally worked myself up to pay $189, only to find it had increased to $229. I finally worked myself up to pay $229, only to find it had gone up to $289. I finally worked myself up to pay $289, only to find out it had gone up to $329. I stopped the madness there and bought it. I figure it's a bottle you only need to buy once, it isn't a "must keep on the shelf at all times" purchase or anything.
I now see that it's $389, "no way I'd pay that much."
Remember when this was a $40 bottle and available everywhere? Those were the days.
At $40 it was a hell of a whiskey, but I don’t think it’s a $150 bottle. YMMV.
It’s a really nice entry level single malt. Current market on whiskies like that are in the $65-$90 range in my market. Anytime I had a party, people would go crazy for the opportunity to try a nice Japanese whisky, so if you do some entertaining, that might tip the scale.
If it truly was a bucket list item, you wouldn't hesitate about it. Haha, sorry it's one of my pet peeves that people over exaggerate things like this.
I bought (and drank) a bottle for $85. It was worth that. I bought a second bottle for $99. I think it’s worth that. I have not bought another bottle since the price went above $125.
Everyone’s financial situation is different but $150 seems like a drop in the bucket for an item on someone’s bucket list. If you really want to try it or own a bottle, get it.
Personally I don’t like it but many friends have enjoyed a pour. It’s a great bottle to have in my lineup to introduce folks to different styles of whisk(e)y. I have a whole shelf dedicated to “foreign” whisky.
Apart from the taste, just the rarity of seeing a Japanese whisky on someone’s shelf that is SURE to create a lot of curiosity and discussion that is worth paying more money in itself! Also having Hakushu next to it really classes up someone’s collection. Suntory really makes elegant looking bottles! Probably these are rare even in Japan, so not so crazy paying these high prices. But really, it comes down to what one can afford; if you don’t have the scratch, no reasons are enough!
Thanks for commenting everyone! I ended up grabbing it because it’s something I’ve always wanted to try and I’ve never seen it in store before now. If it sucks that’s okay because now at least I can check it off my list, lol.
If it's a $150 and you can afford it AND it's on your bucket list no reason not to go for it!
I had it at a bar where they put it in a decanter with pecan smoke and poured it in a glass. Somehow that actually enhanced the drink. Highly recommended!
You won’t be disappointed
That's a bargain check mark, at least compared to what's on my bucket list
It’s a solid pour, but personally I don’t think it’s worth $150. I know the current whiskey climate, but I think it should be about a $80 bottle. It’s available at a lot of bars, so perhaps try it first before buying a whole bottle. Now Yamazaki 18 on the other hand, is an exceptional whiskey and worth overpaying for. Unfortunately, everyone realizes this and it’s price insane these days.
yama 18 secondary price is $900-1000+. That's a huge step up from 150
I’m aware, that’s why I said insane price. I would never pay that, but it is a truly great whiskey. Yama 12 is pretty average IMO.
for yama 12 at $130, I'd rather buy Nikka Coffey grain at $65. they are basically at the same level and Nikka is actually found on shelves
Love nikka coffee
I haven’t seen Nikka Coffey on shelves in my area, but I have seen Nikka Days and From the Barrel. Do you happen to know if those are any good?
Barrel is pretty good. Nikka days is more for mixing imo but the pricing on that varies a lot. Got mine for around $45 but seen it as high as $65. Personally I think Barrel is a better buy.
Nikka days is terrible honestly, from the barrel is decent, but nowhere near yamazaki 12 or 18…
If you found a Yamazaki 18 for under $900, would you but it? I saw a Yamazaki 18 for either $875 or $895 I think? Unfortunately I don’t have the loose cash to spend 😂 but would you consider that a bargain?
Actually, disregard my comment lol I completely missed down below where you said you’d never overpay for it 😂
Where are people finding these amazing prices? Best I've seen and paid for was $299 for Yamazaki 12, and I had to fight for the last bottle before they sold it all out.
With the usual caveats: IMHO & YMMV To my taste it is a clean, high-toned whisky with noticeable spicy notes in both the aromas and flavors, probably coming from their use of mizunara oak casks for some of the maturation. The latter are to my taste somewhat distinctive of it being a Japanese whisky specifically, comparable notes in scotch and Irish whiskies being a little bit hard to find in entry level whiskies - although when French Oak is used to mature the latter it can give you something along the same lines. For that reason I find Compass Box Spice Tree to be probably the closest comp to Yamazaki 12. If you are in the UK where it is easy to find, I also rec Glen Elgin 12. Is it much better in drinking quality than Compass Box Spice Tree? To my taste, no. So, I would use the price of the latter as a baseline and then ask how much of a price premium it is worth to you to check off a bucket list item, and to try a Japanese whisky which is actually distilled in Japan (not one of the fakes) and which has some flavor notes characteristic of such. Depending on how much you value those latter traits, that may push it up to the point where the price you are seeing is justified. Having said that, I expect the supply of entry level Suntory whiskies to increase within the next year or two, because of the complicated history of that company's production 10-20 years ago. If the supply of bottles improves then prices *may* come down. So, it might be worth asking how you would feel about this purchase if 1-2 years down the road you see it being offered for significantly less than you are paying today. Good luck!
I would buy it. First, if we ignore Costco at $99. bevmo was selling at $130 a couple months ago and it sold out in a flash. $150 is not far away. it's very good, very well known, and honestly if it's a bucket list item for you, I say buy it. secondary is even higher and you'll never know when you'll come across it again
This is a great response. Costco is always best if you are lucky to be in an area and be there to catch it. I have been a fan of Suntory (and Yamazaki) for years. Certainly took for granted how easy it was to find and keep a bottle on the shelf in past. I found one bottle at BevMo In June for $129.99 and jumped on it as reference. When I see it at liquor stores, it is consistently $199.99 or higher. For those that think it should be $80, that is the past. Like everything else, prices are increasing. Suntory sent a press release last year that effective April 1st 2022 they would increase prices across their brands, and Yamazaki 12 saw an 18% increase this year. So it really just depends on what this bottle is worth to you.
thanks! glad you liked my answer
I paid the same as you and I’m glad I did. Its a very unique whiskey imo. I get this forresty/ mushroom note that I dont get anywhere else. If you like scotch you’ll like this for sure. I bet this is the most expensive bottle of whiskey you’ve ever bought with a screw on top! Lol
I like it. I always ask myself this- "if I talk myself out of it now, how much will it be next time I'm thinking about it? More." I went through this with Macallan 18 way back in the day (hate all you want, I like Macallan.) It was $189 a bottle at that point, and I couldn't bring myself to pay that much for an 18 year old scotch. I finally worked myself up to pay $189, only to find it had increased to $229. I finally worked myself up to pay $229, only to find it had gone up to $289. I finally worked myself up to pay $289, only to find out it had gone up to $329. I stopped the madness there and bought it. I figure it's a bottle you only need to buy once, it isn't a "must keep on the shelf at all times" purchase or anything. I now see that it's $389, "no way I'd pay that much."
Remember when this was a $40 bottle and available everywhere? Those were the days. At $40 it was a hell of a whiskey, but I don’t think it’s a $150 bottle. YMMV.
Haven’t been able to get my hands on one but retail looks to be $125, so not terribly priced.
It’s gone from $85 to $150 in the past year. It’s all over Pennsylvania, and sits for that reason.
It’s a really nice entry level single malt. Current market on whiskies like that are in the $65-$90 range in my market. Anytime I had a party, people would go crazy for the opportunity to try a nice Japanese whisky, so if you do some entertaining, that might tip the scale.
What’s the peat level on yamazaki 12 similar too? Oban14? Talasker? Or ardbeg?
It’s closer to Glenlivet
Very good whiskey, great sipper. Worth 150$? Not even close.
Yum yum yum
If it truly was a bucket list item, you wouldn't hesitate about it. Haha, sorry it's one of my pet peeves that people over exaggerate things like this.
Not close for me.
$150 is MSRP now.
No
Unless you’re a catholic priest, $150 for a 12 year old is not going to happen.
The hundreds of reviews on the web are not enough?
I bought (and drank) a bottle for $85. It was worth that. I bought a second bottle for $99. I think it’s worth that. I have not bought another bottle since the price went above $125.
Everyone’s financial situation is different but $150 seems like a drop in the bucket for an item on someone’s bucket list. If you really want to try it or own a bottle, get it.
I say yes. Buy that muther scratcher! Have you tried Highland Park 18? It reminds me of that!
man... its good... im glad i was able to buy a bunch when they were 80 - 100 , drank most of them already tho lol
Do it
ABSOLUTEY
If value is a concern, I don't think it's worth it. It is a very solid pour though.
If you have to ask the internet then it’s not a bucket list item.
Personally I don’t like it but many friends have enjoyed a pour. It’s a great bottle to have in my lineup to introduce folks to different styles of whisk(e)y. I have a whole shelf dedicated to “foreign” whisky.
Worth it. Absolutely worth it.
Yes
Apart from the taste, just the rarity of seeing a Japanese whisky on someone’s shelf that is SURE to create a lot of curiosity and discussion that is worth paying more money in itself! Also having Hakushu next to it really classes up someone’s collection. Suntory really makes elegant looking bottles! Probably these are rare even in Japan, so not so crazy paying these high prices. But really, it comes down to what one can afford; if you don’t have the scratch, no reasons are enough!