Manual Tax Collection

The World’s Oldest Yamazaki Release

In early 2020 Suntory announced that it would be releasing a whisky to honor the passage of time, a Yamazaki Single Malt that had been aged for more than 55 years featuring Mizunara cask whisky distilled in 1960 and the White Oak cask whisky distilled in 1961 and 1964.  With only 100 bottles released, the history behind the bottling, and the incredible resulting product, this has to be considered one of, if not the most sought after and collectible bottles of whisk(e)y to ever come to market.

Distilling Expertise Across Three Generations

The Yamazaki 55 includes three main components that span all three generations of Yamazaki master blenders, starting with Suntory founder Shinjiro Torii, considered one of the founding fathers of Japanese whisky. The first, distilled by Torii in 1960, was aged mostly in Mizunara oak casks; the second and third single malts were distilled in 1961 and 1964, respectively, by Suntory’s then-master blender Keizo Saji, and aged in American white oak. The culmination of the release came when the trio of whiskys were selected and blended in 2020 by Shingo Torii, grandson of Shinjiro and Suntory’s current master blender in partnership with Shinji Fukuyo, the 5th generation Chief Blender.

The Imperfections That Make Up Perfection

The Japanese refer to this as Wabisabi and it is truly a testament to blending the perfect whisky crafted more than 55 years ago.  Fukuyo was quoted as saying ‘‘ Very old Scotch Whiskies gave me this impression  of them being perfect Greek sculptures with  beautiful toned beauty. Instantly impressive as a piece of art. But the Yamazaki 55 is more like  an old Buddhist statue. Calm and mysterious.  It takes time to take in its inner beauty with the smell of Japanese incense and stripped old wood,  like the Toshodaiji Temple in Nara. ’’

The journey to create the Yamazaki 55 Year Old is so special that Suntory has said a normal tasting glass isn’t good enough, but that a Burgundy glass be used instead in order to take in the full array of notes that this complex whisky has to offer. The amount of skill required to pull these single malts together in a perfect blend is something that is incredibly unique to the generational expertise that remains at Suntory.  

Artisanal Display and Presentation

Not only are the contents of the bottle absolutely beautiful but the display is stunning as well.  The Yamazaki 55 year comes in its own custom box crafted from Japanese Mizunara wood using a technique called master joining.  The custom box is then finished with lacquer, a quintessential Japanese artistic technique which allows the black surface to shine from deep within and feels soft on the touch.  The bottle itself is a crystal bottle with sand blasted calligraphy featuring gold dust and lacquer.  The bottle also features traditional Japanese crafts such as washi paper on the capsule and a Kyo-kumihimo plaited cord from Kyoto.

Tasting Notes as Described by Suntory

COLOR
Deep amber distinctive of Mizunara casks.

NOSE
A robust aroma redolent of sandal wood.  A sweet, mature bouquet like well-ripened fruit.

PALATE
A soft, smooth first sip that blossoms in the mouth with flavor. 
A mixture of sweet and slightly bitter, followed by a woody note
from the Mizunara cask.

FINISH
Slightly bitter, a fragrance like scented wood and a hint of smokiness.
A sweet, rich, lingering finish.

The ultimate Mother's Day or birthday gift. An inviting and rustic custom handcrafted wooden gift box with a brass nameplate with the engraving "World's Best Mom" that teases the fact that someone special is about to open something equally special. As you open the antique latch, it reveals a felt top that has been covering 2 hand-blown glasses and a bottle of Van Winkle Special Reserve Bourbon Aged 12 Years laying gently and securely in a batch of hypoallergenic antique packing straw. The exterior dimensions of this one of a kind gift box are 14.75″W x 10.75″D x 5.75″H. Because each box is handmade, quantities are limited and please inquire for expedited shipping.

The ultimate Mother's Day or birthday gift. An inviting and rustic custom handcrafted wooden gift box with a brass nameplate with the engraving "World's Best Mom" that teases the fact that someone special is about to open something equally special. As you open the antique latch, it reveals a felt top that has been covering 2 hand-blown glasses and a bottle of Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon Aged 20 Years laying gently and securely in a batch of hypoallergenic antique packing straw. The exterior dimensions of this one of a kind gift box are 14.75″W x 10.75″D x 5.75″H. Because each box is handmade, quantities are limited and delivery is expected in 10 business days.

The ultimate Mother's Day or birthday gift. An inviting and rustic custom handcrafted wooden gift box with a brass nameplate with the engraving "World's Best Mom" that teases the fact that someone special is about to open something equally special. As you open the antique latch, it reveals a felt top that has been covering 2 hand-blown glasses and a bottle of Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon Aged 15 Years laying gently and securely in a batch of hypoallergenic antique packing straw. The exterior dimensions of this one of a kind gift box are 14.75″W x 10.75″D x 5.75″H. Because each box is handmade, quantities are limited and delivery is expected in 10 business days.

A well-curated spirits collection can last forever and should be adequately protected. In partnership with whiskyvault.com.tw we are pleased to be able to offer the best individual solution for whisk(e)y protection and include a few starter kit bottle options.  The whisky vault mini itself  is sized to fit 10-15 standard sized bottles and can be placed on most countertops or standalone bars.  These make the perfect gift for that corner office or home display.

• Dimensions: 58 (W) x 30 (D) x 46 (H) cm

• Weight: 50 kg (110 lb)

• Bulletproof glass: 19 mm

• Individually numbered

• Handcrafted in Taiwan

• Aluminum tri-spoke handle

• Electronic lock

Lead time for the whisky vault mini is 6-8 weeks as these ship from Taiwan.  Price listed includes shipping of the vault and bottles but does not include import duties/fees which typically run about 5% of the cost of the vault itself and tariffs which are unpredictable at this time and can run anywhere from 30% to 100% or more.  Duties/Fees/Tariffs are the responsibilities of the buyer to pay directly with the shipping provider.   Bottles will ship separately from our standard warehouse location in Washington, DC.

 
Bottles included with the variants are specified below:

• Whisky Vault Mini Only - Only includes the whisky vault, no bottles

• Van Winkle Whisky Vault Mini Kit - includes the whisky vault mini and one bottle each from the current van winkle line up including the 23 year, 20 year, 15 year, 12 year, 10 year, and 13 year rye.  Specific vintage requests may incur additional charges.

• Michter's Whisky Vault Mini Kit - includes the whisky vault mini and one bottle each of Michter's 20 year bourbon, Michter's 25 year bourbon, and Michter's celebration.  Specific vintage requests may incur additional charges.

• A.H Hirsch Whisky Vault Mini Kit - includes the whisky vault mini and one bottle each of the AH Hirsch 16 year blue wax, AH Hirsch 20 year red wax, and AH Hirsch 16 year gold foil.
  

*Must be 21

A whiskey glut was happening in America as sales began to decline at the end of the 60s and continued through the 80s and 90s. Distilleries did not slow down production, assuming the glut was only temporary, but as they realized it wasn't, they had to come up with creative ways to move product. Many distilleries partnered with Non Distiller Producers, to bottle their whiskey under a different brand and export it overseas. This is a 20 year rye distilled in the 80s, most likely by Michter's at their location in Pennsylvania at that time, bottled under a different brand and exported to the Japanese market. It's a wonderful expression of aged pennsylvania rye, the same distillate as the Rye Royal 20year, but in a totally different and more rare bottling brand.

This 12 year old bottled in bond (100pf) expression was distilled at the legendary Stitzel-Weller distillery and and Julian “Pappy” Van Winkle himself.  This 4/5 quart size bottle is in impeccable condition and comes complete with a gift box and 2 shot glasses bearing the Old Fitzgerald brand name as well.  The Old Fitzgerald brand was considered a premium bourbon during the age that this was produced and the whiskey inside is considered some of the best and most highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts alike.

National Distillers is one of the most sought after "vintage" producers. Known for it's beautiful flavors of baking spices, fresh cookies and cake. The Bond and Lillard brand has existed since the late 1860s and was added to the portfolio of National Distillers from just after prohibition until the distillery closed, however the brand has recently been revived and is reportedly produced at Wild Turkey. This expression was bottled in the 1960s, carries a 6 year age statement and 90 proof, bottled in an enormous half gallon size container back in the days when you could still buy whiskey by the Gallons at stores.