Yamazaki

Yamazaki is Suntory's flagship single malt whisky, from Japan's first and oldest malt distillery. This 12 year old first came onto the market in 1984 and was the first seriously marketed Japanese single malt whisky. Since then, it has acquired something of a cult following, and for good reason! A wonderfully elegant and smooth single malt that’s certainly not lacking in flavour

The Suntory whiskies are handcrafted at Japan's oldest distillery, built by the founder of Suntory--Shinjiro Torii--in 1923. This was named "Best in Class" at the International Wine & Spirits Competition in 2006 and awarded a Double Gold Medal at the 2005 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. This will wow any fan of single malt whisky with its spicy cherry, date, toffee and orange notes and its long, dry finish.

Yamazaki is Suntory's flagship single malt whisky, from Japan's first and oldest malt distillery. This 12 year old first came onto the market in 1984 and was the first seriously marketed Japanese single malt whisky. Since then, it has acquired something of a cult following, and for good reason! A wonderfully elegant and smooth single malt that’s certainly not lacking in flavour

*50ml Miniature*

The Yamazaki Whisky is Suntory's flagship single malt whisky, from Japan’s first and oldest malt distillery. With a range of options from Yamazaki Distiller’s Reserve to 12, 18, and 25 years old, all of these prized whiskies contain carefully blended components aged in American, Spanish, and Japanese Mizunara oak.

The Yamazaki Spanish Oak Distillery Exclusive - 180mL

Crafted at Japan’s oldest distillery, Yamazaki is the pioneer of single malt Japanese whisky. A defining element of its character is Mizunara, the rare Japanese oak known for its complexity. Essential to Yamazaki’s core expressions, Mizunara casks shape the whisky’s multi-layered profile with notes of sandalwood, coconut and incense. Though difficult to work with, this mystical wood rewards patience and skill. After more than 18 years of maturation, the true essence of Mizunara is revealed in a whisky that is rich, deep and unmistakably Yamazaki.

El Tesoro Mundial Limited Edition Añejo (Yamazaki Finished)

100th Anniversary Limited Edition. This Yamazaki Mizunara Single Malt is comprised of meticulously selected malt whiskies all aged for a minimum of 18 years in solely Mizunara casks, created in honor of Suntory Whisky's centenary. The result showcases the rare, distinctive beauty of Mizunara oak, which is considered the signature “enhancer” of Yamazaki, providing unique Japanese character and elegance. We invite you to experience this distinct and elegant single malt whisky.

Of the casks aging quietly in Suntory's cellars, Mizunara casks are the most rare, numbering only a few among thousands. Those whiskies aged for over 18 years within these legendary casks are all the more precious. Our blenders have carefully selected only the finest whiskies from this prized collection, and through their unparalleled craftsmanship have created the Yamazaki Mizunara. Please enjoy its complex, Uniquely Japanese profile, and long-lingering finish.

Suntory Yamazaki Pure Malt 1985 (700ml)
*Please note minor tearing to label and minor wear to carton*

Taste the legendary precursor to modern-day Yamazaki offerings.

VinePair calls Suntory Pure Malt, "The Most Important Japanese Whisky You’ve (Probably) Never Heard Of"

The Yamazaki 2022 Single Malt Limited Collection

700ml bottlings of:

Spanish Oak

Puncheon

Peated Malt

Mizunara 

Unveil the richness of Yamazaki Golden Promise Single Malt Japanese Whisky 2024 Edition, a limited-release whisky that embodies the essence of Japanese craftsmanship. Crafted from the finest Golden Promise barley, this exclusive offering from the House of Suntory celebrates tradition and innovation. Originally cultivated for Scotch whisky in the 1960s, Golden Promise barley has become a prized grain known for its distinctive qualities, serving as a foundational element in Yamazaki's flagship expressions.

This whisky undergoes meticulous distillation and maturation in American oak barrels, resulting in a malty and luxuriously rich character. Its radiant Barley Gold appearance hints at the opulent flavors within. On the nose, expect aromas of ripe orchard fruits, sweet malt, delicate vanilla, and a hint of honey. The palate unfolds with indulgent notes of orange marmalade, creamy vanilla pudding, toffee, and dried apricots, complemented by subtle oak and spice. The finish lingers with sweet citrus and a touch of smokiness, showcasing its quality and depth.

Bottled at a robust 48% ABV, this 2024 release is a true celebration of craftsmanship, blending Scottish barley heritage with Japanese whisky mastery. 

Founded in 1923 by Shinjiro Torii, Yamazaki is Japan's first bona fide whisky distillery. Sitting in between Osaka and Kyoto - served by the converging rivers of Katsura, Uji, and Kizu - the stills are varied in shape, size, lyne arm position and some are direct-fired while others are steam-heated. All of which allows for a creation of many different styles of spirit destined for blending as well as bottling as single malt.

An older expression of the excellent Yamazaki whisky. Fully matured in sherry casks for 25 years.

Age: 25 Years Old

43% ABV

700ml

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.