Introduction
Whisky is a popular spirit worldwide, and Japanese whisky, in particular, is highly regarded for its quality and depth of flavor. Among them, the brand Yamazaki has gained a lot of love and high praise from whisky fans. In this article, let's delve into the details of Yamazaki Whisky.
The Story of Yamazaki Whisky
"In the hands of the Japanese, we want to create Japanese whisky that the world can be proud of."
It was the year 1923 when Shinjiro Torii, the founder of Suntory, embarked on the construction of the Yamazaki distillery with this grand dream.
This marked the beginning of Japanese whisky history.
However, that first step was extremely challenging. Whisky requires long years of maturation.
Every day, large amounts of barley were brought into the distillery, but only smoke rose from the kiln without yielding anything.
The villagers wondered, "There seems to be a monster called 'Usuke' in that building, which eats barley." It was an unprecedented sight in Japan.
It was a series of trial and error, but finally, in 1929, the first genuine Japanese whisky, "Shirofuda," was released.
However, all the efforts seemed in vain as it was not well received by the Japanese at the time. But Shinjiro's passion did not fade. He continued to make further improvements, and in 1937, "Kakubin" was released.
This became extremely popular and paved the way for the birth of many other renowned whiskies such as "Old" and "Royal," establishing whisky culture in Japan.
Eventually, Shinjiro's second son, Keizo Saji, inherited his father's passion and skills as the second master blender.
"I want to create a single malt whisky that represents Japan," Keizo decided.
In the early 1980s, when Japan was reaching the peak of its economic prosperity, the measure of wealth was shifting from the country to individuals.
During this time, Keizo had a sense that "In an era of diversifying values, single malts with strong individuality would be preferred." And thus, "Yamazaki" was born.
Together with the then-chief blender, Kanji Sato, Keizo blended hundreds of thousands of casks of base malt and conducted continuous tastings.
"What should Japanese single malt whisky be like, different from Scotch?"
Even when they achieved near-perfect aroma and flavor, they continued to debate without compromise.
And so, two years passed in the blink of an eye.
After much anguish and challenge, they arrived at an answer: "Harmony where no single characteristic stands out, but diverse base malts mix and elevate each other."
Finally, on March 14, 1984, in the land of clear mountain streams, Yamazaki, a single malt whisky with a gentle yet profound and definite flavor, was born.
The calligraphy of "Yamazaki" was created by Keizo himself, the creator of this drink.
If you look closely, you will find the character "Kotobuki" (congratulations) hidden in the character "Saki" (cape).
It encapsulates the passionate feelings inherited from "Kotobukiya," the predecessor of Suntory, and the celebration of the birth of Japanese single malt whisky.
Yamazaki Distillery
In 1923, Shinjiro Torii, the founder of Suntory, was determined to create domestically produced whisky, not imports, and started the construction of Japan's first malt whisky distillery in Yamazaki.
Since then, the journey of Yamazaki Distillery has shaped the history of Japanese whisky, giving birth to numerous renowned whiskies, including the single malt whisky Yamazaki.
The beautiful bamboo forest shows different expressions throughout the seasons. Whisky making requires an ideal climate, environment, and natural water. The passion and skills of the craftsmen, passed down through generations, are also essential. Yamazaki Distillery is the oldest malt whisky distillery in Japan and the holy land of world-renowned Japanese whisky.
Product Introduction
Yamazaki
Yamazaki is characterized by its soft and elegant aroma and smooth, sweet taste.
Yamazaki is born from a variety of Yamazaki malts, including the tradition of Mizunara cask maturation and innovative wine cask maturation.
| Color | Amber with a reddish tint |
| Aroma | Strawberry, cherry |
| Taste | Honey, smooth mouthfeel, satisfying sweetness |
| Finish | Sweet vanilla, cinnamon, beautiful and pleasant aftertaste |
Yamazaki 12 Year Old
This is a representative single malt with a delicate, complex, and profound flavor. It continues to captivate people from all over the world with its multiple layers of complex aromas and flavors.
| Color | Amber |
| Aroma | Ripe persimmon, peach, vanilla |
| Taste | Deep sweetness, rich flavor |
| Finish | Sweet vanilla, woody notes, long and deep aftertaste |
Yamazaki 18 Year Old
This is an exquisite whisky with a deep sense of maturity.
Using primarily sherry cask-matured whisky aged for 18 years or more, this full-bodied whisky has been carefully matured. It allows you to experience an overwhelming sense of maturity.
| Color | Reddish amber |
| Aroma | Raisin, apricot, chocolate |
| Taste | Intense sweetness, honey, slight smokiness |
| Finish | Matured fruit aroma, sweet and sourness, long and deep aftertaste |
Yamazaki 25 Year Old
Enjoy the noble woody aroma, complex sweetness, and extended deep finish.
This whisky is made by carefully selecting and blending extremely rare malt whiskies aged for over 25 years, including Mizunara casks, Spanish oak casks, and American oak casks. It is a limited edition with an annual production of only a few thousand bottles.
| Color | Bright reddish copper |
| Aroma | Matured fruit, orange marmalade, agarwood/fragrant wood |
| Taste | Rich sweetness, honey, subtle fragrance, slight bitterness |
| Finish | Sweet and sourness, fragrant wood, spiciness |
