Yamazaki Distillery Reserve Single Malt Whisky, 70cl

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Enjoy Yamazaki Whisky Museum at your own pace * No viewing of the production process * No tour conducted by guide staff Established by Shinjiro Torii, founder of Japanese drinks group Suntory, Yamazaki became Japan’s first whisky distillery in 1923. It is located at the foot of Mt. Tenno in the rural town of Yamazaki, in Shimamoto, Osaka, where the Katsura, Uji and Kizu rivers converge. The area is famed for its misty climate and soft waters – so much so that Sen no Rikyu, master of the Japanese tea ceremony, set up his teahouse in Yamazaki. According to Suntory, Torii was inspired by the traditions of Scotch whisky but sought a point of difference by building his distillery in a uniquely Japanese terrain. Photo: Suntory Holdings Suntory Yamazaki Distillery in Osaka to resume facility tour in November 2023 Phone: 1300 366 084 (Monday to Friday 8:30am - 9pm AEST; Saturday 9am - 9pm AEST; Sunday 10am - 8pm AEST)

Yamazaki expanded Suntory’s whisky offering during the 1940s and the 1950s, but the next big change for the distillery came in 1961, when Torii’s son, Keizo Saji, became Suntory’s second president and Yamazaki’s second master blender. He oversaw the build of the Hakushu and Chita distilleries in the 1970s, paving the way for more experimental blends. Until the 1980s, whisky made at Yamazaki was bottled as Suntory blends, but Saji pioneered the distillery’s move into single malt whisky in 1984, with the launch of Suntory Single Malt Whisky Yamazaki. This was followed by Yamazaki 18 Years Old in 1992. According to Motoyama, the 1980s was one of the most important decades in the history of Yamazaki. “We take great pride in our innovative craftsmanship and the large variety of malt whiskies produced at Yamazaki Distillery, a rarity in the world of whiskies,” he says. “One example of our innovative spirit would be the aggressive investments conducted in the late 1980s to allow for greater and more various malt whisky production at Yamazaki Distillery.” Completed in 1989, this development allowed Yamazaki to create a variety of malt whisky styles using multiple stills designs. Suntory’s renowned Yamazaki Distillery has long been a pioneering force in Japanese whisky, but its story has only just begun. The berry and jammy notes are good, there is lots of potential. But this whisky isn’t mature enough. Don’t get me wrong, this is not just common attitude against NAS whiskies. There are lots of good ones out there. This Yamazaki just isn’t good enough. Feels like they should’ve matured it a bit longer.Phone: 1300 300 640 (Monday to Friday 8:30am - 9pm AEST; Saturday 9am - 9pm AEST; Sunday 10am - 8pm AEST) Visit the whisky production area (1) Observe the actual production process and experience for yourself what's important at Yamazaki Distillery. Don't miss seeing the various forms of whisky made at each step of the process!

Inspired by traditional Scottish whisky, Torii envisioned a Japanese approach by choosing a terrain and climate completely different to those of Scotland to create a unique kind of whisky. The Yamazaki Distillery is thus the birthplace of Japanese whisky. Nestled proudly on the periphery of Kyoto, this region was formerly referred to as "Minaseno", where one of the purest waters of Japan originates.

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Despite this focus on NAS single malt, Shinji Fukuyo, chief blender at Suntory, says age is still an “important factor” to determine whisky’s value. But, he adds: “I believe the Distiller’s Reserve showed the value of whisky is not determined only by maturation periods. I hope it opened the consumer’s eyes for new value in whisky. We would like to continue pursuing both the value of ‘ageing time’ and other factors.” Our ume (plum) liqueur aged in toasted antique casks that were used to age whisky at the Yamazaki Distillery. Enjoy the elegant aroma, reminiscent of whisky and pleasant acerbic notes from the toasted casks. The moderate sweetness melds a distinctive flavor with well-rounded tones. At the historic Yamazaki Whisky Museum, which has stood since the inception of the distillery, you can find exhibits showcasing the meticulous process behind the creation of one of the world’s most coveted Japanese whiskies. Keizo Saji pioneers Yamazaki’s move into single malt whisky, releasing Suntory Single Malt Whisky Yamazaki Introducing the flow of the manufacturing process We will explain the flow of the malt whiskey manufacturing process using videos and whiskey ingredients.