Yamazaki distillery

Introduction to Yamazaki

A distillery with a passion for craftsmanship

Yamazaki is Japan’s oldest and most prestigious whisky distillery, nestled in the verdant hills between Kyoto and Osaka. This pioneering establishment has not only defined Japanese whisky but has also earned global recognition for its exquisite expressions that seamlessly blend Japanese precision with Scottish whisky-making traditions.

Surrounded by bamboo forests and natural springs, Yamazaki’s location was specifically chosen for its exceptional water quality – an element considered sacred in Japanese culture and fundamental to the distillery’s distinctive character.

Why we have a soft spot for Yamazaki

At Vault of Spirits, we treasure distilleries that elevate spirits to an art form, and Yamazaki exemplifies this philosophy perfectly. What sets Yamazaki apart is its meticulous approach to wood management, utilizing mizunara (Japanese oak) alongside traditional American and European oak to create complex flavor profiles found nowhere else in the world.

Their unwavering commitment to quality and innovation has produced whiskies that consistently captivate our palates and imaginations, making them jewels in any serious collection.

The History Behind Yamazaki

Origin and development

Yamazaki was founded in 1923 by Shinjiro Torii, the visionary entrepreneur who established Suntory. Determined to create a whisky that would appeal to the Japanese palate, Torii recruited Masataka Taketsuru, who had studied whisky-making in Scotland, to help build Japan’s first malt whisky distillery.

While Taketsuru later departed to establish his own distillery (Nikka), Yamazaki continued to evolve, surviving challenges including World War II and the lean years when Japanese whisky was virtually unknown outside its homeland. The 21st century has seen Yamazaki rise to international acclaim, with their whiskies collecting prestigious awards and sometimes commanding extraordinary prices at auction.

The people behind

Today, Yamazaki operates under the stewardship of the Suntory group and its master blenders, including the legendary Shinji Fukuyo. These custodians of quality maintain a delicate balance between honoring traditional methods and embracing innovative techniques.

Each expression released bears the hallmark of generations of expertise, with blenders who train for decades to develop the sensory skills required to create consistently exceptional whiskies.

The Craft and Production

From raw material to finished product

Yamazaki’s production begins with carefully selected barley, mostly imported from Scotland. The distillery employs a variety of pot stills of different shapes and sizes – a distinctive feature that allows for the creation of diverse spirit characters within a single distillery.

This variety of distillates gives Yamazaki’s blenders a rich palette of flavors to work with, contributing to the complexity that has become the distillery’s signature. The whisky is twice distilled in copper pot stills, with the cut points precisely controlled to capture only the finest spirit.

Maturation and aging

What truly distinguishes Yamazaki is its approach to maturation. The distillery maintains an impressive variety of cask types, including American oak, Spanish sherry, and the rare Japanese mizunara oak, which imparts distinctive sandalwood and incense notes found only in Japanese whiskies.

The warm, humid Japanese climate accelerates the maturation process, creating whiskies that develop remarkable depth even at relatively young ages. The distillery’s location, with its unique microclimate and pure water source from the mountains, further influences the character of the aging spirit.

Selected Products from Yamazaki

Yamazaki 12 Year Old – An introduction to the house style

This cornerstone expression perfectly encapsulates Yamazaki’s elegant house style. Notes of honey, dried fruit, and Japanese mizunara spice create a harmonious whisky with remarkable balance and finesse. The gentle fruitiness combined with a subtle complexity makes it accessible to newcomers while still offering enough depth to satisfy experienced whisky enthusiasts.

Yamazaki 18 Year Old – An experience for connoisseurs

A more complex and refined expression that showcases the pinnacle of Japanese whisky craftsmanship. Expect rich dried fruits, dark chocolate, and exotic oriental spices with a long, sophisticated finish that evolves in the glass. The velvety texture and incredible depth of flavor demonstrate the patience and skill behind Yamazaki’s exceptional maturation program.

Visit the Distillery

Tours and tastings

Yamazaki offers guided tours that provide fascinating insights into Japanese whisky-making. Visitors can explore the production facilities, including the impressive still house and the atmospheric aging warehouse with its rare mizunara casks. The tasting experience typically includes several expressions that showcase the distillery’s range, from light and fruity to rich and complex profiles.

For whisky enthusiasts visiting Japan, a pilgrimage to Yamazaki represents an unmissable opportunity to connect with the birthplace of Japanese whisky.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Yamazaki?

Yamazaki is Japan’s oldest malt whisky distillery, established in 1923 by Suntory founder Shinjiro Torii. It produces single malt whisky with a focus on exceptional quality, harmony of flavors, and the distinctive character that comes from Japanese oak influence and meticulous blending techniques.

Where is Yamazaki located?

The distillery is located in Yamazaki, a small town in the southern region of Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. Positioned at the foot of Mount Tennozan where the rivers Katsura, Uji, and Kizu converge, the location was chosen specifically for its exceptional water quality and favorable climate for whisky maturation.

What characterizes Yamazaki whisky?

Yamazaki is known for producing elegant, complex whiskies with remarkable balance and precision. The distillery’s expressions often feature distinctive fruit-forward profiles, subtle oriental spices, and a unique incense-like character derived from mizunara oak. Each release demonstrates meticulous attention to detail and the Japanese philosophy of harmony in flavor.

Where can I buy whisky from Yamazaki?

You can find selected bottles from Yamazaki at Vault of Spirits. We carefully curate the best expressions from this legendary distillery, including both core releases and limited editions when available. Due to the high worldwide demand for Japanese whisky, these bottles represent not just exceptional drinking experiences but also valuable additions to any collection.