What makes Yamazaki, Yamazaki.

Artisanship through a diversity of making - Celebrating the foundational pillars of Yamazaki Single Malt Japanese Whisky with the Tsukuriwake collection. The 2022 Tsukuriwake collection is composed of four rare and unique expressions; the Puncheon, Peated Malt, Spanish Oak and Mizunara editions, each with a strikingly distinct flavour profile that together make the composition of Yamazaki, the pioneer of Japanese Single Malt.

ABOUT THE DISTILLERY

Yamazaki distillery is a Japanese whisky distillery located in Shimamoto, Osaka Prefecture, Japan.

Opened in 1923, and owned by Suntory, it was Japan's first commercial whisky and malt distillery. Seven thousand bottles of unblended malt whisky are on display in its "Whisky Library". Yamazaki Whisky is Suntory's flagship single malt whisky featuring multi-layered with fruit and Mizunara aromas. From Yamazaki was born the surprising, delicate yet profound experience of a Japanese single malt whisky.

YAMAZAKI TSUKURIWAKE SELECTION

The four whiskies of the Yamazaki Tsukuriwake Selection represent the individual elements that make Yamazaki, Yamazaki. From its rich, fruity Spanish oak core to its aromatic Mizunara spice, the gentle smoky layers to the soft and sweet fruit, this series highlights each of the elements – and the considerable skill – that goes into creating an icon. let’s have a closer look at the four unique expressions from this rare and special release of 2022.

PUNCHEON

The 2022-edition of Yamazaki Puncheon is a complex, spicy Japanese single malt that has been matured in specially-crafted American oak puncheons and bottled as part of the 2022 Yamazaki Cask Series. The palate offers notes of butterscotch, vanilla, oak, ripe fruit and caramel that lingers in the finish.

Colour: Pale gold.
Notes: Ripe persimmon, peach and vanilla.
Palate: Clean, velvety and mild, with caramelised butterscotch notes.
Finish: Sweet vanilla, woodiness, pleasant long finish.
ABV: 48%.

SPANISH OAK

The Yamazaki Spanish oak is a rich and complex Japanese single malt that has been matured in specially-selected Spanish oak casks and bottled for the 2022 Yamazaki Cask Series. The palate offers notes of dried fruit, sun dried tomatoes, buttery pastries and subtle acidity that lingers in the finish.

Colour: Deep, rich amber.
Notes: Dried raisins and prunes, with hints of sundried tomato.
Palate: Rich and decadent with subtle acidity.
Finish: Buttery with lingering acidity and a hint of bitterness.
ABV: 48%.

Mizunara

The Yamazaki Mizunara shows off the elegant spice of Japan’s famous mizunara oak. Yamazaki has used this oak since the distillery first opened, but it was not until after World War II that it began to use locally-grown mizunara in earnest, embracing the distinctive spice and incense-like character this oak provides.

Colour: Pale amber.
Notes: Rich and elegant top note, custard cream and cinnamon.
Palate: Gentle on the tongue, aromatic and round with sweet spiced notes.
Finish: Distinctive deep woody notes reminiscent of Japanese incense.
ABV: 48%.

PEATED

The ‘hidden accent’ element in Yamazaki single malts is the peated malt that provides earthy, rich undercurrents and complex smoky backbone. This whisky has been made with a blend of carefully-selected peated malt that creates the rich and refined smoky character that Yamazaki is known for.

Colour: Golden.
Notes: Subtly smoky with green herbal notes.
Palate: Gently peated with hints of earthiness, pineapple and citrus notes.
Finish: Complex with lingering peatiness.
ABV: 48%.

The colour of the whisky is the result of the natural maturation process inside different wood barrel casks.

The 2022 Cask Series from Yamazaki unveils the individual elements that make Yamazaki whisky, Yamazaki, from the casks that it matures in to the malt that it is made from, as Suntory’s Fifth-Generation Chief Blender Shinji Fukuyo.Yamazaki puts it "Innovation in Japanese Whisky is known to occur at the back end — in maturation or blending — but few understand the diversity of the whisky components that it takes to achieve this depth and gravitas.".

NOBU LAUNCH EVENT

Mr Gumbatron had the pleasure to be invited to the Australian launch of the Tsukuriwake Collection at none other than Nobu Matsuhisa’s restaurant Nobu in Sydney; over looking the spectacular Darling Harbour and Barangaroo precinct. A multi-sensory experience was hosted by Suntory and a complete tasting of the four expressions were enjoyed in the company of the Beam-Suntory’s APAC Brand Manager; Maryke Van Tiel. A special menu from the culinary team at Nobu was a perfect pairing to the different expressions of Yamazaki single malt.

The Tsukuriwake collection initially released in Japan in 2020 is limited release and is available in select markets including United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Austria, Spain, Singapore, Taiwan, China, South Korea, Thailand and Australia. If you are lucky to come across this collection, make sure you consider taking it home, these rare bottles are sure to sell out fast to connoisseurs and collectors alike if not already. Mind you it was just released to the Australian market at the time of this articles release.

Below are the expected retail prices for the Tsukuriwake collection.

Puncheon (750ml) - RRP US$450 / AU$660 / HK$ 3,500
Spanish Oak (750ml) - RRP US$450 / AU$660 / HK$ 3,500
Peated (750ml) - RRP US$450 / AU$660 / HK$ 3,500
Mizunara (750ml) -US$620 / AU$920 / HK$4,900

For more information click here.

Always drink responsibly. This content is not intended to be viewed by persons under 21 years old.

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dress well, drink well. live well

L.M