The Yamazaki Whisky

The pioneer of Japanese whisky

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 prestigious whiskies contain carefully blended components aged in American, Spanish, and Japanese Mizunara oak.

From the Birthplace of Japanese Whisky

Yamazaki was born from the surprising, delicate yet profound experience of a Japanese single malt whisky. Multi-layered with fruit and Mizunara aromas, Yamazaki whiskies are complex and deep. Made at Yamazaki Distillery, the birthplace of Japanese whisky, its signature multi-layered taste is highly praised by whisky connoisseurs all over the world.

2022 Yamazaki Limited Edition Tsukuriwake Selection

The Essence of Yamazaki

With the introduction of the 2022 Yamazaki Limited Edition Tsukuriwake Selection, the House of Suntory unveils the foundational pillars of Yamazaki Single Malt Whisky. This collection honors Tsukuriwake, which means “artisanship through a diversity of making” and is composed of four Yamazaki single malts - Puncheon, Peated Malt, Spanish Oak and Mizunara, that together make the composition of Yamazaki, the pioneer of Japanese Single Malt.

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Quintessentially Yamazaki

The House of Suntory honors the birthplace of Japanese whisky, capturing and celebrating the pioneering roots of one of the world’s greatest whiskies from the place Shinjiro Torii chose to begin the illustrious journey of Japanese whisky. Fifth generation Chief Blender Shinji Fukuyo has returned to the roots of what made Yamazaki Single Malt quintessentially Yamazaki: deep, complex and multi-layered with fruit and Mizunara notes.

Employee inspects Yamazaki whisky barrel

The building of Suntory Yamazaki Distillery

The Yamazaki

From the Birthplace of Japanese Whisky

The Yamazaki Distillery is Japan’s first and oldest malt whisky distillery founded in 1923 by Suntory's founder Shinjiro Torii. Yamazaki is not only the soul place of Suntory Whisky but the birthplace of Japanese Whisky. Inspired by traditional Scottish whisky, it is said that Torii selected the land of Yamazaki at the foot of Mt. Tennozan, for its high-quality water source and natural environment ideal for whisky making.

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Made with Exquisite Natural Waters

Nestled proudly on the periphery of Kyoto, the area around Yamazaki Distillery has been long referred to as “Minaseno” famous for its exquisite natural water, even mentioned in the Man'yoshu, the ancient anthology of Japanese poetry. Home to Sen no Rikyu, Master of "The Way of Tea” and his renowned "Rikyu no Mizu" (water of the imperial villa), the waters of Yamazaki were selected by the Ministry of Environment as one of Japan's one hundred best natural mineral waters.

Yamazaki lies in a misty valley between Mt.Tennozan and Mt. Otokoyama, where the Katsura, Uji and Kizu rivers converge. Blessed with Japan’s rich four seasons, the diversity of this region’s temperature and humidity creates ideal conditions for whisky making.

Hands holding a glass of Suntory Yamazaki Whisky

Close up of sticker on Yamazaki Whisky bottle

Designed with Purpose

The solid bottle shape symbolizes the identity of Japanese whisky and its flavor, while top of the bottle echoes the shape of a pot still – a nod to tradition of craftsmanship at the root of our heritage.