Suntory Reformulates Yamazaki 25 Year Old

Fifth generation Chief Blender Shinji Fukuyo has returned to the roots of what made Yamazaki quintessentially Yamazaki. Yamazaki Single Malt celebrates the profound spirit of its soul place: deep, complex and multi-layered with fruit and Mizunara notes. For Fukuyo, Yamazaki 25 was a journey in rediscovering what is Yamazaki, the pioneer of Japanese Whisky. Now, Yamazaki 12, Yamazaki 18 and the reformulated Yamazaki 25 all contain carefully blended liquid components aged in American oak, Spanish oak and Japanese Mizunara oak.

“My inspiration for Yamazaki 25 was the Yamazaki 1984 statement that was awarded the ultimate recognition of the Supreme Champion Spirit at the International Spirits Challenge in 2010,” said Shinji Fukuyo. “We went back to the key component whiskies of Yamazaki. We deliberately chose to feature the depth and profound nature of the notable Japanese Mizunara Oak. For in its meticulous balance with the American and Spanish Oak, Yamazaki’s signature multi-layered taste profile and complex aroma is accentuated.” 

Yamazaki means “mountain cape” originating from the two Japanese characters⼭(yama – mountain) and崎(saki – cape), referencing its unique geographic location – surrounded by a range of forest covered mountains. Since 1923, Yamazaki Distillery has been globally acclaimed as Japan’s first and oldest malt distillery. 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 are selected by the nation’s Ministry of Environment as one of Japan’s one hundred best natural mineral waters.

The bottle label is 100% handcrafted mulberry Echizen paper produced via a slow process of drying on wood boards (a traditional Japanese method).

Yamazaki 25 Single Malt Whisky is presented at 43% alcohol by volume (86 proof) with a suggested retail price of $2,000.00 (750ml).