Land Of The Rising Malt - Yamazaki Cask Collection

Japanese whiskies are incredibly popular the world over, and the Suntory whisky empire is at the forefront of that movement. The Yamazaki distillery is the biggest to come under their banner and is one of the most advanced distilleries in the world. Suntory has the capabilities to make a hundred different types of whisky, and sixty of them are created at Yamazaki. Varied types of distillation within a single distillery are very rare, and the fact that Yamazaki boasts these impressive facilities shows just how seriously they take their whisky.

The idea behind the Yamazaki Cask Collection is for the distillery to showcase the uniqueness of the component whiskies used to create their 12, 18, and 25-year-old single malts. There are four varieties of barrels used in the aging process (Sherry, Bourbon, Puncheon, and Mizunara), and it is the unique flavour of each that is demonstrated through the new collection.

Please read through the synopsis of each whisky and let us know if you would like to buy one by calling 01326 340226 or following the links for each whisky.

Suntory Single Malt Whisky - Yamazaki Bourbon Barrel (48% 70cl)

The casks used here were previously used for holding bourbon, and as such, the American white oak is charred on the inside. When used to age Yamazaki malts, the charred oak imparts an elegant aroma and sweet vanilla flavour. At only 180 litres, these barrels are smaller than the others used in the distillery and are more prone to the effects of the atmosphere, producing whiskies distinctive to the region where they have been aged.

Suntory Single Malt Whisky - Yamazaki Sherry Cask (48% 70cl)

Shinjiro Torii was the first person to produce whisky in Japan, and the fact that it occurred at the Yamazaki distillery certainly gives the whiskies produced here great provenance! This particular whisky is even more reminiscent of those times as it is matured solely in Spanish Oak Sherry casks. The sherry casks are still made in Spain from Spanish Oak but are produced to Suntory's specifications. Oloroso sherry is matured in these casks for three years before the barrels are sent to Japan for the whisky to be introduced and nurtured. The Spanish Oak enriches the whisky with a rich and fruity aroma and the perfect balance between sweet and sour, with a pleasantly bitter lingering finish.

Suntory Single Malt Whisky - Yamazaki Puncheon Cask (48% 70cl)

Since it began making whisky in Japan in 1923, the Yamazaki distillery has taken exceptional care in selecting the right casks to craft its wide variety of single malt whiskies. Among them is the Puncheon, a stout, 480-litre cask that nurtures the new-make spirit as it matures over the years. Inside the oak Puncheon, the area of whisky per litre that comes into contact with the wood is smaller compared with the typical 180-litre Bourbon barrel or 230-litre hogshead, allowing the natural process to proceed slowly. This cask provides the whisky with rich aromas and sweet coconut and vanilla flavours.

Suntory Single Malt Whisky - Yamazaki Mizunara (48% 70cl)

Mizunara is a form of Japanese oak that Suntory was forced to use due to the difficulty of importing materials after the Second World War. The loose grain often led to casks leaking, making coopering and wood selection challenging. However, this decision has paid off, as the soft trappings of aloe wood and sandalwood impart unique characteristics to the whisky. This whisky exudes Oriental incense, cinnamon, coconut, and aloe wood aromas, providing a smooth texture with a rich sweetness and a pleasantly long-lasting finish.