Yamazaki Distillery’s Variety of unblended whisky.
The Yamazaki Distillery produces an unparalleled variety of undiluted spiritsin the fermentation, distillation, and aging processes. Particularly in the maturing process, barrels of various types, materials and sizes play an important role in the characterization of the unblended whisky.
In order to fully enjoy the characteristics of these different types of raw materials, we use the following methods The five types of single malt whisky “Yamazaki” 2020 EDITION. The climate and craftsmanship of Yamazaki have nurtured We hope you will enjoy the unique flavors of each. (From the manufacturer’s website)
1. Manufacturer
Suntory Spirits Co.
| Establishment | Established in 1899 |
| Head office location | 2-3-3 Daiba, Minato-ku, Tokyo 135-8631, Japan |
| Owned distillery | ●Japan Yamazaki Distillery, Hakushu Distillery, Chita Distillery ●Scotland Ardmore distillery, Glengilly distillery, Auchentoshan distillery, Bowmore distillery, Laphroig distillery ●Ireland Cooley distillery, Kilbeggan distillery ●United States Jim Beam distillery, Maker’s Mark distillery ●Canada Hiram Walker Distillery, Alberta Distillery |
2. Distilleries
Suntory Yamazaki Distillery
| Location | 5-2-1 Yamazaki, Shimamoto-cho, Mishima-gun, Osaka 618-0001, Japan |
| Start of operation | 1923 |
The Yamazaki Distillery was established in 1923 as the first malt whisky distillery in Japan. It was a time when whisky was still a rare drink for the general public. ” I want to make a Japanese whisky that suits the delicate taste of the Japanese people. With this passion in his heart, Shinjiro Torii set out to make whisky.
Shinjiro was particular about the Japanese climate. Water and the environment were especially important to him. Yamazaki is the home of the famous water called Minase no, which was written about in the Manyo poem.
The tea master Sen no Rikyu loved this place and the water was perfect for making whisky. The natural environment was also perfect.
Yamazaki is located in the southwest of Kyoto, at the foot of Tennozan (Mt. Tenno), where bamboo groves grow thickly, and is rich in nature where you can feel the seasonal changes. Located at the confluence of the Katsura, Uji, and Kizu Rivers, and surrounded by mountains, Yamazaki is prone to thick fog and has a warm and humid climate, which is ideal for maturing whisky.
“Nobujiro decided that Yamazaki was the only place where he could make good whisky with this water and climate.
Reference: YAMAZAKI MOMENTS
・Suntory Yamazaki Distillery
1923 Yamazaki distillery was built. The first whisky distillery in Japan.
1929 Released the first domestically produced whisky, Shirofuda.
1937 Released “Kakubin”.
1984 Released single malt whisky “Yamazaki”.
1992 – Single malt whisky “Yamazaki 18 years” was launched.
1998 – Single malt whisky ” Yamazaki 25 years ” was launched.
Image credit: Yamazaki Club
For more information on the Yamazaki Distillery, please also see this article. https://jpwhisky.net/manufacturer/yamazaki/
3. Product name and photo
Single Malt Whisky “Yamazaki” BORDEAUX WINE CASK 2020 EDITION
4. Characteristics
This wine cask raw material gives the single malt whisky Yamazaki a mild sweetness, sweet and sour fruitiness, etc. French oak barrels used for wine storage are purchased and only those that have undergone rigorous checks are used to mature the malt whisky.
The “Bordeaux Wine Cask 2020 Edition” uses only raw wine that has been aged in these wine casks since the new pot stage, so you can fully enjoy the characteristics of the wine cask raw wine. (From the manufacturer’s website)
4-1. Tasting Notes
| Nose | Fruity berry sweetness and spicy |
| Taste | Complex, rich, and tender on the palate. |
| Aftertaste | Sweetness and acidity, spicy from French oak |
(Quoted from: Single Malt Whisky “Yamazaki” 2020 EDITION 5 kinds｜Single Malt Whisky Yamazaki｜Suntory )
4-2. Product Specifications
| Alcohol content | 48% alcohol by volume |
| Alcohol category | Single malt whisky |
| Cask type | French oak wine barrels |
| Contents | 700ml |
| Number of bottles sold | Limited quantity (quantity not disclosed) |
| Suggested retail price | 12,100 yen (tax included) |
| Release date | November 4, 2020 |
5. Awards
No awards have been received at this time.
6. Price
6-1. Manufacturer’s suggested retail price
| Product name | Single Malt Whisky “Yamazaki” Bordeaux Wine Cask 2020 EDITION |
| Volume | 700ml |
| Suggested retail price | 12,100 yen (tax included) |
6-2. Resale price on Mercari
The resale price on Mercari is around 80,000 yen to 140,000 yen.(*As of May 10, 2021)
6-3. Sold price on Yahoo Auction
The winning bid price on Yahoo Auction is Lowest price 117,000 yen, highest price 286,008 yen, average 144,498 yen. (*Statistics for the past 120 days as of 5/10/2021) 
6-4. Rakuten, Yahoo Shopping, Amazon
They are also sold at mail order sites for around 220,000 yen to 250,000 yen.(*As of 5/10/2021)
6-5. Price offered at BAR SHINKAI
At BAR SHINKAI, which is operated by this website, we offer one drink, 45ml: 4,290 yen, 30ml: 2,860 yen, 15ml: 1,430 yen.
https://en.jpwhisky.net/about-2/barshinkai-4/
7. Summary
This is the first wine-barrel-aged sake to be released as a limited edition under the Yamazaki brand, and it has been aged in wine barrels since New Pot. The softness and sweet-sourness of Bordeaux red wine are intertwined with the spiciness derived from French oak, and we hope you enjoy this new Yamazaki character.
Chief Blender Shinji Fukuyo (from the manufacturer’s website)
When drunk straight, it has a thick texture on the tongue.
It has a fruity, sweet and sour berry fruit flavor and a spicy taste.
It may be good to enjoy as a dessert sake after dinner.
We also have Puncheon, Spanish Oak, and Peated Malt available for you to compare.
How about relaxing and relieving your stress while feeling the difference of each personality and the depth of whisky?
We hope you will enjoy it at BAR SHINKAI.
■Please also read other articles about Single Malt Whisky “Yamazaki” 2020 EDITION.
https://jpwhisky.net/yamazaki-puncheon-2020-edition-5627/
https://jpwhisky.net/2021/05/17/yamazaki- spanish-oak-2020-edition/
https://jpwhisky.net/yamazaki-peated-malt-2020-edition-6042/
Lastly: Recommended Books on Japanese Whisky
If you want to learn more about Japanese whisky, which is a global trend, and want to learn more about it, we highly recommend these books.
(1). Japanese whisky as an Education for Business
This is a book written by Mamoru Tsuchiya, a world-famous whisky critic and representative of the Whisky Culture Research Institute, titled ” Japanese Whisky as a Culture that Works for Business.
The book covers the basics of whisky, the introduction of whisky to Japan, the birth of Japanese whisky, advertising strategies and the rise of Japanese whisky, and the current rise of craft distilleries. This is a book that summarizes Japanese whisky in a very easy to understand way.
(2). Whisky Galore Vol.25 April 2021
The April 2021 issue of Whisky Galore, published by the Whisky Culture Research Institute.
This issue of Whisky Galore, published by the Whisky Culture Research Institute, features the definition of Japanese whisky and a list of 24 distilleries as the latest in Japanese whisky. It also features an interview with Suntory Chief Blender Shinji Fukuyo, making it a must-have for Japanese whisky fans.
(3). Whisky Rising
This is the Japanese version of Whisky Risng, published in the US in 2016, with much updated content. Not only does it describe the history of Japanese whisky in detail, but it also includes data on all the distilleries in Japan, including the craft distilleries that have been founded in recent years. The book also includes descriptions of the legendary bottles that have been released, as well as information on bars where Japanese whisky can be found.
