Yamazaki Distillery’s Variety of Raw Sake
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 original sake.
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 |
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.
“The only place to make good whisky is Yamazaki, with this water and this climate,” said Shinjiro, who decided to make this place the home of whisky.
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://en.jpwhisky.net/manufacturer/yamazaki_en/
3. Product name and photo
Single malt whisky “YAMAZAKI PEATED MALT 2020 EDITION”
YAMAZAKI PEATED MALT 2020 EDITION
4. Characteristics
Strong, complex aroma from heavily peat-burned and dried malt. Complex flavor
Among the various types of raw materials that make up the flavor of Yamazaki single malt whisky, only a small amount of smoky raw material adds depth and complexity to the flavor. It is made from peated malt, which is malted barley that has been dried by burning more peat.
“In the Peated Malt 2020 Edition, we have carefully selected and blended only this smoky malt*. We hope you enjoy the powerful and complex flavors.
*Raw spirit aged in American oak barrels and hogsheads (from the manufacturer’s website)
4-1. Tasting Notes
| Aroma | Smoky, peachy |
| Taste | Softness, pineapple, smoked |
| Aftertaste | A fragrant, peaty aftertaste lingers. |
(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 |
| Barrel type | American oak barrels, hogsheads |
| 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” Peated Malt 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 125,000 yen The resale price on Mercari is as follows.(*As of May 21, 2021)
6-3. Sold price on Yahoo Auction
The winning bid price on Yahoo Auction is Lowest bidder: 64,000 yen, highest bidder: 219,000 yen, average bidder: 87,553 yen (*Statistics for the past 120 days from May 21, 2021)
6-4. Rakuten, Yahoo Shopping, Amazon
It is also sold on mail order sites at 128,000 Before After It is also sold at (*As of May 21, 2021)
6-5. Price offered at BAR Shinkai
At “BAR SHINKAI”, which is operated by this website, it is 1 glass 45ml: 4,290 yen 35ml: 2,860 yen 15ml: 1,430 yen It is available at
https://en.jpwhisky.net/about-2/barshinkai-4/
7. Summary
Compared to Scotch whisky, Suntory’s smoky whisky is characterized by a moist and soft sweetness. This whisky has been created by carefully selecting the best of the smoky raw materials, so that everyone can enjoy the characteristics of the whisky.
Chief Blender Shinji Fukuyo (from the manufacturer’s website)
The aroma of peat is more gorgeous and soft than I imagined.
In the mouth, there is a strong smoky aroma, but it is soft and recommended as an introduction to peated whisky.
We also have Puncheon, Bordeaux Wine Cask, and Spanish Oak available at our store, so please compare them.
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/2021/05/10/yamazaki- bordeaux-wine-cask-2020-edition-2/
https://en.jpwhisky.net/2021/05/17/yamazaki-spanish-oak-2020-edition-2/
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 includes 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.
