Suntory announced that it will release a limited quantity of “Suntory Premium Highball <Yamazaki> 350ml cans” nationwide on Tuesday, August 8, 2012. The price is 660 yen (tax included).
This is the second product in Suntory Whisky’s 100th anniversary celebration. The previous first product was Premium Highball Hakushu. It will go on sale soon, on June 6.
In addition, the 100th anniversary labels of Yamazaki NV, Yamazaki 12year old, Hakushu NV, and Hakushu 12year are also on sale. I have the impression that more and more people are getting them by now. Many of you may be interested in having all four types of 100th anniversary labels.
1. Premium Highball Yamazaki Where can I buy it?
This set with Suntory The Premium Malts Master Dream is now available for pre-order on Amazon and Rakuten.
2. 100th Anniversary of Suntory Whisky, 2023 Business Policy
2-1. 100th Anniversary Commemoration, Launch of Limited Edition Products
As the first product to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Suntory Whisky, “Suntory Premium Highball <Hakushu> 350ml can”, which is made by carefully selecting only Hakushu malt whisky suitable for highballs, was released in limited quantities from Tuesday, June 6, 2012. The second product, “Suntory Premium Highball <Yamazaki> 350ml can,” will be available in limited quantities from Tuesday, August 8.
In addition, “Suntory Single Malt Whisky Yamazaki”, “Suntory Single Malt Whisky Yamazaki 12year”, “Suntory Single Malt Whisky Hakushu”, and “Suntory Single Malt Whisky Hakushu 12year”, with labels featuring the design of the distillery where the manufacturing process takes place, have been on sale sequentially since mid-April, with the year 2023 limited edition design. The design depicts the distillery, expressing Suntory Whisky’s desire for the future. The content is said to be the same as the current product, but it seems to be a real battle to win.
- Image source: Suntory Whisky Business Policy 2023 News Release
- Image source: Suntory Whisky Business Policy 2023 News Release
- Image source: Suntory Whisky Business Policy 2023 News Release
2-2. Capital investment
Capital investment of 10 billion yen is planned for the Yamazaki and Hakushu distilleries by 2024, mainly for the purpose of further improving quality and enhancing the appeal of the distilleries.
2-3. Introduction of “floor malting” at Yamazaki and Hakushu Distilleries
Yamazaki and Hakushu Distilleries will introduce “floor malting,” in which wheat soaked in water is spread out on the floor and stirred repeatedly. This is a traditional process that is now only practiced in a few distilleries in Scotland due to the considerable amount of labor (manpower and time) involved. Suntory will introduce floor malting as a symbol of its challenge to whisky making, and will aim for further “delicious quality”.
2-4. Yamazaki Distillery: Introduction of “Electrically Heated Distillation Kettle (Pot Still)”
Since 1968, Yamazaki Distillery has been challenging the development of new technologies and the creation of different types of original whisky to improve the overall quality of Suntory whisky at its small-scale distillation facility called “Pilot Distillery”. This time, by introducing a distillation pot that can be electrically heated in addition to direct heating, Suntory will begin research on further quality improvement, etc., and its purpose seems to be to act as a symbol of the challenges in whisky making. The shape, size, and manufacturer of the pot still to be introduced have not been disclosed.
2-5. Introduction of “Yeast Cultivation Process” at Hakushu Distillery
The Hakushu Distillery will introduce a “yeast cultivation process” for one of its raw materials, aiming to procure high-quality yeast on an ongoing basis. By focusing on even the raw materials, the distillery will further improve the “taste quality.
3. Suntory Premium Highball Yamazaki
The catchphrase is “deep lingering taste of Mizunara oak”
At first glance at the same price as the previous Premium Highball Hakushu, 660 yen is expensive! At first glance, however, the price is the same as that of the previous premium highball Hakushu, but since a glass of Yamazaki highball at a bar or restaurant costs 1,000 to 1,500 yen (or 800 yen at the lowest), this is a product that any Yamazaki lover would probably want to try at least once.
The alcohol content is slightly high at 9%, and if one were to try to make 350ml of a 9% highball with a 700ml bottle, it would be about 9 glasses, so 660 yen is too expensive! I guess that does not mean that 660 yen is too much. Now I am wondering about the difference in taste from the Yamazaki highballs we drink at the store.
The highball features a thick flavor and a deep aftertaste derived from the Mizunara oak barrels, using only carefully selected Yamazaki malt sake that is suitable for highballs. The blend is designed to be enjoyed over ice in a glass.
The package depicts the Yamazaki Distillery based on the “Yamazaki” brand colors, and the word “Yamazaki” is prominently displayed to convey a sense of authenticity. In addition, the phrase “deep lingering taste of Mizunara oak” conveys the characteristics of the product.
Reference: “Suntory Premium Highball <Yamazaki> 350ml can” to be released in limited quantities on May 30, 2023 News Release by Suntory
Product name | Suntory Premium Highball Yamazaki |
|---|---|
| Alcoholic Beverage | ー |
| Ingredients | Malt |
| Cask | ー |
| Number of bottles | Limited quantity |
| Alcohol content | 9% |
| Price | Suggested retail price: 660 yen (tax included) |
- 1. Premium Highball Yamazaki Where can I buy it?
- 2. 100th Anniversary of Suntory Whisky, 2023 Business Policy
- 2-1. 100th Anniversary Commemoration, Launch of Limited Edition Products
- 2-2. Capital investment
- 2-3. Introduction of “floor malting” at Yamazaki and Hakushu Distilleries
- 2-4. Yamazaki Distillery: Introduction of “Electrically Heated Distillation Kettle (Pot Still)”
- 2-5. Introduction of “Yeast Cultivation Process” at Hakushu Distillery
- 3. Suntory Premium Highball Yamazaki
- Lastly: Recommended Books on Japanese Whisky
Lastly: Recommended Books on Japanese Whisky
If you want to learn more about Japanese whisky, which is a global trend, we highly recommend these books.
(1).Whisky Galore Vol.29 December 2021 issue
In the December 2021 issue of Whisky Galore, published by the Whisky Culture Research Institute, we report on 11 Japanese craft distilleries, including some that are open to the public for the first time, under the title of “Japanese Whisky Craft Frontline,” the first of three consecutive issues. Why did the popularity of Japanese whisky and the craft boom occur? We will examine with interviews. Chichibu Distillery / Chichibu No.2 Distillery / Mars Shinshu Distillery / Mars Tsunuki Distillery / Kanosuke Distillery / Hioki Distillery / Ontake Distillery / Osuzuyama Distillery / Kaikyo Distillery / Hanyu Distillery / Konosu Distillery
(2). 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.
(3). Whisky and I (Masataka Taketsuru)
Masataka Taketsuru, the founder of Nikka Whisky, devoted his life to brewing whisky in Japan. This is a revised and reprinted version of the autobiography of a man who simply loved whisky and talked about himself. The book vividly depicts the days when he went to Scotland alone to study as a young man and overcame many hardships to complete Japanese whisky, as well as his companion, Rita.
(4). A Letter of Challenge from a New Generation Distillery
Launching in 2019. With the world experiencing an unprecedented whisky boom, what were the managers of craft distilleries thinking and what were their thoughts as they took on the challenge of making whisky? This book tells the stories of 13 craft distillery owners, including Ichiro Hido of Venture Whisky, famous for his Ichirose Malt, who inspired the birth of craft distilleries in Japan.
(5). Whiskey 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.
