Yamazaki 55 Year Old

Introducing The World’s Oldest Yamazaki Release

In early 2020 Suntory announced that it would be releasing a whisky fit for the history books, a Yamazaki Single Malt that had been aged for more than 55 years. The whisky captures the craftsmanship of more than a half century of distilling expertise, combining three iconic casks to create an expression that is second to none.

Combining Three Generations Of Distilling Expertise

The first cask was distilled in 1960 by Yamazki’s founder, Shinjiro Torii, and carefully aged in mizunara oak. The second and third casks were distilled in 1961 and 1964 by Suntory’s second master blender Keizo Saji, then aged in American white oak. The three casks were selected and blended by chief blender Shinji Fukuyo in concert with Shinjiro Torri’s grandson, the third-generation master blender Shingo Torii.

“Throughout the process of blending Yamazaki 55, I used as inspiration the passage of time and wabi-sabi—the Japanese belief that imperfections can help to ultimately contribute to perfection,” Fukuyo said in a press release. “While I often view other extra aged whiskies as art, I consider Yamazaki 55 to be more like a Buddhist statue: calm and mysterious, requiring time to truly enjoy inner beauty.”

Whisky Unlike Any Other

The Yamazaki 55 Year Old is so special that Suntory has said a normal tasting glass isn’t good enough, but that a Burgundy glass be used instead in order to take in the full array of notes that this complex whisky has to offer. It takes an exceptional level of skill to work with well aged whisky in order to retain the distinguishing notes while minimizing any overbearing flavors that can overpower the palate. With this release the Suntory team demonstrates their unparalleled expertise by bringing forth a plethora of notes that are unlike any other whisky that has ever been produced.

With this expression, you get hints of fresh-cut grass in addition to more tropical flavors such as nearly-ripe mangoes, orange zest, ginger chews—all blanketed by the influence of the mizunara, which imparts subtle notes of bitter citrus rinds, sandalwood, cedar shavings, and a tinge of sweetness that’s enhanced by the whisky’s mildly saccharine and lasting finish.

Intricate & Beautiful Design

The Yamazaki 55 Year Old features an impeccable design that is inspired by Japanese art and culture, bringing forth a level of meticulous detail that is a true masterpiece. The bottles were produced with engraved calligraphy that made use of intricate sandblasting techniques, while incorporating genuine gold dust and real lacquer. The result is an elegant presentation piece that perfectly complements the liquid contained within and will truly stand apart among even the most prized collections.

Includes Miniature Bottle

Note that this is the Japan release which includes an exclusive miniature bottle along with the full size bottle. This makes this particular expression among the most rare Yamazaki releases of all time.