From The House of Suntory's award-winning Yamazaki Distillery comes an exceptional and extremely-limited 55-year-old whisky - now officially the oldest release to come out of Japan.

Yamazaki 55 Year Old is a blend composed of a trio of spectacular single malts, featuring components distilled all the way back in the 1960s; firstly under the supervision of Suntory’s founder Shinjiro Torii and then aged in Mizunara casks; and then in 1964 under Suntory’s Second Master Blender Keizo Saji and then aged in American White Oak casks. Fifth generation Chief Blender Shinji Fukuyo worked closely with third generation Master Blender Shingo Torii to find the right creative alchemy and signature art of blending required to showcase a unique depth and complexity in Yamazaki 55.

"Yamazaki has been embraced as one of the best single malts of the world. We knew that we had to continue to challenge ourselves in pushing the boundaries of what Japanese whisky could be. That is the mission that is Yamazaki."

Shinji Fukuyo, Chief Blender

The resulting expression was bottled up in 2020 at 46% abv with just 100 bottles released in Japan in August 2020. Each drop features a deep amber colour, distinctive of hard-to-find Mizunara casks. On the nose, its aromas of sandal wood and well-ripened fruit pave the way for a sweet, slightly bitter and woody palate, and slightly bitter yet sweet and rich finish with just a hint of smoke.

Yamazaki 55 is presented in a crystal bottle with the word “Yamazaki” carefully engraved in calligraphy using the technique of sandblasting and featuring real gold dust and lacquer on the age marking. The bottle’s opening is wrapped in handmade Echizen washi paper and bound with a Kyo-kumihimo plaited cord, a traditional craft from Kyoto. Each bottle is delivered in a bespoke box made from native Japanese Mizunara wood and coated with Suruga lacquer.

Register your interest: Yamazaki 55 Year Old

With four generations of expertise coming together in this one expression, Yamazaki 55 Year Old is truly the story of Japanese whisky. Each matured amber drop reveals a complex and mystical Yamazaki-ness the world has yet to discover...

To find out when this expression is available, register your details via the link here.