Single Malt 12 years old
⏳ Drinking Window
As a distilled spirit, this single malt does not mature further in the bottle and is ready to be enjoyed immediately upon release. It can be savored over many years, maintaining its exceptional quality indefinitely when stored upright in a cool, dark place.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Grilled yakitori with sweet soy glaze, rich fatty tuna sashimi, and high-quality dark chocolate.
✨ Technical Specifications
Established in 1923 by Shinjiro Torii, Yamazaki is Japan's oldest commercial whisky distillery, nestled at the foot of Mount Tennozan where three rivers meet to create a uniquely humid mist ideal for aging spirits. The Yamazaki 12 Years Old, first launched in 1984, is a pioneering single malt that put Japanese whisky on the global map. It is crafted using pure mineral water from the region—famed since the 16th century when tea master Sen no Rikyu established his tea house here. This expression is meticulously aged in a combination of American, Spanish, and rare Japanese Mizunara oak casks. The Mizunara oak infuses the spirit with its signature aromatic notes of sandalwood, incense, and coconut, while the sherry and bourbon casks contribute rich dried fruit, honey, and vanilla layers, resulting in a complex, multi-layered masterpiece.
🍾 About the Producer
Established in 1923 by Suntory founder Shinjiro Torii, the Yamazaki Distillery stands at the foot of Mount Tennozan in Shimamoto, Osaka, as Japan's pioneering commercial malt whisky distillery. Situated where the Katsura, Uji, and Kizu rivers converge, the site was specifically selected for its exceptionally soft, pristine water and misty, humid microclimate that provides optimal conditions for barrel maturation. Yamazaki is renowned for its versatile production methodology, deploying washbacks of both wood and stainless steel, uniquely shaped copper pot stills, and a diverse cask regime featuring Japanese Mizunara oak, American oak, and Spanish ex-sherry butts. The distillery is celebrated globally for its layered, multi-dimensional single malt whiskies, most famously its flagship 12- and 18-Year-Old expressions characterized by complex notes of tropical fruit, sandalwood, and delicate spice.