Single Malt Bourbon Barrel (((Bottled 2012)))
⏳ 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. Once opened, it is best consumed within 1 to 3 years to experience its delicate aromatics at their peak.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Glazed chicken yakitori, smoked duck breast, or artisanal dark chocolate.
✨ Technical Specifications
Nestled at the foot of Mount Tennozan where three rivers meet, the Yamazaki Distillery—founded in 1923 by Shinjiro Torii—stands as the birthplace of Japanese whisky. The Yamazaki Single Malt Bourbon Barrel Bottled 2012 is a testament to the distillery's mastery of wood selection. Unlike expressions influenced by Sherry or native Mizunara oak, this limited release is matured exclusively in select North American white oak bourbon casks. This specific maturation coaxes out vibrant notes of tropical fruit, creamy vanilla, and sweet honey, all underpinned by the soft, pure mineral water of the region, which was famously praised by the legendary 16th-century tea master Sen no Rikyu. It represents a harmonious bridge between American cooperage tradition and meticulous Japanese craftsmanship.
🍾 About the Producer
Established in 1923 by Suntory founder Shinjiro Torii with technical assistance from Masataka Taketsuru, Yamazaki is the pioneer and foundational benchmark of Japanese whisky. Situated southwest of Kyoto at the foot of Mount Tennozan, the distillery occupies a tranquil river valley where the Katsura, Uji, and Kizu rivers converge. This geographic setting engenders an enduring misty microclimate, significant seasonal temperature variations, and access to exceptionally pure, soft subterranean spring water historically lauded by tea master Sen no Rikyu. Uniquely engineered to function as a self-contained ecosystem of distinct styles, Yamazaki employs diverse fermenters alongside pot stills of varied shapes, sizes, and condensation configurations. Its maturation program is celebrated for its virtuosic wood management under Chief Blender Shinji Fukuyo, incorporating American oak ex-bourbon barrels, Spanish oak sherry butts, and rare indigenous Mizunara Japanese oak. The resulting single malts, led by the flagship 12, 18, and 25 Year Old expressions, are distinguished by sandalwood spice, dried fruit complexity, and aristocratic balance.