Single Malt Kogei Collection Peated Malt Spanish Oak
⏳ Drinking Window
As a premium single malt whisky, this bottle is fully matured upon release and does not improve with bottle age. It can be preserved indefinitely unopened, and is best enjoyed within 1 to 2 years once opened to maintain its vibrant aromatic complexity.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Slow-roasted duck breast, artisanal dark chocolate, and mature blue cheeses.
✨ Technical Specifications
Hailing from Japan's oldest malt whisky distillery, Yamazaki, founded in 1923 by Shinjiro Torii near Kyoto, the Kogei Collection (meaning traditional craftsmanship) represents a sublime fusion of Japanese artistry and master blending. This exquisite single malt expression brings together heavily peated malted barley and the deep, resinous influence of seasoned Spanish oak casks. The Yamazaki Distillery's unique location at the confluence of three rivers—Katsura, Uji, and Kizu—provides a misty, humid microclimate ideal for slowly maturing spirits. This expression showcases a masterful balance of smoky peat fire, rich dried fruits, cacao, and warm spices imparted by the Spanish oak, wrapped in packaging that honors traditional Japanese design heritage.
🍾 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.