Single Malt The Cask of Yamazaki Sherry Butt Cask No ON70646 (((Bottled 2008)))
⏳ Drinking Window
As a distilled spirit bottled in 2008, this whisky does not mature further in the bottle. It is ready to be savored immediately and will remain in peak condition indefinitely if stored properly, though it is best enjoyed within 1 to 2 years once opened.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Rich dark chocolate desserts, slow-roasted duck breast, or mature blue cheeses.
✨ Technical Specifications
Nestled at the foot of Mount Tennozan where three rivers meet, the Yamazaki Distillery is the birthplace of Japanese whisky, established by Shinjiro Torii in 1923. The unique misty climate and exceptionally soft water—famed since the 16th century when tea master Sen no Rikyu established his tea house nearby—provide the ideal conditions for maturation. This rare single cask release, 'The Cask of Yamazaki Sherry Butt Cask No ON70646,' was matured in a single Spanish oak sherry butt before being bottled in 2008. The sherry butt maturation imparts a deep amber hue and a complex profile of dried dark fruits, rich cacao, sweet spices, and a delicate balsamic undertone, representing the pinnacle of Yamazaki's artisanal single-cask program.
🍾 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.