Single Malt The Owners Sherry Butt Cask No 4R70055 (((Bottled 2005)))
⏳ Drinking Window
As a distilled single malt whisky bottled in 2005, it does not mature further in glass. It is fully matured and ready to be enjoyed now, and will remain in peak condition indefinitely if stored upright and away from direct light.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Dark chocolate desserts, slow-roasted duck, and mature blue cheeses.
✨ Technical Specifications
Yamazaki, founded in 1923 by Shinjiro Torii near Kyoto, is the birthplace of Japanese whisky. Nestled at the confluence of the Katsura, Uji, and Kizu rivers, the distillery benefits from a legendary water source celebrated by Sen no Rikyu, the grand master of the Japanese tea ceremony. This rare 'The Owner's Cask' release represents a single cask bottling (Cask No 4R70055), aged in a Spanish oak Sherry Butt and bottled in 2005. The Sherry Butt maturation infuses the 100% malted barley spirit with deep, complex notes of dried dark fruits, rich spices, dark chocolate, and Spanish oak influence, showcasing the meticulous craftsmanship and microclimate-driven maturation unique to Yamazaki.
🍾 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.