Suntory's Flagship whiskey, the Yamazaki takes its place as the number 1 single malt whiskey in Japan. Also available in 12, 18 and 25 year varieties the Distillers reserve is the youngest in the lineup. Crafted using malt matured in sherry casks which gives the whisky a rich spiced nose of sherry soaked plums and raisins. On the palate you’ll find coffee and chocolate with a hint of smoke. A fantastic Japanese malt and one of the best currently produced bearing the Takesuru name.

The Yamazaki Distillery is Japan’s first and oldest malt whisky distillery founded in 1923 by Suntory's founder Shinjiro Torii. Yamazaki is not only the soul place of Suntory Whisky but the birthplace of Japanese Whisky. Inspired by traditional Scottish whisky, it is said that Torii selected the land of Yamazaki at the foot of Mt. Tennozan, for its high-quality water source and natural environment ideal for whisky making. <br> <br> Yamazaki 25 Years Old won the “Supreme Champion Spirit”, in addition to winning the “Trophy”, which is a top award among the Japanese Whisky category. The “Supreme Champion Spirit” award is bestowed upon the most outstanding product from among Trophy award winners across all categories, which means that Yamazaki 25 Years Old was selected as the highest scoring trophy winner out of approximately 2,300 entries which were recognized in the competition. It is the first time for Yamazaki 25 Years Old to be awarded both “Trophy” and “Supreme Champion Spirit”. <br> <br> Richard Paterson OBE, Chair Judge of the Whiskies category said “The Yamazaki 25 Years Old excels once again. There are notes of lovely cinnamon and spice as well as a luxurious sense of sun-kissed raisins. Once more, I come back to that word ‘harmony.’ That’s what makes it so special.” <br> <br> Meticulously composed of rare malt whiskies, all aged over 25 years in casks such as Mizunara, Spanish and American Oak, this masterpiece single malt embraces a deep and complex flavor profile with a dried cherry, currant, tomato purée, balsamic, walnut on the nose. A palate of marmalade, coffee, cocoa, almond is all enveloped for a profound lingering finish with a hint of acidity.

The Yamazaki Distillery is Japan’s first and oldest malt whisky distillery founded in 1923 by Suntory's founder Shinjiro Torii. Yamazaki is not only the soul place of Suntory Whisky but the birthplace of Japanese Whisky. Inspired by traditional Scottish whisky, it is said that Torii selected the land of Yamazaki at the foot of Mt. Tennozan, for its high-quality water source and natural environment ideal for whisky making. Yamazaki was born from the surprising, delicate yet profound experience of a Japanese single malt whisky. Multi-layered with fruit and Mizunara aromas, Yamazaki whiskies are complex and deep. Made at Yamazaki Distillery, the birthplace of Japanese whisky, its signature multi-layered taste is highly praised by whisky connoisseurs all over the world. The House of Suntory honours the birthplace of Japanese whisky, capturing and celebrating the pioneering roots of one of the world’s greatest whiskies from the place Shinjiro Torii chose to begin the illustrious journey of Japanese whisky. Fifth generation Chief Blender Shinji Fukuyo has returned to the roots of what made Yamazaki Single Malt quintessentially Yamazaki: deep, complex and multi-layered with fruit and Mizunara notes. The Yamazaki Smoky Batch The First, a ground breaking Japanese whisky that pushes the boundaries of flavour. Crafted with precision by Suntory’s master distillers, the oldest distillery in Japan, this exceptional single malt showcases the artistry of Japanese whisky-making. With its notes of sweetly fruity flavour, slowly spreading, and gentle smokiness in every sip. It’s often described as possessing the characteristic maturation and balance found in Yamazaki whiskies. However, what sets it apart from regular Yamazaki is its unique quality. A whisky with a distinct “Japanese-style gentle smokiness.” Golden in colour with aromas of pineapple and honey notes with the slightly smoky aroma of glowing embers. On the palate a sweetly fruity flavour, with slowly spreading, gentle smokiness. The finish is faintly woody and peaty flavour elements that linger long after the first sip. This release is part of a limited edition batch, making it a prized addition to any whisky collection. Don’t miss the opportunity to savour the first of its kind from Yamazaki.

In 1918, a young Japanese man with an ambition to make genuine whisky went alone to Scotland to unveil the secret of whisky making. He is Masataka Taketsuru, the founder of Nikka Whisky. Given the chance to go to Scotland, Masataka became the first Japanese ever to master how to make whisky. Given the chance to go to Scotland, Masataka became the first Japanese ever to master how to make whisky. He enrolled at the University of Glasgow, took chemistry courses and then apprenticed at three Scotch distilleries. In 1920 Masataka returned to Japan with his Scottish wife Jessie Roberta (Rita). The two had married earlier that year and Rita decided to immigrate to Japan to support her husband’s dream. However after returning to Japan, Masataka and Rita were heartbroken to find out that Settsu Shuzo, the company which invested in Masataka to learn in Scotland, had to abandon its plan to produce genuine whisky in Japan due to recessions after World War I. In the meantime another company, Kotobukiya Limited (Suntory), was in search for someone who could conduct whisky production. Being the only Japanese who knew how to produce whisky at that time, Masataka was hired by Kotobukiya in 1923 to direct building the Yamazaki Distillery. There he led the project and devoted himself to producing Japan’s first genuine whisky. These limited edition 2 bottle set of the Yoichi and Miyagiko has been finished in Nikka’s apple brandy casks and bottled in 2020 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Masataka and Rita’s marriage in 1920. At the foundation in 1934, apple products helped Nikka to keep the business sustainable while the first whiskies were maturing, just like Rita supported Masataka’s dream. Both of these whiskies have the delicate aroma of apples, with the expression showcasing a beautiful harmony of finesse and sweetness brought by apple brandy casks. The Yoichi single malt’s original characteristics appear such as rich malt flavors, gentle peaty notes and smokiness and the Miyagikyo single malt’s has its original characteristics such as distinctive hints of Sherry and spiciness like cinnamon.

Nikka Tailored Premium Japanese Whisky was release in 2019 as the long-awaited replacement for the Nikka 12 Year Old. This whisky has been exceptionally produced. The nose is lively and fruity with malty aromas of vanilla, caramel, cookies, and biscuits. The palate is sweet but with a firm malt base carried by a gentle sweetness from the Coffey grain. The finish lingers with a spicy bitterness. In 1918, a young Japanese man with an ambition to make genuine whisky went alone to Scotland to unveil the secret of whisky making. He is Masataka Taketsuru, the founder of Nikka Whisky. Given the chance to go to Scotland, Masataka became the first Japanese ever to master how to make whisky.

Mars Cosmo is aged in Sherry, Bourbon, and American white oak casks. Cosmo, is the name of a mountain in the Japan Central Alps, closed to the Mars Shinshu distillery. This is a limited bottling of Cosmo, which has been extra-seasoned in red wine casks. Shiny ruby red colour is extracted from red wine casks. On the nose, fruitiness and warm spiciness are present. It has a soft round mouth feel, and Umami from the red wine cask interact very well with Cosmo's ripe fruit character with vanilla and cinnamon flavours as a result of further maturation in red wine casks. A long finish with elegant tannins and black tea.

The Hakushu Distillery was founded half a century after Yamazaki. Keizo Saji, the second Master Blender, inherited his father’s quest to push the boundaries of what a Japanese whisky could be. He had searched all over Japan for high quality water that would produce the most delicately aromatic whisky. After searching with tenacity to the headstreams of rivers and deep into rugged mountains, he found Hakushu. The Hakushu Distillery is one of the highest distilleries in the world, built amidst the deepest forests of Mt. Kaikomagatake in the Japanese Southern Alps. The majestic forest that surrounds the Hakushu Distillery shelters an abundance of plant varieties reflecting the many expressions of Japanese nature. The malt whiskies born here are simultaneously blessed with a very particular microclimate, verdant forests, and water offering a rare softness only made possible by filtration of rain and snow through thousand-year-old granite rocks. Straight from the untouched forests, soft and crisp waters and mountains of the Southern Japanese Alps, it is no wonder that Hakushu is a "green and crisp" whisky. Created by the dream for a new type of whisky of Keizo Saji, the second master blender, the unique taste made in distinct four seasons in high altitude is praised by the most curious whisky connoisseurs and lovers of gastronomy. The Hakushu range of whiskies, with their crisp and vibrant feel, each one unique in a single malt whisky, will enliven your palate and liberate your senses. Experience the serene essence of Japan’s forests with Hakushu Japanese Forest Bittersweet Edition. This exceptional whisky is a tribute to nature’s beauty, capturing the sweetly complex but sprightly flavour with notes of Manuka honey, orange marmalade, and cacao. A harmoniously balanced bitterness reminiscent of espresso, leaving a delightful, lingering taste. Crafted with precision and care, it reflects the pristine landscapes of Japan, offering a unique journey through the heart of Japan’s forests with every sip. Immerse yourself in the tranquillity of the woods, elevated by the craftsmanship of Japanese whisky-making. Amber with reddish hues, the on the nose are aromas of cloves, apricot and prune. The palate has a sweetly complex but sprightly flavour with notes of Manuka honey, orange marmalade and cacao. The finish is well-balanced espresso-like bitter flavour that lingers pleasantly. This release is part of a limited edition batch, making it a prized addition to any whisky collection. Don’t miss the opportunity to savour the first of its kind from Hakushu.

Suntory are one of the giants of world whisky owning several of Japan’s nine active distilleries as well as Bowmore, Laphroig & Auchentoshan in Scotland and Kilbeggan and Cooley in Ireland. A truly global expression Suntory World Whisky AO is a whisky release which features whiskies from five different countries: Scotland, Ireland, the US, Canada, and Japan. The name “Ao” is translated to “blue” and refers to the color of the ocean. A vivid, elegant, yet deep profile, with a sweetness that gently pervades with a pleasantly sharp finish. A triumph of blending a selection of diverse, high quality whiskies into a seamless, thoughtful finished product.

The history and evolution of the Japanese Whisky scene can be traced back to one man, Masataka Taketsuru; a man known as the 'father of Japanese whisky'. Taketsuru not only left Japan to learn the craft from the experts in Scotland, he also crafted Japan's first whisky at the Yamazaki distillery before establishing the premium whisky house of Nikka in 1934. This unique bottling of 'From the Barrel' is a breathtaking blend of malt and grain whiskies that are hand selected, blended together and then reintroduced to cask upon their marriage. The result is a blend that possesses a distinctive personality characterised by solidity, depth of taste and a richly expanding aroma. With immediate aromas of cedar and maple, it has an exploding mouth-feel showcasing cinnamon, dark chocolate, pepper and toffee. Serve with a little water to reveal cacao and tingling spices.

Leading Japanese Whisky with aromas of dried fruit and honey. It has a delicate, mellow taste with a lingering woody dry finish. For Scotch drinkers looking for something different.