Yamazaki 12 Year Old Single Malt Whisky

Yamazaki 12 Year Old is an iconic Japanese single malt from Suntory’s original 1923 distillery near Kyoto. Crafted with soft mountain water, long fermentation and varied copper stills, it marries whiskies aged in American, Spanish sherry and rare Mizunara oak. Bright, elegant and gently spiced, it’s a refined yet welcoming gift for any whisky lover.

Tasting Notes & Experience

Peach, pineapple and grapefruit rise with fragrant clove and Mizunara incense. The palate is silky with coconut cream, cranberry and buttery citrus zest, unfolding into warm ginger and cinnamon. A long, harmonious finish lingers with sandalwood, sweet spice and a whisper of temple-smoke oak.

Key Details

• Distillery: The Yamazaki Distillery (Suntory)
• Region: Yamazaki, Osaka, Japan
• Type: Japanese Single Malt Whisky
• ABV: 43%
• Volume: 700ml
• Maturation: American oak, Spanish sherry oak & Mizunara (Japanese oak)
• Serve: Neat, with a splash of water, over a large ice block

Cocktail Pairings

Best savoured neat, yet superb in a restrained Japanese Highball (ultra-cold soda, citrus zest). Try a Yamazaki Old Fashioned with light demerara and orange oils, or a Boulevardier twist where sherry and Mizunara notes meet bittersweet vermouth and amaro. A Ginger Highball (dry ginger ale, lemon coin) highlights its spice and citrus.

Craftsmanship & Story

Founded by Shinjiro Torii in 1923, Yamazaki pioneered Japanese single malt. The site’s famed soft water and misty valley climate enable slow, expressive maturation. Multiple fermentations, varied still shapes and meticulous cask management create a palette of component malts that Suntory’s blenders weave into Yamazaki 12’s signature harmony.

Special Features

Yamazaki 12 is celebrated for its Mizunara influence—incense, sandalwood and gentle spice—layered over orchard fruit and honeyed malt. The blend of American, Spanish and Japanese oak provides breadth and poise: sherry richness, bourbon sweetness and Mizunara elegance in a seamlessly balanced, age-stated single malt.

Recognition & Accolades

Consistently honoured by major competitions; highlights include:

• Supreme Champion – International Spirits Competition, 2024
• Double Gold – San Francisco World Spirits Competition, 2009 & 2013
• Double Gold – International Spirits Challenge, 2024 (Trophy: Japanese Whisky)
• Gold – International Spirits Challenge, multiple years (2003, 2010, 2018, 2021, 2022)
• Gold – World Whiskies Awards, 2017 & 2019
• Gold – San Francisco World Spirits Competition, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2014

These awards reflect Yamazaki 12’s enduring status as Japan’s benchmark single malt—balanced, expressive and unmistakably refined.

Food Pairings

Yellowtail sashimi with yuzu kosho; chicken yakitori (tare glaze); miso-glazed eggplant; aged Comté or Gouda; dark chocolate with candied orange. Citrus, honey and sandalwood spice complement umami-rich glazes and nutty, caramel notes.

Perfect for Gifting or Sipping

A coveted age-stated Japanese single malt, beautifully presented and universally admired—ideal for birthdays, milestones and corporate gifting, or as a connoisseur’s house pour.

Fast, Secure NZ-Wide Delivery

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