Suntory Whisky : Yamazaki 12 Year

Characteristics and Tasting Notes for the Yamazaki 12 Years Old NM Suntory Whisky

Tasting

Color
A pure gold hue with subtle amber highlights, testifying to a mastered and carefully controlled maturation.

Nose
A complex, fruity-floral aromatic profile dominated by ripe peach, tropical pineapple, pink grapefruit and dried apricot. Delicate notes of vanilla, candied orange, clove and acacia honey mingle with the exotic effluvia of the Mizunara cask, reminiscent of sandalwood, cedar and polished Japanese oak.

Palate
The attack is velvety, revealing a deep fruity sweetness with notes of creamy coconut, rich butter and ripe yellow fruit. The harmonious development introduces floral nuances of jasmine and rose, light liquorice and caramel. The finish, remarkably persistent, unfolds with gentle spices (cinnamon, ginger, white pepper) and a fine woodiness, leaving a slightly tannic sensation of freshness.

Food Pairing Tips and Moments of Enjoyment
This spirit is best enjoyed neat, at room temperature (between 18 and 20°C/64 and 68°F), in a tulip-shaped glass to concentrate its aromas, with perhaps a light splash of water. If you prefer it chilled, using large, pure, slow-melting ice cubes is recommended. On the culinary side, it beautifully enhances vanilla or chocolate desserts such as crème brûlée or brownies. It also pairs perfectly with grilled fatty fish (salmon, miso black cod), roasted meats (pork, duck), as well as aged cheeses and smoked cured meats.

Mixology
Yamazaki 12 Years Old excels in the preparation of the traditional Japanese Highball. Fill a glass with large ice cubes, pour one measure of whisky for three to four measures of very cold sparkling water, and stir gently to preserve the effervescence. This refreshing preparation also pairs elegantly with fatty salmon or mackerel sushi.

Other Characteristics
Bottled at 43% alcohol by volume, this spirit was crowned "Supreme Champion Spirit" at the International Spirits Challenge 2024, proving its excellence against the world's greatest spirits.

A Japanese Single Malt of Absolute Harmony, Pioneer of the Yamazaki Distillery

Suntory Whisky: The Pioneering Excellence of Japanese Spirits
Founded in 1899 by the visionary Shinjirō Torii, the Suntory Whisky house embodies the genesis and excellence of Japanese Whisky. It was in 1923 that the Yamazaki distillery was born, the oldest in Japan, nestled in the Kyoto region at the confluence of three rivers offering water of exceptional purity. Guided by the philosophy of monozukuri — the art of craftsmanship that respects the work of nature — the company has managed to adapt Scottish know-how to the delicate Japanese palate. Today, under the leadership of Nobuhiro Torii, great-grandson of the founder and current president of Suntory Holdings Limited, the estate carries on this family legacy. Equipped with ultramodern facilities and a uniquely diverse range of stills, the distillery maintains a perfect balance between artisanal tradition and technical innovation to create spirits of unrivalled harmony.

Yamazaki 12 Years Old: The Emblematic Expression of Japanese Single Malt
The result of a meticulous quest initiated by Keizo Saji in the early 1980s, Yamazaki 12 Years Old was unveiled to the public in 1984. This exceptional Single Malt, a true pillar of the international recognition of Japanese Whisky, illustrates the absolute mastery of the art of blending. Unlike Scottish traditions, the distillery creates its own diversity in-house.

The making of this NM (Non-Vintage) expression relies on an extraordinarily precise combination of three distinct types of casks. The first element, rare and precious, comes from Japanese Mizunara oak casks, bringing unique exotic notes. The second pillar consists of American white oak casks that previously held Spanish sherry, lending the spirit its oxidative complexity and candied fruit aromas. Finally, new or lightly used American white oak casks complete this blend by introducing a characteristic vanilla sweetness.

Matured in the unique microclimate of the Yamazaki valley, where seasonal variations and humidity create the famous "Suntory Maturation," this spirit transcends mere technique to become a true liquid work of art. Its meticulous production, now overseen by Chief Blender Shinji Fukuyo, aims for perfect harmony rather than the dominance of a single character trait, thereby forging the indelible signature of this timeless classic.