The Yamazaki Distillery

The Yamazaki distillery is Japans oldest commercial whisky distillery. It was opened by Shinjiro Torii, the founder of Suntory, in 1923 in Yamazaki on the outskirts of Kyoto, Japan’s ancient capital.

The location was chosen because of the excellent water supply in the area. The climate is also diverse with relatively cold winters and hot, humid summers, which makes it suitable for the production and maturation of whisky. The distillery is located near a notable Shinto shrine called Minase. Historically, a famous tea master based his operation in the vicinity as the water was thought to be of outstanding quality.

For the first 10 years, Yamazaki was managed by the legendary Masataka Taketsuru, the “Father of Japanese Whisky” and the founder of Nikka Whisky. Taketsuru actually wanted to open the distillery in Hokkaido as he believed the climate there was most similar to the Scottish climate. Torii, however, feared that transportation costs would be too high and opted for Yamazaki instead.

Its first product was the Shirofuda, or “white label,” named so after the colour of the label. The Shirofuda appeared on the market in 1929. The reception was slightly disappointing; Japanese drinkers were unused to the strong taste of whisky and turned their backs on it. It wasn’t until 1937 that a whisky the Japanese would truly appreciate arrived. This was called Suntory Kabunin (“square bottle”), which is still widely sold to this day. Despite the success of Kabunin, the whisky industry was still operating at a loss, but this would change with the arrival of war.

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Suntory Yamazaki Sherry Cask 2010

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Yamazaki 50 Year Old (2007 Release) (Price Upon Request)

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Suntory Collection Signature Whisky Arita Somenishiki Fukuju

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Suntory W. Shop Yamazaki WSO-007 and Hakushu WSO-006 Set

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Suntory Yamazaki 50 Year Old (2005 Release) (Price upon Request)

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Yamazaki 1984 Sherry Wood

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Suntory Yamazaki Mizunara 2011

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Suntory Pure Malt Sherry Wood Yamazaki 1986

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Suntory Yamazaki Mizunara 2013

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Suntory Yamazaki Peated Malt 2020

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Suntory Yamazaki Puncheon 2020

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Suntory Yamazaki The Single Cask 1994

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Suntory Yamazaki “100th Washizu” Owner’s Cask 1992-2007

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Suntory Hakushu 12 Year Old Pure Malt

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Suntory Yamazaki Mizunara 2012

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Suntory Yamazaki Single Malt Whisky 1995 Vintage Malt

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Yamazaki 50 Year Old 3rd Edition 2011 Release (Price Upon Request)

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