Suntory is the oldest whisky making company in Japan. Its origins stretch back to a small shop, started in 1899 by Torii Shinjiro which specialized in selling imported wines. Today, it is the country’s largest and most recognizable producer of quality whisky. This 12 year old Yamazaki was introduced to the market in 1984 and was the first seriously marketed Japanese single malt whisky. By now, it is an internationally coveted whisky, winning award after award, and having been named by Jim Murray as being the best whisky in the world. You know you have quality when you have Yamazaki. This particular bottle is matured in Japanese Mizunara casks, which evidently went so well that Scottish distilleries are beginning to order Mizunara casks.