The he House of Suntory has launched this year, the 2022 Yamazaki Limited Edition Tsukuriwake Selection which brings back the four foundational pillars of the Yamazaki Single Malt Whisky first unveiled in 1984. Puncheon, Peated Malt, Spanish Oak and Mizunara, these four respective expressions come together to honour Tsukuriwake, which means “artisanship through a diversity of making” and is embraced by the Founding House of Japanese Whisky.
Tsukuriwake in Yamazaki uniquely prides itself in multiple strengths of non-peated and peated grain varieties, two types of wash backs, eight pairs with various shapes of pot stills and maturation in four different oak casks (French, Spanish, Japanese and American) with three cask size differences in American Oak. This makes Yamazaki Single Malt Whisky, a Single Malt quite like no other.
The 2022 Yamazaki Limited Edition Tsukuriwake Selection, initially released in Japan in 2020, will be available this year in select global markets including the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Austria, Spain, Singapore, Taiwan, China, South Korea, Thailand, and Australia. Each expression is bottled at 48% ABV.
YAMAZAKI PUNCHEON
The Puncheon is considered as the “heart” of what makes Yamazaki Single Malt, Yamazaki. The Yamazaki Puncheon Single Malt Whisky is comprised of meticulously selected malts aged exclusively in puncheons crafted by Suntory artisans from hand selected American oak. With a capacity of approximately 480 liters, these large casks allow malt whiskies to mature slowly, imbuing them with a complexity and vibrance. The Puncheon cask malt whiskies impart their subtle notes essential to the delicate base of the Yamazaki Single Malt.
- Tasting Notes
- Colour: Pale gold
- Nose: Green apple, mature pear, acacia honey with hint of vanilla
- Palate: Clean, velvety, and mild, with delicate butterscotch notes
- Finish: Oaky woodiness with subtle sweetness
YAMAZAKI PEATED MALT
The Peated Malt is considered the “hidden accent” giving Yamazaki its complexity and lingering finish. The Yamazaki Peated Malt is comprised of meticulously selected heavily peated malted barley that is masterfully blended to create the quintessential Yamazaki Peated Malt that is gentle and refined. The Peated malt whiskies impart their subtly smoky, earthy notes essential to the complexity of the Yamazaki Single Malt.
- Tasting Notes
- Colour: Bright gold
- Nose: Subtly smoky with green herbal notes
- Palate: Gently peated with hints of earthiness, pineapple and citrus notes
- Finish: Complex with lingering peatiness
YAMAZAKI SPANISH OAK
The Spanish Oak is considered as the depth-enhancer giving Yamazaki its quintessential multi-layered full flavor with mature fruity notes. The Yamazaki Spanish Oak is comprised of meticulously selected malt whiskies matured in the highest quality oak casks originating from Northern Spain. The Spanish oak cask malt whiskies impart a delicately rich and decadent palate with subtle acidity and fruity aromas, essential to the multi-layered flavor profile of the Yamazaki Single Malt.
- Tasting Notes
- Colour: Rich reddish amber
- Nose: Dried raisins and prunes, with hints of sundried tomatoes
- Palate: Delicately rich and decadent with subtle acidity
- Finish: Buttery with lingering acidity and hint of bitterness
YAMAZAKI MIZUNARA
Mizunara is a species of oak native to Japan and is considered the signature enhancer giving Yamazaki its quintessential Japanese character and elegance. Whiskies which undergo a long maturation in Mizunara casks take on a distinctive Japanese spiciness and incense-like flavor of sandalwood and agarwood. The Yamazaki Mizunara Single Malt Whisky is comprised of meticulously selected long-matured malt whiskies showcasing the rare, distinctive beauty of the hand crafted Mizunara casks. The Mizunara cask malt whiskies impart their enigmatic spicy notes essential to the signature taste of the Yamazaki Single Malt.
- Tasting Notes
- Colour: Amber
- Nose: Rich and elegant top note, custard cream, cinnamon
- Palate: Gentle on the tongue, aromatic and round with spiced sweet notes
- Finish: Distinctive deep woody notes reminiscent of Japanese incense
The 2022 Yamazaki Limited Edition Tsukuriwake Selection will be available at selected The Whisky Distillery stores and www.winesnspirits.sg from August 2022.
