If Japanese whisky has a birthplace, it is Yamazaki. Shinjiro Torii founded the distillery in 1923, between Kyoto and Osaka, and it is still Japan's oldest malt whisky distillery.
Where to buy The Yamazaki
Prices from each store's own website. Delivery and member deals are noted where we know them.
🇬🇧 UK
- £72.95 →
The Whisky ExchangeCheapest
70 cl · Free over £150
- £73.50 →
Amathus Drinks
70 cl · Free over £100
- £73.95 →
The Whisky Shop
70 cl · Free over £99
- £73.99 →
Distillers Direct
70 cl · Free UK delivery
- £74.95 →
Royal Mile Whiskies
70 cl · Free over £100
- £75.00 →
Master of Malt
70 cl · Free over £100
- £76.49 →
Drinks Direct
70 cl · Free over £50
🇺🇸 US
🇨🇦 Canada
- CA$154.00 →
SAQCheapest
70 cl · Free over CA$150
- CA$159.99 →
Willow Park Wines
70 cl · Shipping calculated at checkout
What it tastes like
Red fruit and honey up front, a little vanilla, then a spicy, slightly incense-like finish. That last bit comes from Mizunara, a Japanese oak that is notoriously hard to make into casks and prized for the flavour it gives.
How it's made
The Distiller's Reserve is matured in a mix of casks — American oak for vanilla and honey, Spanish sherry oak for dried fruit and spice, and Japanese Mizunara for that sandalwood note — and bottled at 43%.
How to drink it
Neat with a drop of water, or in a highball: whisky, lots of ice and chilled soda water, stirred once. In Japan the highball is practically a national sport.
Quick questions
- When was Yamazaki distillery founded?
- In 1923 by Shinjiro Torii, which makes it Japan's oldest malt whisky distillery.