Yamazaki Suntory 12 Years Old

Yamazaki 12 Years Old is the bottling that established Suntory's single malt on the world stage, distilled at Japan's first malt distillery in the valley of Shimamoto, Osaka Prefecture, in a release intended for Europe. Founded in 1923, Yamazaki built its name on balance and layered fruit, and the twelve year old remains the clearest expression of that reputation.

Matured in Ex-Bourbon wood, the whisky takes its shape from American oak. Fresh orchard fruit and citrus open it, vanilla and a soft nutty sweetness follow, and a faint chocolate note rounds out the finish. At 43% the texture is gentle and composed, neither heavy nor sharp. It is the Yamazaki house style at its most familiar, a single malt that favours harmony and an even hand over any single dominant flavour.