The 1960s were a notably creative and exciting decade in which many good things were born, including Suntory’s Yamazaki 55 Year Old whisky – the oldest in its history.
The House of Suntory has now released its highly anticipated blend of unique and exquisite single malts. Yamazaki 55 is a whisky whose journey began during the 1960s under the supervision of Suntory’s founder Shinjiro Torii, who built the Yamazaki Distillery in 1923. It stands as Japan’s first and oldest distillery, and is the birthplace of Japanese whisky.
The House of Suntory Distillery
The distillery is nestled in a misty valley at the foot of Mount Tennozan near Kyoto, where the region’s humidity and diverse temperatures, and the exceptionally high-quality mineral water, create the perfect conditions for the making of fine whisky.
Japanese whisky: delicacy, balance and complexity
Japanese distillers follow the Scottish standard for whisky production, but they tread their own path and have their own ways. The unique Japanese whisky palate has three main requirements: delicacy, balance, and complexity.
Chief blender Shinji Fukuyo worked closely with third-generation master blender Shingo Torii, and with their art and wisdom, created a complex spirit of extraordinary depth and splendour.
The deep amber colour is distinctive of the Japanese Mizunara oak casks in which it is first aged; Mizunara is much scarcer and more expensive than European or American oak, and tricky to work with, but skilfully used, it imparts exquisite nuances of flavour. Yamazaki 55 offers notes of sandalwood and ripe tropical fruit; the finish is slightly bitter, yet sweet, rich and smooth, with some lingering smoky peat.
The House of Suntory’s chief blender Shinji Fukuyo with glass of Yamazaki 55 Year Old whisky
Did we mention that Yamazaki 55 is a rare whisky? Presented in an engraved crystal bottle whose neck is wrapped in handmade Echizen washi paper and bound with Kyo Kumihimo braided cord (a traditional Kyoto craft), only 200 bottles exist worldwide, each retailing at $60,000. It is rare indeed, and a fitting tribute to the legacy of the founding family of Japanese whisky.
INFORMATION
-
For her first Rome retrospective, artist Anthea Hamilton reconsiders OthelloIn ‘Soft You,’ now on view at Fondazione Memmo, sensuality and severity coexist.
-
Want to be a Venice pavilion commissioner? Bring ideas – and your RolodexThe impressive showings of the USA's Venice pavilion in the Giardini belie the ambitious fundraising efforts that underpin them. Past and present curators tell us how it works
-
Ma Yansong's latest project is anchored by a gleaming stainless steel 'tornado'The new Fenix museum in Rotterdam, devoted to migration, marks MAD's first European cultural project.
-
Elle Fanning and Sofia Coppola unite on a Japanese craft gin inspired by the seasonsElle Fanning and Sofia Coppola collaborate on a campaign for The House of Suntory’s Roku Gin – a seasonal blend inspired by Japan’s floral botanicals
-
30 years of Nobu: chef Nobu Matsuhisa on the trials and tribulations of a culinary empireNobu celebrates 30 years of its revolutionary Japanese and Peruvian cuisine. We speak with co-founder and chef Nobuyuki ‘Nobu’ Matsuhisa on setbacks, special guests and his love for painting
-
Kioku is a spectacular new Japanese restaurant at The OWO, LondonAt The OWO’s Kioku by Endo, James Bond vibes meet Japanese dining and spectacular London views
-
Spectacular spirits for the season of entertainingOur spirits writer Neil Ridley looks back at some of the year’s most spectacular spirits releases – spanning whisky, cognac, rum and tequila – as thoughts turn to gifting and celebrating
-
Ardray whisky reinterprets Scottish traditions with a Japanese approachArdray whisky is the result of an exciting and groundbreaking collaboration between Scottish and Japanese whisky makers that presents new perspectives on a long-lasting tradition
-
Humo, a new Mayfair restaurant, revolutionises wood-fired cookingMayfair restaurant Humo experiments with different types of wood to create unique and delicious flavours
-
Roketsu offers spectacular Japanese kaiseki cuisine in LondonThe new Japanese restaurant in London serves exceptional kaiseki cuisine in an intimate setting for a little slice of Kyoto in the heart of the UK capital
-
Straight up! The best whiskies bar noneOur whisky edit features some of the world’s rarest and finest examples
