All whiskies / Japan

Yamazaki 12 Year Old

Name: Yamazaki 12 Year Old
Brand: Suntory

山崎 12年

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The benchmark Japanese single malt. Sweet, ripe-fruit aromas meet a mellow, full-bodied palate.

Details

Brand	Suntory
Distillery	Yamazaki
Origin	Japan / Osaka
Style	Single Malt
Age	12 yrs
ABV	43%
Cask	—

Flavour profile

Smoky
Sweet
Fruity
Spicy
Rich

* Editorial estimate.

Tasting notes

Nose: Ripe fruit such as persimmon and peach, with vanilla and honey.
Palate: Smooth and full, with fruity sweetness layered over toasty oak.
Finish: Soft and sweet, with a gentle woodiness lingering.

* Editorial tasting notes.

How to enjoy it

Neat
With water
On the rocks

Sip neat or with a little water to explore the interplay of fruit and oak. With Japanese food, mizuwari (whisky and water) is a classic way to drink it.

Food pairing

Simmered Japanese dishes or sukiyaki; roast pork or cheese. Also lovely with Japanese sweets after dinner.

Background & production

Made at Yamazaki Distillery at the foot of Mount Tenno, on the border of Osaka and Kyoto. Construction began in 1923, making it Japan's first full-scale malt whisky distillery.

The Yamazaki single malt was born on 14 March 1984, created as a delicate single malt suited to Japanese palates and distinct from Scotch.

The 12 Year Old is the core of the range, bottled at 43%. In 2024 it won the Supreme Champion Spirit award at the International Spirits Challenge (ISC).