The House of Suntory has introduced an “extremely limited” quantity of Yamazaki 55 whisky into global travel retail, available at an RRP of US$60,000. Only 100 bottles of the liquid are being released this year.
Yamazaki 55 – the oldest release in the House of Suntory’s history – was bottled last year. According to brand owner Beam Suntory the product pays tribute to the legacy of the founding family of Japanese whisky and celebrates the Japanese Showa era of the 1960s, a major period of change for the House of Suntory.
From this month, 46%ABV Yamazaki 55 will be available in travel retail stores in London, Paris, Hainan, Hong Kong, Taipei, Amsterdam, Seoul, Delhi, Istanbul, Dubai and Singapore.
Beam Suntory will donate US$5,000 for every bottle released in this year’s 100-bottle collection, totalling US$500,000, to The White Oak Initiative, a group associated with the long-term sustainability of America’s white oak forests.
Yamazaki 55 is a blend of single malts, which Beam Suntory described as a testament to the vision and skill of its creators. The expression features components distilled in 1960 under the supervision of Suntory founder Shinjiro Torii and then aged in Mizunara casks; and in 1964 under the direction of Suntory’s second Master Blender Keizo Saji and then aged in white oak casks.
Suntory’s fifth generation Chief Blender Shinji Fukuyo worked closely with third generation Master Blender Shingo Torii to deploy their signature art of blending “to properly reveal the exceptional depth, complexity and wisdom that is Yamazaki 55”, Beam Suntory said.
Fukuyo said: “Throughout the process of blending Yamazaki 55, I used as inspiration the passage of time and Wabi-sabi – the Japanese belief that imperfections can help to ultimately contribute to perfection.
“While I often view other extra-aged whiskies as art, I consider Yamazaki 55 to be more like a Buddhist statue: calm and mysterious, requiring time to truly enjoy the inner beauty.”
Yamazaki 55 is presented in a crystal bottle with the word ‘Yamazaki’ engraved in calligraphy using the technique of sandblasting and featuring real gold dust and lacquer on the age marking.
The bottle opening is wrapped in handmade Echizen washi paper and bound with a Kyo-kumihimo plaited cord, a traditional craft from Kyoto in Japan.
Each bottle is delivered in a bespoke box made from native Japanese Mizunara wood and coated with Suruga lacquer.
Beam Suntory Marketing Director GTR Manuel González said: “We are extremely proud to have the opportunity to offer travellers something as unique and exclusive as Yamazaki 55, the oldest-aged expression from the House of Suntory.
“This highly limited-edition product will be showcased in some of our best House of Suntory locations, and it will be amplified by an integrated activation campaign.
“We are committed to growing global travel retail [business] by reinforcing our innovative offering and bringing the best premium shopper experience to life for our customers.”
Tasting notes
Colour: Deep amber distinctive of Mizunara casks.
Nose: A robust aroma redolent of sandal wood. A sweet, mature bouquet like well-ripened fruit.
Palate: A soft, smooth first sip that blossoms in the mouth with flavour. A mixture of sweet and slightly bitter, followed by a woody note from the Mizunara cask.
Finish: Slightly bitter, a fragrance like scented wood and a hint of smokiness. A sweet, rich, lingering finish.
