Whisky fans around the world will be thrilled to hear that age-marked Yamazaki is back with a bang. This week, Japanese distillery Suntory has announced the return of a classic, in the form of a new Reformulated Yamazaki 25 years aged. With the global appetite for Japanese whisky as high as ever, this new release won’t be available for long.
The beautiful amber-toned blend promises a richer and more complex profile, with a spiced incense and dried-fruit aroma. The tasting notes promise an equally elevated form, opening with Mizunara sandalwood notes before moving into, “complex layers of dried kaki persimmon subtle sweetness, tart yuzu notes with gentle shoga ginger spicy notes.”
The new drop has been aged for at least 25 years in a trio of different types of oak in American, Spanish, and Japanese Mizunara. This will put it in line with the 12 and 18-year-old expressions that have been aged in the same combination of barrels.
RELATED: $470,000 Bottle Of Yamazaki Becomes Most Expensive Japanese Whisky Ever Sold
In charge of this latest offering is fifth-generation Chief Blender Shinji Fukuyo, who cites the recipe for the limited edition Yamazaki 1984 single malt as inspiration for this blend.
“My inspiration for Yamazaki 25 was the Yamazaki 1984 statement that was awarded the ultimate recognition of the Supreme Champion Spirit at the International Spirits Challenge in 2010,” he said.
“We went back to the key component whiskies of Yamazaki. We deliberately chose to feature the depth and profound nature of the notable Japanese Mizunara Oak. For in its meticulous balance with the American and Spanish Oak, Yamazaki’s signature multi-layered taste profile and complex aroma is accentuated.”
It’s exciting news that Yamazaki is continuing to release new blends despite the remarkable success of almost everything the brand has ever bottled. Big Japanese whisky fans will want to move fast. Any Yamazaki, especially age-marked Yamazaki, remains some of the hottest whisky on the planet, with bottles frequently selling over RRP when sold out.
The new Reformulated Yamazaki 25 years aged has an RRP of US$2,000 (AU$2,700).
