Meet The World’s Oldest Japanese Whisky: Yamazaki 55

Final 12 months, within the early months of 2020, proper earlier than the coronavirus pandemic hit New York Metropolis with every thing it’s obtained, Beam Suntory introduced that it was going to launch an outstanding expression in the course of the 12 months: A Yamazaki 55 at 46% ABV, which is the oldest Japanese whisky to ever hit the market. Sadly, that “advance reveal” was solely supposed for residents of Japan, and solely 100 bottles had been produced, full with engraved calligraphy making use of sandblasting methods, that includes real gold mud, and actual lacquer—all of which had been accessible solely by the use of lottery for the nifty sum of $27,000 (or three million yen). That preliminary rollout ensured that true Yamazaki lovers from Japan had a preventing likelihood to get their palms on the dear liquid created of their Motherland. The distillery even acknowledged that every winner would have their names engraved on their bottles to discourage secondary market gross sales.  

Quick ahead slightly greater than a 12 months, and the USA can (lastly) take pleasure in this distinctive Japanese whisky goodness: Similar allocation, similar packaging—however with a heftier price ticket of $60,000. And if you happen to’re fortunate sufficient to have Bezos cash, this shouldn’t be a problem for you.

This time, nonetheless, the massively restricted portions (100 bottles) will now be accessible in different elements of the world: primarily the U.S., UK, France, Mainland China, Taiwan, Australia, Germany, and Singapore—beginning this month. It received’t be straightforward to accumulate, however I can guarantee you that if you happen to’ve obtained the funds, or if you happen to’re a collector, that is one funding I wouldn’t sit out on.

Happily sufficient, I had the pleasure of tasting Yamazaki 55, which is a mix of three distinctive single malts from the Nineteen Sixties: Shinjiro Torii—Yamasaki’s founder—distilled the primary stream within the daybreak of the ’60s and partially aged it in mizunara oak, a deciduous oak pressure that’s endemic to Northeast Asia. The second and third streams, by comparability, had been distilled in 1961 and 1964 underneath the supervision of Suntory’s second grasp blender Keizo Saji—each of which had been aged in American white oak. These three expressions had been then picked and blended by chief blender Shinji Fukuyo in collaboration with Shinjiro Torri’s grandson—the third-generation grasp blender Shingo Torii.

“All through the method of mixing Yamazaki 55, I used as inspiration the passage of time and ‘wabi-sabi—the Japanese perception that imperfections will help to finally contribute to perfection,” Fukuyo mentioned in a press launch. “Whereas I typically view different further aged whiskies as artwork, I contemplate Yamazaki 55 to be extra like a Buddhist statue: calm and mysterious, requiring time to actually take pleasure in interior magnificence.”

And the result’s nothing in need of wonderful.

After a big variety of maturation years, most (however not all) whiskies are likely to lose their vibrancy and luster. At worst, ultra-aged whiskies oftentimes go too far to the purpose of mustiness, a too oak-dominant taste, and an absence the distinguishing profiles that might have made them nice.

Not so with Yamazaki 55, which retains the vitality the distillery is understood for. Even its coloration is vibrant. With this expression, you get hints of fresh-cut grass along with extra tropical flavors comparable to nearly-ripe mangoes, orange zest, ginger chews—all blanketed by the affect of the mizunara, which imparts delicate notes bitter citrus rinds, sandalwood, cedar shavings, and a tinge of sweetness that’s enhanced by the whisky’s mildly candy and lasting end.

Yamazaki 55 is kind of particular in that even a daily malt tasting glass isn’t a adequate sufficient vessel to benefit from the liquid: Suntory recommends that every one imbibers use a Burgundy glass to benefit from the full breadth and depth this advanced whisky has to supply.

Past that, Yamazaki can be donating $5,000 for every bottle of 55 12 months Outdated bought—to profit The White Oak Initiative: “Provided that Yamazaki 55 is partially aged in American white oak casks, we’re proud to accomplice with the White Oak Initiative, which works to make sure the long-term sustainability of American’s white oak and the financial, social, and conservation advantages derived from white oak forests,” say Gardner Dunn, international ambassador at Yamazaki. “Beam Suntory is a founding member of this explicit conservationist group and is dedicated to giving again to our communities that assist us keep our custom of constructing the best high quality whiskies on this planet.”