Suntory, The Yamazaki, 12-Year-Old, 100th Anniversary, Single Malt Whisky, Japan (43%)

Due to limited stocks, this spirit has been restricted to two bottles per person.

Yamazaki Distillery was founded in 1923 and has become the iconic Japanese single malt whisky. Indeed, placing it in the top echelon of renowned whisky distilleries would be more than fair. This 12-year-old limited edition Anniversary Release bottling continues to set the standard that others judge themselves against.

This is impeccable from every angle, with sweet nuttiness, complex spice, excellent length and a variety of fruit notes, from orchard to stewed and dried apples. As usual for Yamazaki, part of the maturation is in the fabled Mizunara oak, giving heady top notes to the gloriously coherent whole. There should be a bottle of Yamazaki in the cabinet of every whisky lover, why not make it their limited release Anniversary Edition!

Rob Whitehead, Spirits Buyer, Berry Bros. & Rudd (December 2022)