The Yamazaki Aged 18 Years is an iconic Japanese single malt and one of Suntory’s true flagship whiskies. Its style is deep, dark-fruited and elegant, with a pronounced sherry influence and long maturation – more like a composed, luxurious dessert in a glass than an everyday dram.
On the nose, you immediately encounter notes of dried fruits such as raisins, figs and prunes, alongside dark chocolate, coffee, orange peel, spicy oak and a gentle nuttiness. There are also subtle hints of incense, sandalwood and an autumnal forest character – leaves, earth and polished wood.
The palate is silky and full-bodied, offering layers of dark chocolate, cocoa, dried fruits, caramelised sugar, espresso and warming spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. Japanese oak (Mizunara) makes its presence felt through notes of incense, cedar, sandalwood and an elegant, almost oriental spiciness. The finish is long, velvety and profound, with lingering cocoa, dark berries, refined oak and a touch of dry, spicy grip that keeps everything beautifully balanced despite the intensity.
This is not an everyday whisky, but a bottle for truly special moments – to share on important occasions, after a long dinner, or when you simply want to sit down in peace and fully appreciate what is in your glass.
About the distillery – Yamazaki Yamazaki is Japan’s first malt whisky distillery, founded in 1923 just outside Kyoto by Shinjiro Torii, the founder of Suntory. The distillery is famous for its humid, misty location at the confluence of three rivers, a microclimate considered ideal for long, gentle maturation. The Yamazaki Aged 18 Years has become a benchmark for Japanese premium whisky and is highly sought after by both collectors and enthusiasts around the world.
