Yamazaki Tsukuriwake Cask Series 2022

From the archives, the 2022 iteration of Yamazaki’s incredibly rare and wildy popular, Tsukuriwake series; which consists of four specially matured Yamazaki single malts – Puncheon, Peated Malt, Spanish Oak and Mizunara cask. Tsukuriwake translates to “artisanship through a diversity of making”; the essence of this is captured by the set, which showcases Yamazaki single malt in four different styles.

The Whiskies

Yamazaki Mizunara Cask

Comprised exclusively of malts that have been extensively aged in mizunara (Japanese oak) casks. These casks, some of the most expensive on Earth to work with, impart a wholely unique flavour profile filled spicy notes and an incense-like flavour of sandalwood and agarwood.

Notes:

Nose: Rich and elegant top note, custard cream, cinnamon

Palate: Gentle on the tongue, aromatic and round with spiced sweet notes

Finish: Distinctive deep woody notes reminiscent of Japanese incense

Yamazaki Spanish Oak

Comprised exclusively of malts that have been matured in high quality oak casks from Northern Spain. The result is a truly rich, decadent whisky.

Notes:

Nose: Dried raisins and prunes, with hints of sundried tomatoes

Palate: Delicately rich and decadent with subtle acidity

Finish: Buttery with lingering acidity and hint of bitterness

Yamazaki Peated Malt

An oddity for Yamazaki; this single is comprised entirely of heavily peated malts; which are masterfully blended to create a delicate whisky with subtle earthy, smoky notes.

Notes:

Nose: Subtly smoky with green herbal notes

Palate: Gently peated with hints of earthiness, pineapple and citrus notes

Finish: Complex with lingering peatiness

Yamazaki Puncheon

Comprised of malts which have been exclusively matured in large (480L), American oak puncheons. These large casks allow for a slower maturation process; inviting greater complexity, vibrance and a more spirit-forward whisky.

Notes:

Nose: Green apple, mature pear, acacia honey with hint of vanilla

Palate: Clean, velvety and mild, with delicate butterscotch notes

Finish: Oaky woodiness with subtle sweetness

Yamazaki was built it 1923 under the guidance of Shinjiro Torii, the founding father of Suntory, with the first whisky running off the stills on November 11 1924 at 11.11am. Initially employing Masataka Taketsuru, who had lived in Scotland to learn the art in the preceding years, Yamazaki enjoyed popularity post World War 2 and is now one of the most famous names in Japanese whisky. 

The distillery has eight wash stills and eight spirit stills, with the wash still direct gas fired and the spirit stills indirect steam heated. Two of the spirit stills have worm tub condensers, all the rest have shell-and-tube. An array of sizes and generally descending lyne arms create a range of spirit styles at the distillery, although whiskies used for the single malt releases are often unpeated with tropical fruits.

Whiskies are matured in a variety of American oak ex-bourbon barrels and Spanish ex-sherry casks as well as Japanese Mizunara oak, although it is believed that less than 200 are able to be made each year making these whiskies very rare. They also use wine and umeshu casks in small amounts.