Exclusive Japanese Whisky Auction

Yamazaki 50 Year Old

Whisky Auctioneer are delighted to present this spectacular expression of Yamazaki 50 year old at auction. Once considered the pinnacle of Japanese whisky production, this bottle is now accepted as being one of the most desirable and sought after in the world. 

The first edition of this iconic bottle became the most valuable Japanese whisky ever sold at auction when it sold for over £250,000 in August 2018. This is the third release, and is one of only 150 bottles unveiled in 2011.

Matured in the finest Japanese mizunara oak casks, the 50 year old is thought to be the oldest expression available from the distillery, which was established in 1923 by Shinjiro Torii.

The etched bottle is topped with Japanese washi paper, and tied with scarlet and gold cord. 

Yamazaki 1984 Single Cask #WE2007

A stunning circa thirty-four year old single cask Yamazaki, distilled in 1984 and bottled in 2018.

Rumoured to be one of the last releases in the Suntory single cask series.

Suntory’s flagship distillery, Yamazaki distillery was founded by Shinjiro Torii in 1923.

The town of Yamazaki was chosen to be the site of Japan’s first commercial distillery due to its very ‘Scottish’ climate and with it being an area where three rivers converge.

The first spirit ran from the stills in 1924, on 11th November at 11:11am.

Interestingly, not all of Suntory's whisky is matured at the distillery where it was produced. Larger casks such as butts and puncheons are kept at Yamazaki due to its warmer temperatures, whereas the colder climate at Hakushu distillery is better suited to Suntory's smaller casks such as barrels and hogsheads.

The majority of casks however are kept at Suntory's Ohmi Ageing Cellar, a vast warehouse situated forty miles northwest of Yamazaki. In addition to efficiently harnessing climatic conditions, this arrangement also prevents an entire distillery’s stock being lost in the event of a natural disaster – a serious possibility in an earthquake-prone area such as Japan.

Yamazaki 1986 Owner's Cask #6G5020 / Bar Barns 5th Anniversary

Single cask Yamazaki are very rare and hard to find these days.

This single cask was distilled in 1986 and matured in Mizunara butt #6G5020 until bottling in 2007 for the 5th anniversary of Bar Barns in Nagoya, Japan. 

One of 244 bottles.

Yamazaki 25 Year Old

As we all know, Yamazaki has ascended into the position of one of the most desirable and sought after whiskies in the world.

This 25 year old is matured exclusively in the finest Oloroso sherry casks and presented in a very elegant, simple box.

Bottle number 23630

Yamazaki 25 Year Old

As we all know, Yamazaki has ascended into the position of one of the most desirable and sought after whiskies in the world.

This 25 year old is matured exclusively in the finest Oloroso sherry casks and presented in a very elegant, simple box.

Yoichi 1986 20 Year Old

A stunning release of Yoichi, the flagship distillery of Masataka Taketsuru's Nikka. 

Yoichi are famous for insisting on coal-firing their stills, and spent a vast sum on a filter to reduce the environmental impact of doing so. The distillery felt that taking the cheaper option and switching to steam or electricity would have a detrimental effect on the character of their spirit, so maintained their coal-firing methods. 

This expression won 'Best Japanese Malt' at the 2007 World Whiskies Awards, and is a combination of unpeated malt matured in new oak, as well as heavily peated malt matured in refill casks. 

Yamazaki Sherry Cask 2013

Matured in Oloroso sherry casks for between 12 and 15 years , this whisky won 'Best Whisky in the World' according to Jim Murray and his Whisky Bible the year it was released.

Approximately 16,000 bottles were released.

Yamazaki Sherry Cask 2013

Matured in Oloroso sherry casks for between 12 and 15 years , this whisky won 'Best Whisky in the World' according to Jim Murray and his Whisky Bible the year it was released.

Approximately 16,000 bottles were released.

Yoichi 1987 20 Year Old

A stunning release of Yoichi, the flagship distillery of Masataka Taketsuru's Nikka. 

Yoichi are famous for insisting on coal-firing their stills, and spent a vast sum on a filter to reduce the environmental impact of doing so. The distillery felt that taking the cheaper option and switching to steam or electricity would have a detrimental effect on the character of their spirit, so maintained their coal-firing methods. 

This expression is a combination of sherry matured whisky, lightly peated malt in refill casks and heavily peated malt in new casks. 

Yamazaki Sherry Cask 2016

This Yamazaki was matured in Oloroso sherry casks, and is composed of whisky aged up to 25 years old, all vatted together by chief blender Shinji Fukuyo.

This bottling is the follow up to the famous 2013 release which won 'Best Whisky in the World' according to Jim Murray and his Whisky Bible.

5000 bottles were produced which is less than third of the quantity of the previous release of Yamazaki Sherry Cask, of which there were approximately 16,000 bottles.

Yamazaki Sherry Cask 2009 / First Release

The original release of Yamazaki sherry cask, released back in 2009.

Matured in Oloroso sherry casks for between 12 and 15 years, the 2013 bottling recently won 'Best Whisky in the World' according to Jim Murray and his Whisky Bible.

Suntory’s flagship distillery, Yamazaki distillery was founded by Shinjiro Torii in 1923.

The town of Yamazaki was chosen to be the site of Japan’s first commercial distillery due to its very ‘Scottish’ climate and with it being an area where three rivers converge.

The first spirit ran from the stills in 1924, on 11th November at 11:11am.

Interestingly, not all of Suntory's whisky is matured at the distillery where it was produced. Larger casks such as butts and puncheons are kept at Yamazaki due to its warmer temperatures, whereas the colder climate at Hakushu distillery is better suited to Suntory's smaller casks such as barrels and hogsheads.

The majority of casks however are kept at Suntory's Ohmi Ageing Cellar, a vast warehouse situated forty miles northwest of Yamazaki. In addition to efficiently harnessing climatic conditions, this arrangement also prevents an entire distillery’s stock being lost in the event of a natural disaster – a serious possibility in an earthquake-prone area such as Japan.

Yamazaki Sherry Cask 2009 / First Release

The original release of Yamazaki sherry cask, released back in 2009.

Matured in Oloroso sherry casks for between 12 and 15 years, the 2013 bottling recently won 'Best Whisky in the World' according to Jim Murray and his Whisky Bible.

Yamazaki Sherry Cask 2016

This Yamazaki was matured in Oloroso sherry casks, and is composed of whisky aged up to 25 years old, all vatted together by chief blender Shinji Fukuyo.

This bottling is the follow up to the famous 2013 release which won 'Best Whisky in the World' according to Jim Murray and his Whisky Bible.

5000 bottles were produced which is less than third of the quantity of the previous release of Yamazaki Sherry Cask, of which there were approximately 16,000 bottles.

Yamazaki Sherry Cask 2009 / First Release

The original release of Yamazaki sherry cask, released back in 2009.

Matured in Oloroso sherry casks for between 12 and 15 years, the 2013 bottling recently won 'Best Whisky in the World' according to Jim Murray and his Whisky Bible.

Yamazaki 18 Year Old Mizunara Oak 2017 Edition

An 18 year old malt from the oldest whisky distillery in Japan. In order to create the expression, Suntory’s chief blender Shinji Fukuyo tasted a hundreds of mizunara-matured whiskies and selected casks with varying ages.

Mizunara oak is incredibly rare.

Yamazaki 18 Year Old Mizunara Oak 2017 Edition

An 18 year old malt from the oldest whisky distillery in Japan. In order to create the expression, Suntory’s chief blender Shinji Fukuyo tasted a hundreds of Mizunara-matured whiskies and selected casks with varying ages.

Mizunara oak is incredibly rare.

Yamazaki 18 Year Old Mizunara Oak 2017 Edition

An 18 year old malt from the oldest whisky distillery in Japan. In order to create the expression, Suntory’s chief blender Shinji Fukuyo tasted a hundreds of Mizunara-matured whiskies and selected casks with varying ages.

Mizunara oak is incredibly rare.

Yoichi 1989 20 Year Old

A stunning release of Yoichi, the flagship distillery of Masataka Taketsuru's Nikka. 

Yoichi are famous for insisting on coal-firing their stills, and spent a vast sum on a filter to reduce the environmental impact of doing so. The distillery felt that taking the cheaper option and switching to steam or electricity would have a detrimental effect on the character of their spirit, so maintained their coal-firing methods. 

This expression is a combination of light and heavily peated malt, and has been matured in a combination of re-charred casks, new oak and sherry butts. 

Yoichi 1988 20 Year Old

A stunning release of Yoichi, the flagship distillery of Masataka Taketsuru's Nikka. 

Yoichi are famous for insisting on coal-firing their stills, and spent a vast sum on a filter to reduce the environmental impact of doing so. The distillery felt that taking the cheaper option and switching to steam or electricity would have a detrimental effect on the character of their spirit, so maintained their coal-firing methods. 

New oak and refill casks are used for this expression, as well as bourbon barrels and sherry butts in combination with heavily peated whisky matured in new casks.  

Yamazaki 18 Year Old Mizunara Oak 2017 Edition

An 18 year old malt from the oldest whisky distillery in Japan. In order to create the expression, Suntory’s chief blender Shinji Fukuyo tasted a hundreds of mizunara-matured whiskies and selected casks with varying ages.

Mizunara oak is incredibly rare.

Yoichi 1990 20 Year Old

A stunning release of Yoichi, the flagship distillery of Masataka Taketsuru's Nikka. 

Yoichi are famous for insisting on coal-firing their stills, and spent a vast sum on a filter to reduce the environmental impact of doing so. The distillery felt that taking the cheaper option and switching to steam or electricity would have a detrimental effect on the character of their spirit, so maintained their coal-firing methods. 

This expression is said to have a 'rich, deep aroma' with a lasting peaty character. 

Yamazaki 2000 Single Cask #EP70645 / Mixology

This Yamazaki was distilled in 2000 and matured in hogshead #P70645 at the Ohmi Aging Cellar. 

Bottled in 2011, this is bottle number 155.

Yoichi 1987 SMWS 25 Year Old 116.17

'Pin-ball wizard in Japanese tea house.'

A Scotch Malt Whisky Society bottling of Yoichi, distilled on the 20th March 1987 and matured in a virgin oak butt.

Limited to 485 bottles.

Yamazaki  1989 SMWS 19 Year Old 119.10

\"I wish it could be Christmas every day\"

A single cask offering from Suntory's Yamazaki distillery, bottled by the Scotch Malt Whisky Society.

Matured in a first-fill Spanish oak sherry butt.

One of 465 bottles. 

Yamazaki 2003 SMWS 11 Year Old 119.10

'I wish it could be Christmas every day'

A single cask offering from Suntory's Yamazaki distillery, bottled by the Scotch Malt Whisky Society.

Matured in a first-fill Spanish oak sherry butt.

One of 465 bottles. 

Yamazaki 1993 Owner's Cask #3P70268 / Liqueur Shop Naganoya

A single cask of Yamazaki release from Suntory's flagship distillery.

Distilled in 1993 and bottled in 2007 for Naganoya Liqueur Store in Tokyo.

Drawn from a hogshead #3P70268 which was laid to rest in the Ohmi Aging Cellar.

Bottle 6 of 188.

Yamazaki Mizunara Cask 2012

Yamazaki has been thrust into the spot light after their Sherry Cask release of 2013 received the title of Best Whisky in the World title from Jim Murray.  

They release several other limited annual releases including this Mizunara matured bottling.    

Mizunara (Japanese Oak) is famous for imparting its own characteristics onto the whisky stored within them such as sandalwood and other notes.  

Yamazaki Mizunara Cask 2013

Yamazaki has been thrust into the spotlight after their Sherry Cask release of 2013 received the title of Best Whisky in the World title from Jim Murray.  

They have released several other limited annual editions including this Mizunara matured bottling.    

Mizunara (Japanese Oak) is famous for imparting it's own characteristics onto the whisky stored within them such as sandalwood and other notes.  

Yamazaki 2003 SMWS 11 Year Old 119.14

'Raspberry Imperial Stout'

A single cask offering from Suntory's Yamazaki distillery, bottled by the Scotch Malt Whisky Society. Distilled in April 2003 and then matured for 11 years in a first fill Spanish \"Bota Corta\" Sherry cask.

One of 538 bottles.

Yamazaki 18 Year Old Miniature 3cl

A 5cl miniature from Suntory's Yamazaki distillery.

The 18 year old is a fantastic expression.

Yamazaki 18 Year Old Miniature 3cl

A 5cl miniature from Suntory's Yamazaki distillery.

The 18 year old is a fantastic expression.

Yoichi 1987 Single Cask #113200

A single cask bottling from Nikka's flagship Yoichi distillery. Distilled on 19th July 1987 and bottled on 27th July 2006. 

Single cask #113200 was matured in Warehouse No.15.