{"title":"YAMAZAKI — BRAND","description":"\u003cstyle\u003e\n.mw-master-container{\n  --mw-accent: #D5A86F;   \/* metallic foil — warm gold script \u0026 label *\/\n  --mw-glow:   #88230F;   \/* power color — deep sherried red *\/\n  --mw-bg:     #0E0807;   \/* deep lowlight — near-black *\/\n  --mw-text:#e0e0e0; --mw-muted:#b8b8b8; --mw-hair:#222;\n  font-family: inherit; background:var(--mw-bg); color:var(--mw-text);\n  line-height:1.7; padding:24px; margin-bottom:60px;\n}\n.mw-master-container .mw-h3{ color:var(--mw-accent); font-weight:bold; text-transform:uppercase;\n  font-size:0.9rem; letter-spacing:2px; margin-top:40px; display:block;\n  border-bottom:1px solid var(--mw-glow); padding-bottom:8px; margin-bottom:20px; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-accent{ color:var(--mw-accent); font-weight:bold; text-decoration:none; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-accent:hover{ color:#fff; text-decoration:underline; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-info-box{ background:linear-gradient(90deg, var(--mw-bg) 0%, var(--mw-glow) 100%);\n  padding:25px; margin:25px 0; border-radius:0 4px 4px 0; border:1px solid var(--mw-hair);\n  border-left:4px solid var(--mw-accent); }\n.mw-master-container .mw-grid{ display:grid; grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr; gap:30px; margin:30px 0; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-card{ background:rgba(255,255,255,0.02); padding:25px;\n  border:1px solid var(--mw-glow); border-radius:4px; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-table{ width:100%; border-collapse:collapse; margin-top:15px; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-table td{ padding:14px 0; border-bottom:1px solid var(--mw-hair);\n  color:#ccc; font-size:0.95rem; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-table td:first-child{ font-weight:bold; width:40%; color:var(--mw-accent);\n  text-transform:uppercase; font-size:0.75rem; letter-spacing:1px; }\n.mw-master-container details{ background:rgba(255,255,255,0.03); border:1px solid var(--mw-hair);\n  border-radius:4px; margin-bottom:15px; }\n.mw-master-container summary{ padding:18px; color:var(--mw-accent); font-weight:bold; cursor:pointer;\n  outline:none; list-style:none; display:flex; justify-content:space-between; align-items:center;\n  text-transform:uppercase; letter-spacing:1px; font-size:0.85rem; }\n.mw-master-container summary::after{ content:'+'; font-size:1.2rem; }\n.mw-master-container details[open]{ border:1px solid var(--mw-accent); }\n.mw-master-container details[open] summary::after{ content:'-'; }\n.mw-master-container .details-content{ padding:0 20px 20px 20px; font-size:0.95rem; }\n@media (max-width:768px){ .mw-master-container .mw-grid{ grid-template-columns:1fr; } }\n\u003c\/style\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"mw-master-container\"\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv class=\"speakable\"\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eYamazaki is the birthplace of Japanese whisky — the single malt from Japan's first distillery, opened by Suntory's Shinjiro Torii in 1923 near Kyoto. Its Yamazaki 12 was the country's first single malt, and a sherried 2013 release was named World Whisky of the Year in 2015. Layered and elegant, often built on Japanese mizunara oak, it remains both pioneer and benchmark. This page gathers the Yamazaki expressions in the vault, from the core 12, 18 and 25 to the cask editions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003cspan class=\"mw-h3\"\u003eThe Distillery\u003c\/span\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"mw-info-box\"\u003e\n    \u003cul style=\"margin:0; padding-left:20px; font-size:0.95rem;\"\u003e\n      \u003cli\u003eJapan's \u003cstrong\u003efirst and oldest\u003c\/strong\u003e malt whisky distillery — founded \u003cstrong\u003e1923\u003c\/strong\u003e by Suntory's Shinjiro Torii.\u003c\/li\u003e\n      \u003cli\u003eAt the foot of \u003cstrong\u003eMount Tennōzan near Kyoto\u003c\/strong\u003e, where the Katsura, Uji and Kizu rivers meet — chosen for soft water and a misty climate.\u003c\/li\u003e\n      \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMasataka Taketsuru\u003c\/strong\u003e, later the founder of Nikka, was its first distillery manager.\u003c\/li\u003e\n      \u003cli\u003eA dozen stills of varying shapes make many spirit styles in-house; maturation spans \u003cstrong\u003eAmerican oak, Spanish sherry and mizunara\u003c\/strong\u003e (Japanese oak).\u003c\/li\u003e\n      \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eYamazaki 12 (1984)\u003c\/strong\u003e was Japan's first single malt; Yamazaki is the best-selling single malt in Japan.\u003c\/li\u003e\n      \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMizunara\u003c\/strong\u003e — first used here during WWII when sherry casks ran short — is a Yamazaki signature.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003c\/ul\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv class=\"mw-grid\"\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"mw-card\"\u003e\n      \u003cspan class=\"mw-accent\" style=\"font-size:0.75rem; text-transform:uppercase; letter-spacing:1px;\"\u003eThe Birthplace of Japanese Whisky\u003c\/span\u003e\n      \u003cdiv style=\"margin-top:20px; font-size:0.9rem;\" class=\"speakable\"\u003e\n        \u003cp\u003eShinjiro Torii founded what became Suntory in 1899, selling Western-style spirits and the sweet Akadama wine. Convinced Japan could make a great whisky suited to its own palate, he built Yamazaki in 1923 — the country's first distillery — and hired the Scotland-trained Masataka Taketsuru to run it. The first bottling, Suntory Shirofuda, arrived in 1929 to a quiet reception; success came with Kakubin in 1937. A century on, Yamazaki is where Japanese whisky began, and still a benchmark for it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n      \u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"mw-card\"\u003e\n      \u003cspan class=\"mw-accent\" style=\"font-size:0.75rem; text-transform:uppercase; letter-spacing:1px;\"\u003eRivers, Stills and Mizunara\u003c\/span\u003e\n      \u003cp style=\"font-size:0.90rem; margin-top:20px;\"\u003eThe site sits in a misty valley where three rivers converge, giving soft water and humidity that suit maturation. Inside, a dozen stills of different shapes and sizes let the distillery make a wide spread of spirit styles in-house, which are then aged across American oak, Spanish sherry and mizunara. That Japanese oak — first pressed into service in wartime — lends the incense and sandalwood notes collectors prize, and is much of what makes Yamazaki taste like nowhere else.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003cdetails\u003e\n    \u003csummary\u003eThe Expressions\u003c\/summary\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"details-content\"\u003e\n      \u003cp style=\"font-size:0.9rem; margin-bottom:6px; margin-top:0;\"\u003eThe Yamazaki range in the vault — we link each as it's added:\u003c\/p\u003e\n      \u003ctable class=\"mw-table\" style=\"margin-top:0;\"\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"2\" style=\"color:var(--mw-accent); font-weight:bold; text-transform:uppercase; letter-spacing:1px; font-size:0.8rem; padding-top:6px; border-bottom:1px solid var(--mw-glow);\"\u003eCore\u003c\/td\u003e\u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"[PASTE_YAMAZAKI_12_URL]\" class=\"mw-accent\"\u003eYamazaki 12 Year\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eJapan's first single malt (1984)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"[PASTE_YAMAZAKI_18_URL]\" class=\"mw-accent\"\u003eYamazaki 18 Year\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDeeply sherried; the flagship aged release\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/yamazaki-25-year-japanese-whisky\" class=\"mw-accent\"\u003eYamazaki 25 Year\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMahogany, rich and rare\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"[PASTE_YAMAZAKI_DR_URL]\" class=\"mw-accent\"\u003eYamazaki Distiller's Reserve\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNo age statement; the entry to the range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"2\" style=\"color:var(--mw-accent); font-weight:bold; text-transform:uppercase; letter-spacing:1px; font-size:0.8rem; padding-top:22px; border-bottom:1px solid var(--mw-glow);\"\u003eCask Editions\u003c\/td\u003e\u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"[PASTE_YAMAZAKI_MIZUNARA_URL]\" class=\"mw-accent\"\u003eYamazaki Mizunara\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eJapanese-oak matured\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"[PASTE_YAMAZAKI_SHERRY_URL]\" class=\"mw-accent\"\u003eYamazaki Sherry Cask\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eThe 2013 was World Whisky of the Year (2015)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"[PASTE_YAMAZAKI_BOURBON_URL]\" class=\"mw-accent\"\u003eYamazaki Bourbon Barrel\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAmerican-oak matured\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n      \u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\n      \u003cp style=\"margin-top:18px; font-size:0.9rem; margin-bottom:0;\"\u003eYamazaki sits within the wider \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/japanese-whisky\" class=\"mw-accent\"\u003eJapanese whisky\u003c\/a\u003e collection, alongside its Suntory stablemates Hakushu and Hibiki. For the tradition it was modelled on, see \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/scotch\" class=\"mw-accent\"\u003esingle malt Scotch\u003c\/a\u003e, or browse \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/best-sellers\" class=\"mw-accent\"\u003eour best sellers\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003c\/details\u003e\n\n  \u003cdetails\u003e\n    \u003csummary\u003eCollector Note\u003c\/summary\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"details-content\"\u003e\n      \u003cp style=\"margin:0;\"\u003eYamazaki is among the most collected whiskies in the world. When global demand outran supply, age-stated 12, 18 and 25 became hard to find and climbed in price, and the cask editions — especially the Sherry Cask 2013 and the Mizunara releases — trade well above issue. Authenticity matters as much as anything here, since high prices attract counterfeits: age, edition, fill level and condition all shape what a bottle is worth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003c\/details\u003e\n\n  \u003cdetails\u003e\n    \u003csummary\u003eHow Yamazaki Is Made\u003c\/summary\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"details-content\"\u003e\u003cp style=\"margin:0;\"\u003eYamazaki draws soft water from a valley where three rivers meet and ferments in wooden washbacks before distilling in a dozen pot stills of deliberately varied shapes and sizes — the range of stills is how one distillery produces so many different spirit characters. Those spirits then mature across American oak, Spanish sherry and Japanese mizunara, in a climate whose swings of temperature and humidity Suntory calls its own kind of maturation. Blending those many components is what gives Yamazaki its layered, elegant style; mizunara is the cask that makes it unmistakably Japanese.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003c\/details\u003e\n  \n  \u003cdetails\u003e\n    \u003csummary\u003eAuthentication \u0026amp; Vault Preservation\u003c\/summary\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"details-content\"\u003e\n      \u003cp style=\"margin:0;\"\u003eEvery Yamazaki bottle sold through Midnight Whiskey is sourced as an authorized, authentic retailer, vault-stored and insured, shipped with protective handling and age-verified 21-and-over signature on delivery, and authenticated by our concierge before it ships. For the details, see \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/about-the-vault\" class=\"mw-accent\"\u003ehow each bottle is checked and verified\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/the-vault-concierge\" class=\"mw-accent\"\u003evault storage and our concierge\u003c\/a\u003e, and \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/faq\" class=\"mw-accent\"\u003eshipping, sourcing and more\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003c\/details\u003e\n  \n  \u003cdetails\u003e\n    \u003csummary\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/summary\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"details-content\"\u003e\n      \u003cp style=\"margin-top:0;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is Yamazaki whisky?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYamazaki is the single malt from Japan's first and oldest whisky distillery, founded by Suntory's Shinjiro Torii in 1923 at the foot of Mount Tennōzan near Kyoto. It's the whisky that began the Japanese category — and, in the form of Yamazaki 12, the first Japanese single malt, launched in 1984. Made with a wide range of still shapes and cask types, including Japanese mizunara oak, it's known for an elegant, layered style and is the best-selling single malt in Japan.\u003c\/p\u003e\n      \u003cp style=\"margin-top:14px; margin-bottom:0;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat's special about the Yamazaki distillery and its casks?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTorii chose the site where the Katsura, Uji and Kizu rivers meet, for its soft water and misty, humid climate — conditions that suit slow maturation. The distillery runs a dozen stills of different shapes to make many spirit styles in-house, then matures across American oak, Spanish sherry and mizunara, the prized Japanese oak first used here during the Second World War when sherry casks ran short. One of its sherried releases, the Yamazaki Sherry Cask 2013, was named World Whisky of the Year in Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2015.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003c\/details\u003e\n\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e\n{\n  \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n  \"@graph\": [\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"CollectionPage\",\n      \"@id\": \"https:\/\/midnightwhiskey.com\/collections\/yamazaki#collectionpage\",\n      \"name\": \"Yamazaki\",\n      \"description\": \"Yamazaki — single malt Japanese whisky from the Yamazaki Distillery, Japan's first and oldest, founded by Suntory's Shinjiro Torii in 1923 near Kyoto. 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It's the whisky that began the Japanese category — and, in the form of Yamazaki 12, the first Japanese single malt, launched in 1984. Made with a wide range of still shapes and cask types, including Japanese mizunara oak, it's known for an elegant, layered style and is the best-selling single malt in Japan.\" }\n        },\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"Question\",\n          \"name\": \"What's special about the Yamazaki distillery and its casks?\",\n          \"acceptedAnswer\": { \"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Torii chose the site where the Katsura, Uji and Kizu rivers meet, for its soft water and misty, humid climate — conditions that suit slow maturation. The distillery runs a dozen stills of different shapes to make many spirit styles in-house, then matures across American oak, Spanish sherry and mizunara, the prized Japanese oak first used here during the Second World War when sherry casks ran short. One of its sherried releases, the Yamazaki Sherry Cask 2013, was named World Whisky of the Year in Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2015.\" }\n        }\n      ]\n    }\n  ]\n}\n\u003c\/script\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"yamazaki-12-year","title":"The Yamazaki 12 Year Old Single Malt Japanese Whisky — Suntory Flagship, 43% ABV","description":"\u003cstyle\u003e\n.mw-master-container{\n  --mw-accent: #A98664;   \/* metallic foil  *\/\n  --mw-glow:   #BD4302;   \/* power color    *\/\n  --mw-bg:     #1B110A;   \/* deep lowlight  *\/\n  --mw-text:#e0e0e0; --mw-muted:#a89a85; --mw-hair:#2c1d12;\n  font-family: inherit; background:var(--mw-bg); color:var(--mw-text);\n  line-height:1.7; padding:24px; margin-bottom:60px;\n}\n.mw-master-container .mw-h3{ color:var(--mw-accent); font-weight:bold; text-transform:uppercase;\n  font-size:0.9rem; letter-spacing:2px; margin-top:40px; display:block;\n  border-bottom:1px solid var(--mw-glow); padding-bottom:8px; margin-bottom:20px; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-accent{ color:var(--mw-accent); font-weight:bold; text-decoration:none; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-accent:hover{ color:#fff; text-decoration:underline; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-info-box{ background:linear-gradient(90deg, var(--mw-bg) 0%, var(--mw-glow) 100%);\n  padding:25px; margin:25px 0; border-radius:0 4px 4px 0; border:1px solid var(--mw-hair);\n  border-left:4px solid var(--mw-accent); }\n.mw-master-container .mw-grid{ display:grid; grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr; gap:30px; margin:30px 0; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-card{ background:rgba(255,255,255,0.02); padding:25px;\n  border:1px solid var(--mw-glow); border-radius:4px; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-table{ width:100%; border-collapse:collapse; margin-top:15px; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-table td{ padding:14px 0; border-bottom:1px solid var(--mw-hair);\n  color:#ccc; font-size:0.95rem; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-table td:first-child{ font-weight:bold; width:38%; color:var(--mw-accent);\n  text-transform:uppercase; font-size:0.75rem; letter-spacing:1px; }\n.mw-master-container details{ background:rgba(255,255,255,0.03); border:1px solid var(--mw-hair);\n  border-radius:4px; margin-bottom:15px; }\n.mw-master-container summary{ padding:18px; color:var(--mw-accent); font-weight:bold; cursor:pointer;\n  outline:none; list-style:none; display:flex; justify-content:space-between; align-items:center;\n  text-transform:uppercase; letter-spacing:1px; font-size:0.85rem; }\n.mw-master-container summary::after{ content:'+'; font-size:1.2rem; }\n.mw-master-container details[open]{ border:1px solid var(--mw-accent); }\n.mw-master-container details[open] summary::after{ content:'-'; }\n.mw-master-container .details-content{ padding:0 20px 20px 20px; font-size:0.95rem; }\n@media (max-width:768px){ .mw-master-container .mw-grid{ grid-template-columns:1fr; } }\n\u003c\/style\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"mw-master-container\"\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv class=\"speakable\"\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eThe Yamazaki 12 Year is the original single malt from Suntory's Yamazaki Distillery, the first and oldest malt whisky distillery in Japan, and the line's benchmark age statement. A Japanese single malt bottled at 43% ABV (86 proof), it is matured for twelve years in a combination of American ex-bourbon oak, Spanish Oloroso sherry, and Japanese Mizunara oak. That blend gives it a fruit-forward character: peach, pineapple, and grapefruit, with candied orange and vanilla, and the clove-and-sandalwood signature that Mizunara oak lends. Pure gold in the glass, it carries coconut, cranberry, and butter on the palate, with honeyed sweetness and gentle spice, and a long, sweet finish of ginger and cinnamon. It is the younger, lighter counterpart to the Yamazaki 18, and one of the most allocated Japanese whiskies released.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003cspan class=\"mw-h3\"\u003eThe Elemental Distinction\u003c\/span\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"mw-info-box\"\u003e\n    \u003cul style=\"margin:0; padding-left:20px; font-size:0.95rem;\"\u003e\n      \u003cli\u003eThe original Yamazaki single malt, launched in 1984 — the benchmark age statement of the line.\u003c\/li\u003e\n      \u003cli\u003eAged 12 years and bottled at 43% ABV (86 proof).\u003c\/li\u003e\n      \u003cli\u003eA balanced three-cask blend: American ex-bourbon oak, Spanish Oloroso sherry, and rare Japanese Mizunara oak.\u003c\/li\u003e\n      \u003cli\u003eFruit-forward and layered — peach, pineapple, grapefruit, coconut, and the sandalwood signature of Mizunara.\u003c\/li\u003e\n      \u003cli\u003eFrom Yamazaki, Japan's first and oldest malt distillery (1923); meets the JSLMA Japanese-whisky standard. 700 ml as labeled.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003c\/ul\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv class=\"mw-grid\"\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"mw-card\"\u003e\n      \u003cspan class=\"mw-accent\" style=\"font-size:0.75rem; text-transform:uppercase; letter-spacing:1px;\"\u003eSensory Profile\u003c\/span\u003e\n      \u003cdiv style=\"margin-top:20px; font-size:0.9rem;\" class=\"speakable\"\u003e\n        \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNose:\u003c\/strong\u003e Peach, pineapple, and grapefruit, with candied orange, vanilla, and the clove and sandalwood of Mizunara oak.\u003c\/p\u003e\n        \u003cp style=\"margin-top:10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePalate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Coconut, cranberry, and butter, with honeyed sweetness and gentle spice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n        \u003cp style=\"margin-top:10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e Long and sweet, with ginger and cinnamon.\u003c\/p\u003e\n      \u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"mw-card\"\u003e\n      \u003cspan class=\"mw-accent\" style=\"font-size:0.75rem; text-transform:uppercase; letter-spacing:1px;\"\u003eStrategic Position\u003c\/span\u003e\n      \u003cp style=\"font-size:0.90rem; margin-top:20px;\"\u003eThe benchmark age statement and the lighter counterpart to \u003ca href=\"\/products\/yamazaki-18-year\" class=\"mw-accent\"\u003ethe older 18-year expression\u003c\/a\u003e. Browse \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/japanese-whisky\" class=\"mw-accent\"\u003ethe rest of our Japanese whisky\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/whisky\" class=\"mw-accent\"\u003ethe broader whisky selection\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003cdetails\u003e\n    \u003csummary\u003eTechnical Specifications\u003c\/summary\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"details-content\"\u003e\n      \u003ctable class=\"mw-table\" style=\"margin-top:0;\"\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBrand \/ Producer\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eThe Yamazaki (Suntory) — the original single malt, launched 1984\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDistillery\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYamazaki Distillery, Shimamoto, Osaka Prefecture, Japan — founded 1923, the oldest in Japan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCategory\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eJapanese Single Malt Whisky (100% malted barley, pot-distilled)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCask Types\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAmerican ex-bourbon oak, Spanish Oloroso sherry, and Japanese Mizunara oak\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eABV \/ Proof\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e43% ABV (86 proof)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAge Statement\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e12 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eColor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePure gold\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBottle Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e700 ml (70cl) as labeled — confirm 700 ml vs 750 ml for the US SKU\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eJapan (Osaka Prefecture)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePosition In Line\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eThe benchmark age statement — the younger expression below the 18 Year\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eStandard\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMeets the JSLMA Japanese-whisky labeling standard\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n      \u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003c\/details\u003e\n\n  \u003cdetails\u003e\n    \u003csummary\u003eCollector Note\u003c\/summary\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"details-content\"\u003e\n      \u003cp style=\"margin:0;\"\u003eThe Yamazaki 12 is where the modern Japanese single-malt story begins. Launched in 1984, it was the original Yamazaki expression and remains the line's benchmark age statement — the bottle most drinkers meet first. Suntory's Yamazaki Distillery opened in 1923 on the outskirts of Kyoto, on a site Shinjiro Torii chose for its pure water and its long association with the Japanese tea ceremony, where the tea master Sen no Rikyu once worked. The 12 Year draws its character from three woods — American ex-bourbon oak for fruit and vanilla, Spanish Oloroso sherry for depth, and a measure of scarce Japanese Mizunara oak for the sandalwood and incense that has become the distillery's signature. Aged Japanese whisky has grown genuinely scarce, and the 12 is among the most allocated releases on the market. As the foundation of any Japanese-whisky shelf and the natural partner to the 18 Year, it is a collectible cornerstone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003c\/details\u003e\n\n  \u003cdetails\u003e\n    \u003csummary\u003eRecommended Serving\u003c\/summary\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"details-content\"\u003e\n      \u003cp style=\"margin:0;\"\u003ePour it neat in a tulip glass to read the fruit and the Mizunara spice, then add a few drops of water to open the aromatics further. The 12 is also the Yamazaki most at home in a Japanese highball — over ice, topped with chilled sparkling water and a twist — which keeps the peach and citrus bright for an aperitif. At 43% it takes a single cube of ice comfortably; just avoid drowning the gentle spice that the cask blend builds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003c\/details\u003e\n\n  \u003cdetails\u003e\n    \u003csummary\u003eProduction Methodology\u003c\/summary\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"details-content\"\u003e\n      \u003cp style=\"margin:0;\"\u003eYamazaki is a single malt: made entirely from malted barley and pot-distilled at one distillery, founded by Shinjiro Torii in 1923 in Shimamoto, Osaka Prefecture, where a humid climate and the pure water at the meeting of three rivers suit maturation. The 12 Year is matured for twelve years across three cask types and married together: American ex-bourbon oak brings fruit, vanilla, and coconut; Spanish Oloroso sherry casks add dried and dark fruit; and a portion of Japanese Mizunara oak — a scarce, demanding wood that asks for trees two centuries old — lends sandalwood, incense, and Japanese spice. It is bottled at 43% ABV. The bottle meets the Japan Spirits and Liqueurs Makers Association standard for labeling Japanese whisky.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003c\/details\u003e\n  \n  \u003cdetails\u003e\n    \u003csummary\u003eAuthentication \u0026amp; Vault Preservation\u003c\/summary\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"details-content\"\u003e\n      \u003cp style=\"margin:0;\"\u003eMidnight Whiskey is an authorized retailer; every bottle is sold in its original packaging and inspected before it ships. Orders are double-boxed with protective padding and dispatched with temperature-aware handling. Delivery requires an adult signature: the recipient must be 21 or older and present valid government-issued photo ID. For how we verify and grade what we sell, see \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/authentication\" class=\"mw-accent\"\u003eour authentication standards\u003c\/a\u003e; for white-glove acquisition and storage, see \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/vault-concierge\" class=\"mw-accent\"\u003ethe Vault Concierge\u003c\/a\u003e; and for how we source and vet listings, see \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/editorial-standards\" class=\"mw-accent\"\u003eour editorial sourcing standards\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003c\/details\u003e\n  \n  \u003cdetails\u003e\n    \u003csummary\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/summary\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"details-content\"\u003e\n      \u003cp style=\"font-weight:bold; margin-top:0;\"\u003eHow is the Yamazaki 12 different from the 18?\u003c\/p\u003e\n      \u003cp\u003eThe 12 is the younger, lighter expression, matured twelve years in a balance of American oak, Spanish sherry, and Japanese Mizunara, with a fruit-forward profile of peach, citrus, coconut, and vanilla. The 18 is older and deeper, matured mainly in sherry oak for dried fruit and dark chocolate. The 12 is the original Yamazaki, launched in 1984.\u003c\/p\u003e\n      \u003cp style=\"font-weight:bold; margin-top:18px;\"\u003eIs the Yamazaki 12 a good introduction to Japanese whisky?\u003c\/p\u003e\n      \u003cp\u003eYes. As the original Yamazaki single malt and the line's benchmark age statement, the 12 is approachable and fruit-forward while still showing the Mizunara oak character that defines the distillery. It is bottled at 43% ABV and is best enjoyed neat or with a little water.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003c\/details\u003e\n\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e\n{\n  \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n  \"@graph\": [\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Product\",\n      \"@id\": \"https:\/\/midnightwhiskey.com\/products\/yamazaki-12-year#product\",\n      \"name\": \"The Yamazaki 12 Year Single Malt Whisky\",\n      \"image\": \"https:\/\/midnightwhiskey.com\/[PLACEHOLDER_IMAGE_PATH]\/yamazaki-12-year.jpg\",\n      \"description\": \"The Yamazaki 12 Year is the original single malt from Suntory's Yamazaki Distillery, the oldest malt whisky distillery in Japan, launched in 1984. A Japanese single malt bottled at 43% ABV (86 proof), it is matured for 12 years in a combination of American ex-bourbon oak, Spanish Oloroso sherry, and Japanese Mizunara oak. Pure gold, it shows peach, pineapple, grapefruit, candied orange, vanilla, coconut, and the clove and sandalwood of Mizunara, with a long, sweet, gently spiced finish.\",\n      \"sku\": \"[PLACEHOLDER_SKU]\",\n      \"mpn\": \"[PLACEHOLDER_MPN]\",\n      \"brand\": { \"@type\": \"Brand\", \"name\": \"The Yamazaki\" },\n      \"manufacturer\": { \"@type\": \"Organization\", \"name\": \"Suntory\" },\n      \"category\": \"Japanese Single Malt Whisky\",\n      \"offers\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Offer\",\n        \"@id\": \"https:\/\/midnightwhiskey.com\/products\/yamazaki-12-year#offer\",\n        \"url\": \"https:\/\/midnightwhiskey.com\/products\/yamazaki-12-year\",\n        \"priceCurrency\": \"USD\",\n        \"price\": \"[PLACEHOLDER_PRICE]\",\n        \"availability\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\/LimitedAvailability\",\n        \"itemCondition\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\/NewCondition\",\n        \"seller\": { \"@type\": \"Organization\", \"name\": \"Midnight Whiskey\" }\n      }\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"BreadcrumbList\",\n      \"@id\": \"https:\/\/midnightwhiskey.com\/products\/yamazaki-12-year#breadcrumb\",\n      \"itemListElement\": [\n        { \"@type\": \"ListItem\", \"position\": 1, \"name\": \"Home\", \"item\": \"https:\/\/midnightwhiskey.com\" },\n        { \"@type\": \"ListItem\", \"position\": 2, \"name\": \"Japanese Whisky\", \"item\": \"https:\/\/midnightwhiskey.com\/collections\/japanese-whisky\" },\n        { \"@type\": \"ListItem\", \"position\": 3, \"name\": \"Yamazaki 12 Year\" }\n      ]\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\n      \"@id\": \"https:\/\/midnightwhiskey.com\/products\/yamazaki-12-year#faq\",\n      \"mainEntity\": [\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"Question\",\n          \"name\": \"How is the Yamazaki 12 different from the 18?\",\n          \"acceptedAnswer\": { \"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"The 12 is the younger, lighter expression, matured twelve years in a balance of American oak, Spanish sherry, and Japanese Mizunara, with a fruit-forward profile of peach, citrus, coconut, and vanilla. The 18 is older and deeper, matured mainly in sherry oak for dried fruit and dark chocolate. The 12 is the original Yamazaki, launched in 1984.\" }\n        },\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"Question\",\n          \"name\": \"Is the Yamazaki 12 a good introduction to Japanese whisky?\",\n          \"acceptedAnswer\": { \"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Yes. As the original Yamazaki single malt and the line's benchmark age statement, the 12 is approachable and fruit-forward while still showing the Mizunara oak character that defines the distillery. It is bottled at 43% ABV and is best enjoyed neat or with a little water.\" }\n        }\n      ]\n    }\n  ]\n}\n\u003c\/script\u003e","brand":"Suntory","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44766415650850,"sku":null,"price":199.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0812\/5566\/1602\/files\/the-yamazaki-12-year-old-single-malt-japanese-whisky.jpg?v=1779915552"},{"product_id":"yamazaki-18-year-japanese-whisky","title":"The Yamazaki 18 Year Old Single Malt Japanese Whisky — Long-Aged Suntory Flagship, Multi-Cask Sherry-Driven Composition","description":"\u003cstyle\u003e\n.mw-master-container{\n  --mw-accent: #BFAE88;   \/* metallic foil  *\/\n  --mw-glow:   #A21C09;   \/* power color    *\/\n  --mw-bg:     #141310;   \/* deep lowlight  *\/\n  --mw-text:#e0e0e0; --mw-muted:#a89e86; --mw-hair:#241f1a;\n  font-family: inherit; background:var(--mw-bg); color:var(--mw-text);\n  line-height:1.7; padding:24px; margin-bottom:60px;\n}\n.mw-master-container .mw-h3{ color:var(--mw-accent); font-weight:bold; text-transform:uppercase;\n  font-size:0.9rem; letter-spacing:2px; margin-top:40px; display:block;\n  border-bottom:1px solid var(--mw-glow); padding-bottom:8px; margin-bottom:20px; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-accent{ color:var(--mw-accent); font-weight:bold; text-decoration:none; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-accent:hover{ color:#fff; text-decoration:underline; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-info-box{ background:linear-gradient(90deg, var(--mw-bg) 0%, var(--mw-glow) 100%);\n  padding:25px; margin:25px 0; border-radius:0 4px 4px 0; border:1px solid var(--mw-hair);\n  border-left:4px solid var(--mw-accent); }\n.mw-master-container .mw-grid{ display:grid; grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr; gap:30px; margin:30px 0; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-card{ background:rgba(255,255,255,0.02); padding:25px;\n  border:1px solid var(--mw-glow); border-radius:4px; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-table{ width:100%; border-collapse:collapse; margin-top:15px; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-table td{ padding:14px 0; border-bottom:1px solid var(--mw-hair);\n  color:#ccc; font-size:0.95rem; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-table td:first-child{ font-weight:bold; width:38%; color:var(--mw-accent);\n  text-transform:uppercase; font-size:0.75rem; letter-spacing:1px; }\n.mw-master-container details{ background:rgba(255,255,255,0.03); border:1px solid var(--mw-hair);\n  border-radius:4px; margin-bottom:15px; }\n.mw-master-container summary{ padding:18px; color:var(--mw-accent); font-weight:bold; cursor:pointer;\n  outline:none; list-style:none; display:flex; justify-content:space-between; align-items:center;\n  text-transform:uppercase; letter-spacing:1px; font-size:0.85rem; }\n.mw-master-container summary::after{ content:'+'; font-size:1.2rem; }\n.mw-master-container details[open]{ border:1px solid var(--mw-accent); }\n.mw-master-container details[open] summary::after{ content:'-'; }\n.mw-master-container .details-content{ padding:0 20px 20px 20px; font-size:0.95rem; }\n@media (max-width:768px){ .mw-master-container .mw-grid{ grid-template-columns:1fr; } }\n\u003c\/style\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"mw-master-container\"\u003e\n\n  \u003c!-- TL;DR (speakable, GEO) --\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"speakable\"\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eThe Yamazaki 18 Year is the flagship age-statement single malt from Suntory's Yamazaki Distillery, the first and oldest malt whisky distillery in Japan. A Japanese single malt bottled at 43% ABV (86 proof), it is matured for eighteen years mainly in Spanish sherry oak, with Japanese Mizunara oak and American white oak. Each cask plays a part: the sherry brings dried fruit and dark chocolate, the Mizunara adds sandalwood and incense, and the American oak rounds the whole together. Deep reddish amber in the glass, it carries raisin, apricot, café au lait, and Mizunara on the nose; a palate of blackberry, strawberry jam, dates, dark chocolate, and honeyed caramel; and a long, warming finish of dried fruit, tannic oak, and peppery spice. It is deep and complex, and one of the most allocated Japanese whiskies released.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003c!-- ELEMENTAL DISTINCTION --\u003e\n  \u003cspan class=\"mw-h3\"\u003eThe Elemental Distinction\u003c\/span\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"mw-info-box\"\u003e\n    \u003cul style=\"margin:0; padding-left:20px; font-size:0.95rem;\"\u003e\n      \u003cli\u003eThe flagship age-statement single malt from Yamazaki — Japan's first and oldest malt whisky distillery, founded in 1923.\u003c\/li\u003e\n      \u003cli\u003eAged 18 years and bottled at 43% ABV (86 proof).\u003c\/li\u003e\n      \u003cli\u003eMatured mainly in Spanish sherry oak, with rare Japanese Mizunara oak and American white oak.\u003c\/li\u003e\n      \u003cli\u003eDeep and complex — dried fruit, dark chocolate, and the sandalwood-and-incense signature of Mizunara.\u003c\/li\u003e\n      \u003cli\u003eA Japanese single malt (100% malted barley); meets the JSLMA Japanese-whisky standard. 700 ml as labeled.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003c\/ul\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003c!-- SENSORY + STRATEGIC GRID --\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"mw-grid\"\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"mw-card\"\u003e\n      \u003cspan class=\"mw-accent\" style=\"font-size:0.75rem; text-transform:uppercase; letter-spacing:1px;\"\u003eSensory Profile\u003c\/span\u003e\n      \u003cdiv style=\"margin-top:20px; font-size:0.9rem;\" class=\"speakable\"\u003e\n        \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNose:\u003c\/strong\u003e Raisin and apricot, dark chocolate, and café au lait, with the sandalwood and incense of Mizunara oak.\u003c\/p\u003e\n        \u003cp style=\"margin-top:10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePalate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Blackberry, strawberry jam, and dates, with dark chocolate, honeyed caramel, and gentle spice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n        \u003cp style=\"margin-top:10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e Long and warming, with dried fruit, tannic oak, and peppery spice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n      \u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"mw-card\"\u003e\n      \u003cspan class=\"mw-accent\" style=\"font-size:0.75rem; text-transform:uppercase; letter-spacing:1px;\"\u003eStrategic Position\u003c\/span\u003e\n      \u003cp style=\"font-size:0.90rem; margin-top:20px;\"\u003eThe flagship age-statement Yamazaki, a sherry-led single malt carried by its Mizunara oak. Browse \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/japanese-whisky\" class=\"mw-accent\"\u003eour Japanese whisky collection\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/whisky\" class=\"mw-accent\"\u003eour broader whisky range\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003c!-- TECHNICAL SPECS --\u003e\n  \u003cspan class=\"mw-h3\"\u003eTechnical Specifications\u003c\/span\u003e\n  \u003ctable class=\"mw-table\"\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBrand \/ Producer\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eThe Yamazaki (Suntory) — the flagship age-statement single malt\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDistillery\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYamazaki Distillery, Shimamoto, Osaka Prefecture, Japan — founded 1923, the oldest in Japan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCategory\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eJapanese Single Malt Whisky (100% malted barley, pot-distilled)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCask Types\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMainly Spanish sherry oak (Oloroso), with Japanese Mizunara oak and American white oak\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eABV \/ Proof\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e43% ABV (86 proof)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAge Statement\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e18 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eColor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDeep reddish amber\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBottle Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e700 ml (70cl) as labeled — confirm 700 ml vs 750 ml for the US SKU\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eJapan (Osaka Prefecture)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eStandard\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMeets the JSLMA Japanese-whisky labeling standard\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n  \u003c!-- COLLECTOR NOTE --\u003e\n  \u003cspan class=\"mw-h3\"\u003eCollector Note\u003c\/span\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003eThe Yamazaki 18 is the cornerstone of Japan's most established single-malt house. Suntory's Yamazaki Distillery opened in 1923, on the outskirts of Kyoto where three rivers meet, as the first malt whisky distillery in the country; the 18 Year is its flagship age statement. What sets it apart is the maturation: mostly Spanish sherry oak for dried fruit and chocolate depth, a measure of scarce Japanese Mizunara oak for the sandalwood and incense that has become the distillery's signature, and American oak to tie it together. Japanese whisky of this age has become genuinely scarce, and the 18 Year is among the most allocated releases on the market, which has pushed it well beyond its shelf history at auction and retail alike. For a collection moving beyond bourbon, it is a foundational and collectible bottle — the benchmark aged single malt from Japan.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003c!-- RECOMMENDED SERVING --\u003e\n  \u003cspan class=\"mw-h3\"\u003eRecommended Serving\u003c\/span\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003ePour it neat in a tulip glass and give it a few minutes: the sherry fruit and the Mizunara incense open with air. A single drop of water can lift the spice without thinning the body, which sits comfortably at 43%. While the Japanese highball is the everyday way to serve younger Yamazaki, an 18-year-old of this scarcity rewards drinking neat or barely cut. Ice is best kept to one large cube if used at all, so the chocolate and dried-fruit notes are not lost.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003c!-- ACCORDION DEEP-DIVES --\u003e\n  \u003cdetails\u003e\n    \u003csummary\u003eProduction Methodology\u003c\/summary\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"details-content\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eYamazaki is a single malt: it is made entirely from malted barley and pot-distilled at one distillery, founded by Shinjiro Torii in 1923 in Shimamoto, Osaka Prefecture, where a humid climate and the pure water at the meeting of three rivers were chosen to suit maturation. The 18 Year is matured for eighteen years mainly in Spanish sherry oak (Oloroso butts), with a portion of Japanese Mizunara oak — a scarce, demanding wood that lends sandalwood, incense, and Japanese spice — and American white oak. The three cask types are married to build the whisky's depth, and it is bottled at 43% ABV. The bottle meets the Japan Spirits and Liqueurs Makers Association standard for labeling Japanese whisky.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003c\/details\u003e\n  \u003cdetails\u003e\n    \u003csummary\u003eAuthentication \u0026amp; Vault Preservation\u003c\/summary\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"details-content\"\u003e\n      \u003cp\u003e\u003c!-- SHARED TRUST COMPONENT: insert the canonical block; do not re-author per product. --\u003eMidnight Whiskey is an authorized retailer; every bottle is sold in its original packaging and inspected before it ships. Orders are double-boxed with protective padding and dispatched with temperature-aware handling. Delivery requires an adult signature: the recipient must be 21 or older and present valid government-issued photo ID. For how we verify and grade what we sell, see \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/authentication\" class=\"mw-accent\"\u003eour authentication standards\u003c\/a\u003e; for white-glove acquisition and storage, see \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/vault-concierge\" class=\"mw-accent\"\u003ethe Vault Concierge\u003c\/a\u003e; and for how we source and vet listings, see \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/editorial-standards\" class=\"mw-accent\"\u003eour editorial sourcing standards\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003c\/details\u003e\n  \u003cdetails\u003e\n    \u003csummary\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/summary\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"details-content\"\u003e\n      \u003cp style=\"font-weight:bold;\"\u003eWhat casks is the Yamazaki 18 aged in?\u003c\/p\u003e\n      \u003cp\u003eThe Yamazaki 18 is matured for eighteen years mainly in Spanish sherry oak, with Japanese Mizunara oak and American white oak. The sherry brings dried fruit and chocolate, the Mizunara adds sandalwood and incense, and the American oak rounds it out. It is bottled at 43% ABV.\u003c\/p\u003e\n      \u003cp style=\"font-weight:bold; margin-top:18px;\"\u003eWhat is Mizunara oak?\u003c\/p\u003e\n      \u003cp\u003eMizunara is a Japanese oak, scarce and difficult to work with, that gives Yamazaki its signature notes of sandalwood, incense, and Japanese spice. The Yamazaki 18 uses it alongside sherry and American oak. The distillery, founded in 1923, was the first in Japan.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003c\/details\u003e\n\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e\n{\n  \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n  \"@graph\": [\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Product\",\n      \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.midnightwhiskey.com\/products\/yamazaki-18-year#product\",\n      \"name\": \"The Yamazaki 18 Year Single Malt Whisky\",\n      \"image\": \"https:\/\/www.midnightwhiskey.com\/[PLACEHOLDER_IMAGE_PATH]\/yamazaki-18-year.jpg\",\n      \"description\": \"The Yamazaki 18 Year is the flagship age-statement single malt from Suntory's Yamazaki Distillery, the oldest malt whisky distillery in Japan. A Japanese single malt bottled at 43% ABV (86 proof), it is matured for 18 years mainly in Spanish sherry oak, with Japanese Mizunara oak and American white oak. Deep reddish amber, it shows dried fruit, dark chocolate, blackberry, dates, honeyed caramel, and the sandalwood and incense of Mizunara, with a long, spicy, oak-driven finish.\",\n      \"sku\": \"[PLACEHOLDER_SKU]\",\n      \"mpn\": \"[PLACEHOLDER_MPN]\",\n      \"brand\": { \"@type\": \"Brand\", \"name\": \"The Yamazaki\" },\n      \"manufacturer\": { \"@type\": \"Organization\", \"name\": \"Suntory\" },\n      \"category\": \"Japanese Single Malt Whisky\",\n      \"offers\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Offer\",\n        \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.midnightwhiskey.com\/products\/yamazaki-18-year#offer\",\n        \"url\": \"https:\/\/www.midnightwhiskey.com\/products\/yamazaki-18-year\",\n        \"priceCurrency\": \"USD\",\n        \"price\": \"[PLACEHOLDER_PRICE]\",\n        \"availability\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\/LimitedAvailability\",\n        \"itemCondition\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\/NewCondition\",\n        \"seller\": { \"@type\": \"Organization\", \"name\": \"Midnight Whiskey\" }\n      }\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"BreadcrumbList\",\n      \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.midnightwhiskey.com\/products\/yamazaki-18-year#breadcrumb\",\n      \"itemListElement\": [\n        { \"@type\": \"ListItem\", \"position\": 1, \"name\": \"Home\", \"item\": \"https:\/\/www.midnightwhiskey.com\" },\n        { \"@type\": \"ListItem\", \"position\": 2, \"name\": \"Japanese Whisky\", \"item\": \"https:\/\/www.midnightwhiskey.com\/collections\/japanese-whisky\" },\n        { \"@type\": \"ListItem\", \"position\": 3, \"name\": \"Yamazaki 18 Year\" }\n      ]\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\n      \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.midnightwhiskey.com\/products\/yamazaki-18-year#faq\",\n      \"mainEntity\": [\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"Question\",\n          \"name\": \"What casks is the Yamazaki 18 aged in?\",\n          \"acceptedAnswer\": { \"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"The Yamazaki 18 is matured for eighteen years mainly in Spanish sherry oak, with Japanese Mizunara oak and American white oak. The sherry brings dried fruit and chocolate, the Mizunara adds sandalwood and incense, and the American oak rounds it out. It is bottled at 43% ABV.\" }\n        },\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"Question\",\n          \"name\": \"What is Mizunara oak?\",\n          \"acceptedAnswer\": { \"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Mizunara is a Japanese oak, scarce and difficult to work with, that gives Yamazaki its signature notes of sandalwood, incense, and Japanese spice. The Yamazaki 18 uses it alongside sherry and American oak. The distillery, founded in 1923, was the first in Japan.\" }\n        }\n      ]\n    }\n  ]\n}\n\u003c\/script\u003e","brand":"Suntory","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44766415683618,"sku":null,"price":799.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0812\/5566\/1602\/files\/the-yamazaki-18-year-old-single-malt-japanese-whisky.jpg?v=1779915591"}],"url":"https:\/\/midnightwhiskey.com\/collections\/yamazaki.oembed","provider":"Midnight Whiskey ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}