Suntory Launches 2022 Yamazaki Limited Edition Tsukuriwake Selection
Suntory has launched the 2022 Yamazaki Limited Edition Tsukuriwake Selection, a collection of four Yamazaki single malts – Puncheon, Peated Malt, Spanish Oak, and Mizunara – that together make the composition of Yamazaki Japanese Single Malt Whisky. The collection, initially released in Japan in 2020, honors Tsukuriwake, which means “artisanship through a diversity of making.”
Yamazaki Puncheon
The Puncheon is considered as the “heart” of what makes Yamazaki Single Malt, Yamazaki. The Yamazaki Puncheon Single Malt Whisky is comprised of meticulously selected malts aged exclusively in puncheons crafted by Suntory artisans from hand selected American oak. With a capacity of approximately 480 liters, these large casks allow malt whiskies to mature slowly, imbuing them with a complexity and vibrance. The Puncheon cask malt whiskies impart their subtle notes essential to the delicate base of the Yamazaki Single Malt.
Yamazaki Puncheon is described as having aromas of “green apple, mature pear, acacia honey, with hint of vanilla.” The palate is “clean, velvety and mild, with delicate butterscotch notes,” finishing with “oaky woodiness with subtle sweetness.”
Yamazaki Peated Malt
The Peated Malt is considered the “hidden accent” giving Yamazaki its complexity and lingering finish. The Yamazaki Peated Malt is comprised of meticulously selected heavily peated malted barley that is masterfully blended to create the quintessential Yamazaki Peated Malt that is gentle and refined. The Peated malt whiskies impart their subtly smoky, earthy notes essential to the complexity of the Yamazaki Single Malt.
Yamazaki Peated Malt is described as having aromas of “subtle smoke with green herbal notes.” The palate is “gently peated with hints of earthiness, pineapple, and citrus notes,” finishing “complex with lingering peatiness.”
Yamazaki Sapnish Oak
The Spanish Oak is considered as the depth-enhancer giving Yamazaki its quintessential multi-layered full flavor with mature fruity notes. The Yamazaki Spanish Oak is comprised of meticulously selected malt whiskies matured in the highest quality oak casks originating from Northern Spain. The Spanish oak cask malt whiskies impart a delicately rich and decadent palate with subtle acidity and fruity aromas, essential to the multi-layered flavor profile of the Yamazaki Single Malt.
Yamazaki Spanish Oak is described as having aromas of “dried raisins and prunes, with hints of sundried tomatoes.” The palate is “delicately rich and decadent with subtle acidity,” finishing “buttery with lingering acidity and a hint of bitterness.”
Yamazaki Mizunara
Mizunara is a species of oak native to Japan and is considered the signature enhancer giving Yamazaki its quintessential Japanese character and elegance. Whiskies which undergo a long maturation in Mizunara casks take on a distinctive Japanese spiciness and incense-like flavor of sandalwood and agarwood. The Yamazaki Mizunara Single Malt Whisky is comprised of meticulously selected long-matured malt whiskies showcasing the rare, distinctive beauty of the hand crafted Mizunara casks. The Mizunara cask malt whiskies impart their enigmatic spicy notes essential to the signature taste of the Yamazaki Single Malt.
Yamazaki Mizunara is described as having a “rich and elegant top note” on the nose, with aromas of “custard cream and cinnamon.” The palate is “gentle on the tongue, aromatic and round with spiced sweet notes,” concluding with a “distinctive” finish with “deep woody notes reminiscent of Japanese incense.”
The 2022 Yamazaki Limited Edition Tsukuriwake Selection will be available beginning next month in select global markets including the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Austria, Spain, Singapore, Taiwan, China, South Korea, Thailand and Australia. Each expression is bottled at 48% ABV and has a suggested retail price of $450 USD with the exception of the Mizunara bottling, which has a suggested retail price of $620 USD.
Photo credit: Beam Suntory.
Source: prnewswire.com.