Yamazaki distillery
Osaka, Shimamoto, Japan. Founded in 1923. Owned by Suntory.
Alert me for Yamazaki releases- Founded
- 1923
- Region
- Osaka
- Owner
- Suntory
- Limited lines
- 6
- Editions tracked
- 20
Yamazaki Story of the Distillery (Limited Edition). Picture from Dekanta.
About YamazakiJapan
Yamazaki distillery is in Shimamoto, Osaka Prefecture, and is owned by Suntory. Shinjiro Torii founded it in 1923 as the first malt whisky distillery in Japan, and distilling began in 1924. It grew from two pot stills at the start to sixteen in 2013, and a renovation from 1987 to 1989 replaced two thirds of its production equipment. It was the first distillery to mature whisky in mizunara oak, casks first used during the Second World War in place of sherry casks. Its rare releases include Yamazaki 50, first released in 2005, Yamazaki 55, of which 100 bottles were made, and the Yamazaki Story of the Distillery 2025 Edition.
Limited lines
Each Yamazaki line in the book, with dates and shop stock.
| No. | Line | Age · strength | Last release | Next | Editions | Shop stock |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Yamazaki Story of the Distillery (Limited Edition) | No age statement · 43% ABV | 6 October 2026 | No estimate | 5 | In stock 2 shops |
| 002 | Yamazaki 12 Year Old | 12 years · 43% ABV | 1 April 2026 | April 2027 Estimate | 3 | In stock 4 shops |
| 003 | Yamazaki 18 Year Old | 18 years · 43% ABV | 1 April 2026 | April 2027 Estimate | 3 | In stock 2 shops |
| 004 | Yamazaki 25 Year Old | 25 years · 43% ABV | 1 April 2026 | April 2027 Estimate | 3 | In stock 1 shop |
| 005 | Yamazaki 18 Year Old Mizunara | 18 years · 48% ABV | August 2025 | June 2027 Estimate | 3 | In stock 3 shops |
| 006 | Yamazaki Tsukuriwake Selection | No age statement · 48% ABV | June 2024 | No estimate | 3 | Not listed |
Edition archive
20 editions across 6 lines, newest first.
| No. | Released | Edition | Line | Strength | Bottles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | 6 October 2026 | Story of the Distillery 2026 EDITION (lottery batch) | Yamazaki Story of the Distillery (Limited Edition) | 43% ABV | Not stated |
| 002 | 26 May 2026 | Story of the Distillery 2026 EDITION | Yamazaki Story of the Distillery (Limited Edition) | 43% ABV | Not stated |
| 003 | 1 April 2026 | Japan price revision 2026 | Yamazaki 12 Year Old | 43% ABV | Not stated |
| 004 | 1 April 2026 | Japan price revision 2026 | Yamazaki 18 Year Old | 43% ABV | Not stated |
| 005 | 1 April 2026 | Japan price revision 2026 | Yamazaki 25 Year Old | 43% ABV | Not stated |
| 006 | October 2025 | Story of the Distillery 2025 EDITION (lottery batch) | Yamazaki Story of the Distillery (Limited Edition) | 43% ABV | Not stated |
| 007 | August 2025 | 2025 Release | Yamazaki 18 Year Old Mizunara | 48% ABV | Not stated |
| 008 | 27 May 2025 | Story of the Distillery 2025 EDITION | Yamazaki Story of the Distillery (Limited Edition) | 43% ABV | Not stated |
| 009 | June 2024 | 2024 Tsukuriwake Edition | Yamazaki 18 Year Old Mizunara | 48% ABV | Not stated |
| 010 | June 2024 | 2024 Tsukuriwake: Yamazaki 18 Year Old Mizunara | Yamazaki Tsukuriwake Selection | 48% ABV | Not stated |
| 011 | June 2024 | 2024 Tsukuriwake: Yamazaki Islay Peated Malt | Yamazaki Tsukuriwake Selection | 48% ABV | Not stated |
| 012 | June 2024 | 2024 Tsukuriwake: Yamazaki Golden Promise | Yamazaki Tsukuriwake Selection | 48% ABV | Not stated |
| 013 | 28 May 2024 | Story of the Distillery 2024 EDITION | Yamazaki Story of the Distillery (Limited Edition) | 43% ABV | Not stated |
| 014 | 1 April 2024 | Japan price revision 2024 | Yamazaki 12 Year Old | 43% ABV | Not stated |
| 015 | 1 April 2024 | Japan price revision 2024 | Yamazaki 25 Year Old | 43% ABV | Not stated |
| 016 | April 2024 | Japan price revision 2024 | Yamazaki 18 Year Old | 43% ABV | Not stated |
| 017 | June 2023 | Suntory Whisky 100th Anniversary label | Yamazaki 12 Year Old | 43% ABV | Not stated |
| 018 | June 2023 | Suntory Whisky 100th Anniversary Limited Edition | Yamazaki 18 Year Old Mizunara | 48% ABV | 2,000 |
| 019 | April 2022 | Japan price revision 2022 | Yamazaki 18 Year Old | 43% ABV | Not stated |
| 020 | July 2021 | US release (2021 reformulation) | Yamazaki 25 Year Old | 43% ABV | Not stated |
Sources
- Yamazaki distillery, Wikipedia
- 山崎蒸溜所, Wikipedia (Japanese)
- サントリー公式、ウイスキー「山崎 2025」抽選販売の受付開始, Impress Gourmet Watch
- Enter a Lottery to Buy (Yes, Buy) This $30K Ultra-Rare Japanese Whisky, VinePair
- Yamazaki Distillery Exclusive & Kogei Edition, More Drams, Less Drama
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