The Yamazaki Puncheon, Japanese Single Malt Whisky, 48%

The House of Suntory

Yamazaki was Japan’s first distillery, established in 1923 by Shinjiro Tori. Inspired by traditional Scottish whisky-making, but wanting to create something distinctly Japanese, Tori selected a site on the periphery of Kyoto, Japan’s ancient cultural centre.

Here, a unique, humid climate and high-quality water from Mount Tennozan’s springs come together in the production of very special whiskies: Japan’s oldest, and arguably some of its most well-known. Soft waters and frequent mists create ideal conditions for cask ageing here, as do hot summers and colder winters.

The distillery underwent a significant renovation in the late 1980s, which gave the team the ability to produce a variety of whisky styles, including single malts, for which they have now become famous on the global stage.