After a four year hiatus, Suntory is reintroducing Yamazaki Limited Edition for 2021. The announcement from the Japanese spirits giant came at the same time as it announced the release of Hibiki Blossom Harmony.
Yamazaki Limited Edition 2021 features a blend of malts that are at least 12 years old. Previous editions of the Japanese Whisky were made up of malts in their late teens, but this year’s edition changes things up by only using virgin mizunara cask Whiskies.
The Whisky is described as having a smooth, velvety sweetness with bright fruit flavours and a well-balanced taste and aroma. On the nose, it offers aromas of pineapple, orange, and nutmeg. The palate delivers honey, coconut cream, and blueberries. The finish features vanilla nd ginger with light smoke.
Bottled at 43% ABV, Yamazaki Limited Edition 2021 goes on sale May 25, 2021 for 8000 Yen ($77 USD).
Suntory also announced the Hibiki Blossom Harmony, which blends Hibiki Whisky with Whisky finished in cherry barrels, making it the first Hibiki to be aged in sakura wood. This limited-edition, rare blend displays aromas reminiscent of the blossoms that grow from the cherry tree, with mellow, harmonious flavors and a lingering yet refreshing finish.
Back in October, Beam Suntory announced the launch of the “first-ever” world blended Whisky, Suntory World Whisky ‘Ao.’ The new offering is blended using Whisky from distilleries in Japan, Scotland, Ireland, Canada, and the United States. ‘Ao’ means “Blue” in Japanese and the Whisky is named after the oceans that connect the distilleries. The release is exclusive to global travel retail and will be available in 16 markets, where it will retail for $71. It is the first innovative whisky launch in global travel retail since the coronavirus pandemic began.
In other Japanese Whisky news, The Mikuni Japanese Whisky has arrived in the United States. The blended Whisky was introduced on this side of the Pacific by Suzuki-Marketing, a South San Francisco-based wine and spirits importer and marketing company. The Mikuni is a blend of malt Whisky, grain Whisky, and fresh mountain water drawn from 250 meters (821 feet) underground, filtered through porous, volcanic rock, and blended by Master Blender Kenji Wantanabe. The Whisky is then aged three years in Bourbon barrels. The distillery faces Mt. Fuji, and is located in Yamanashi Prefecture, at the foot of Japan’s Southern Alps.
Back in August, a bottle of Yamazaki 55 Year Old set the new world auction record for a bottle of Japanese Whisky. Already the oldest Japanese Whisky in history, the bottling commanded a price of $795,000 USD at Bonhams Fine & Rare Wine and Whisky Sale in Hong Kong