Suntory chief blender Shinji Fukuyo once again delves into diversity, innovation and craftsmanship with this years' Tsukuriwake Series.

Pronounced ‘soo-koo-ree-wah-keh’, which means ‘artisanship through a diversity of making’, the series includes three Yamazakis and one Hakushu special release.

The four offerings are the Yamazaki Golden Promise, Yamazaki Islay Peated Malt, Yamazaki 18-Year-Old Mizunara and the Hakushu 18-Year-Old Peated Malt.

Made from golden promise barley, the Yamazaki Golden Promise was distilled in 2009 and aged in American oak casks. The end result is then blended with Yamazaki 12-Year-Old. 

It is said to have notes of orange marmalade and custard.

Made with peat from Scotland’s famed region, the Yamazaki Islay Peated Malt is aptly named. It is reported to have notes of brown sugar and bitter orange citrus.

The two offerings are bottled at 48% ABV and priced at US$465.

The Yamazaki 18-Year-Old Mizunara is another testament to Suntory's mastery with the titular oak. A lengthy maturation in Mizunara oak casks provides a signature spiciness, incense-like sandalwood and aloe wood flavours, alongside hints of clove and dried coconut.

It is bottled at 48% ABV and priced at US$1,500.

Last but not least, this year's version of the Hakushu 18-Year-Old Peated Malt also showcases Suntory's blending mastery and versatility with their different whiskies.

The only Hakushu in this series is said to have notes of herbaceous minerals and ripe apple.

It is bottled at 43% ABV and priced at US$1,200.

Kanpai!

88 Bamboo Editorial Team 

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Lok Bing Hong A budding journalist that loves experiencing new things and telling people's stories. I have 30 seconds of coherence a day. I do not decide when they come. They are not consecutive.