The Yamazaki 12 is the most famous Japanese whisky. But it’s getting harder to find and more expensive every year.
In this post, you’ll learn tips on finding the best deals. And you’ll also gain a more intimate knowledge of this whisky’s tasting notes and product information.
Finally, I provide food pairing and service suggestions that can improve your next Yamazaki 12 experience.
Buyer’s Guide
- Price
- Retail, Bars, Restaurants
- Collecting Yamazaki 12
- Discontinued?
Tasting Notes
Food Pairings
Service
- Cocktails
- Whisky Glasses
Technical Specs
Yamazaki Distillery
- Visit Yamazaki
Hunting for Yamazaki: The 12-Year Buyer’s Guide
There are few whisky brands from Japan as iconic as the Yamazaki 12-year-old. It’s a fruitier, more approachable single malt than Hakushu, Suntory’s other flagship 12-year expression.
Unfortunately, Suntoryhas had a difficult time keeping up with the intense demand. A lack of supply in the retail market has pushed prices continuously higher. Luckily, Suntory allocates plenty of whisky for on-premise (bars, restaurants). So by-the-glass prices are sometimes reasonable.
At the Yamazaki whiskey distillery, they have increased production. Additionally, some new whiskies have been released to mitigate the frenzy for premium, aged stocks.
However, twelve-year-aged whisky doesn’t happen overnight.
Love Yamazaki? Check out my companion guide to Yamazaki 18 Year.
2023 Yamazaki 12 Price
Yamazaki prices have steadily risen for years, but they still can be found for a reasonable amount. Diligent bargain hunters can find great retail deals now and then.
Currently, expect to pay between $150 and $250 for a 750 ml bottle.
My early 2023 take on Yamazaki 12 retail pricing:
- Outstanding Retail Price: $145 or less
- Median Price: $159-$199
- Overpriced: $199 or more
Where to Find: Retail, Bars, and Restaurants
If you’re visiting Japan, you may be able to find a better price. However, expectations should be tempered. Yamazaki 12 can be tricky to find even in Japan.
In North America, it definitely helps to begin your search for Yamazaki 12 online. There are a number of retailers offering delivery, depending upon your state’s laws. At a minimum, you’ll get a solid understanding of the range in pricing.
Wine shops and liquor stores are worth checking out. Costco can be another good option. In some states, you don’t need a membership to buy alcohol from their stores. Other large retailers that frequently carry Yamazaki 12 include Total Wine, BevMo!, Binny’s, and even Amazon.
Yamazaki 12 doesn’t cost as much as the 18-year, but price gouging still happens. This is where research and patience come in handy.
And if you’re striking out on a good deal, or maybe only want one glass of whisky, you’re in luck. Suntory ensures a solid supply of its spirits to on-premise (restaurants, bars) establishments. Yamazaki 12 is widely available, even in places that aren’t Japanese. The best deals can often be found at these types of places. As with the retail market, you’ll find a large range of menu prices.
Shop Online Retailers of the Yamazaki 12 Year (山崎12年)
If you want your own bottle of Yamazaki, check out these online retailers below. Prices will vary based on the retailer and your location. So make sure to shop around if you want to get the best deal.
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Collecting Yamazaki 12 Year
It’s common to wonder if the 12-year Yamazaki is a collectible whisky. My opinion is that it’s not. It is definitely desirable, but two primary factors keep its collectibility in check.
First, there is plenty of supply. Suntory has kept this whisky in stock during the all-time peak of demand.
And second, the wholesale price of Yamazaki 12 is low. Bar and retail shops don’t want you to know this. But depending on the market, the price is usually less than $90.
Suntory isn’t charging that much for Yamazaki 12. High prices for this single malt are due to high demand from consumers and retailers and restaurants taking advantage of this fact.
Is Yamazaki 12 Discontinued?
People often ask if Yamazaki 12 is discontinued. And the answer is no. Suntory has done a good job meeting the high demand for its classic single malts.
Yes, the Hakushu 12-year was briefly discontinued in some markets. And this, along with other high-profile whisky discontinuations, has sparked a lot of fear among Japanese whisky enthusiasts. But it’s likely that Yamazaki 12 is here to stay as a core Suntory whisky.
So don’t overpay for it, please.
Hakushu is the sister whisky distillery to Yamazaki and produces some of the world’s finest single malts. Check out my complete guide to Hakushu 12 Year, the most popular Hakushu whisky.
The Yamazaki 12 Tasting Notes
The Yamazaki whiskies are known for their fruity and spicy nature.
Typically, there’s also only a faint hint of peat influence. Soft and smooth— these whiskies are easy to enjoy. The Yamazaki 12 year exemplifies these characteristics.
Twelve years (minimum) of cask aging has given this single malt a beautiful bronze color. It’s also aromatic, supple-textured, and very fruity. Specific tasting notes include apricot, golden apple, raspberry, lime zest, and raisin. Allspice, vanilla, and a faint touch of heather also show up.
This single malt uses new American Oak, plus some Mizunara Japanese white oak– and the oak spice (vanilla, cinnamon, coconut, clove) shows through without dominating. There is a moderately rich malty profile with notes of peach and orange blossom.
Did I miss anything? Share your tasting notes or opinions at the bottom of this post.
Yamazaki Whisky Food Pairings
Yamazaki whisky has a gentle, fruity nature and makes a great match with many types of food.
This is a great whisky for rich desserts like creme brulee, pecan pie, or anything smothered in ganache. Carmalized, spice (vanilla, cinnamon), and tropical fruit elements in desserts are going to harmonize with Yamazaki.
Yamazaki 12 Year is also outstanding with steak. This pairing works especially well with fatty cuts like ribeye and New York strip. Both black Angus and wagyu are excellent choices.
Do you have a favorite Yamazaki food pairing? Share it with everyone by commenting at the bottom of this post.
How to Drink Yamazaki 12
There are a few reasonable ways to serve Yamazaki 12. Neat is the most popular method, with an optional splash of water. Adding an ice cube is a good idea for whisky stored at or above 70F.
A snifter or dedicated single malt glass will provide the best drinking experience.
Yamazaki 12 Year Cocktails!?
It’s our belief that Yamazaki 12 can be used to make a great cocktail without angering the whisky gods. The 18-year is another matter, of course.
Yamazaki 12 makes an especially good Old Fashioned and Manhattan. There’s not a lot of competing elements, and what is used harmonizes with the whisky.
Another solid option is the whisky sour. This cocktail will hide the Yamazaki more than the first two, but it still works. Umeshu (plum wine) makes an awesome contribution to a sour in small doses.
The oyuwari is another delicious way to enjoy Yamazaki whisky. This shochu service technique involves adding hot water to whisky. Not only can it produce a soothing, warm experience, but the aromatics also get some lift. If it sounds like a reach, just remember that the Hot Toddy is a whisky cocktail classic.
Recommended Yamazaki Whisky Glasses
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The Yamazaki 12 Year Aged Product Information
Whisky Style: Single Malt (シングルモルト)
Ingredient: 100% malted barley ABV: 43%
Barrel: mostly American Oak, some Mizunara oak
No color added
The Yamazaki Distillery: Suntory サントリー
Distillery: Yamazaki Distillery
Location: Shimamoto, Osaka
EST: 1923
Official Site: English
The Yamazaki Distillery was the first whisky distillery in Japan. Today, it’s still the most famous. Its whiskies are probably the most sought-after of the Japanese whisky category.
A sense of terroir comes from their soft water and the humid, warm Osaka climate. The distillery currently makes a variety of single malt whiskies, all of which come highly recommended.
MORE ABOUT YAMAZAKI
Tasting Yamazaki at the Distillery and Whisky Museum
The Suntory Yamazaki Distillery (山崎蒸溜所) is one of the must-see destinations if you visit Kyoto or Osaka.
You can visit the Yamazaki whisky museum and tasting room free of charge.
They serve many different Suntory whiskies, including cask samples used for blending some of their most famous products. The prices for the pours are reasonable. Top-end whiskies like Yamazaki 25, Hibiki 30, and Hakushu 25 are available for around $30 (per 0.5 oz. pour). That’s a great deal!
The distillery has an impressive library of whiskies that will make you drool. If you’re interested in doing the Yamazaki distillery tour, you’re going to need some luck.
Here’s Yamazaki’s page where you can sign up to visit the museum and library*. Tours are hard to get but worth seeking out.
While in the area, be sure to check out the 100 famous water: Rikyu no Mizu (離宮の水). It’s a twenty minute walk from the distillery. The water is indeed delicious and the shrine is a special experience.
*The Yamazaki Distillery is temporarily closed to the public during the Covid pandemic.
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Is Yamazaki 12 Year the Top Japanese Whisky?
Everyone has an opinion and I’d love to hear yours! Please share your thoughts on Yamazaki below by leaving a comment.
