Suntory has announced they will be launching an extremely limited run of the highly limited-edition Yamazaki 55 whisky to Global Travel Retail. The Yamazaki 55 whiskey is the house’s oldest release in its history and pays tribute to the founding family of Japanese whisky and the Japanese “Showa” era of the 1960s.

Distilled in 1960 under the supervision of Suntory’s founder Shinjiro Torii, the previous malt whiskey has been aged in Mizunara casks followed by another ageing in White Oak casks. This results in a deep amber colour, robust with aroma redolent of sandal wood and well-ripened fruit; sweet, slightly bitter and woody palate; and slightly bitter yet sweet and rich finish.

Each bottle features the Japanese character for ‘Yamazaki’ engraved in calligraphy and accentuated with gold dust. The bottle’s opening is wrapped in handmade Echizen washi paper and bound with a Kyo-kumihimo plaited cord, a traditional craft from Kyoto. Each bottle is enclosed in a bespoke box made Japanese Mizunara wood and coated with Suruga lacquer.

Suntory will also be donating USD$5,000 for every bottle released of this year’s 100-bottle collection to The White Oak Initiative, a group committed to the long-term sustainability of America’s white oak forests.

The Yamazaki 55 will be available at select retailers with bottles found in London, Paris, Hainan, Hong Kong, Taipei, Amsterdam, Seoul, Delhi, Istanbul, Dubai and Singapore.

Source: Beam Suntory Inc.