The evolution of Suntory's Yamazaki Pure Malt whisky
Yamazaki is a signature single malt whiskey from Suntory, Japan's proud global whiskey manufacturer. Since its release in 1984, it has been beloved, favored, and enjoyed by whiskey lovers around the world. Current Yamazaki whiskey products, released since 2000, include unaged (NAS), 12-year, 18-year, and 25-year aged varieties, as well as 35-year, 50-year, and 55-year aged varieties. A few years ago, Yamazaki 55 Year Old was sold by lottery for 3 million yen (excluding tax), and looking back, I wish I had entered the lottery then.
Currently, Suntory's blended whiskey and Yamazaki single malt whiskey are made and sold using Yamazaki whiskey's raw spirits, but the origin of Yamazaki whiskey was Yamazaki Pure Malt Whisky 760ml, 43% (no age statement), which was released in 1984. Since its release, the design of Yamazaki's labels and caps has changed every few years, and by tracing these changes it is possible to determine the period when Yamazaki whiskey was produced and distributed.
Like most other whiskeys, Yamazaki whiskey has seen a steady decline in the quality of its constituent spirits since its release in 1984. Therefore, we encourage you to understand the evolution of Yamazaki whiskey and discover a more delicious Yamazaki whiskey to enjoy.
First generation) First generation Yamazaki Pure Malt (4516 notation)
Released in 1984, Special Grade Whisky, Pure Malt, No Age, 760ml, ◇4516
The first generation of Yamazaki whisky, the original "Yamazaki Pure Malt Whisky," was released with a volume of 760ml, an alcohol content of 43%, and no age indication. The reason the volume of whisky is 760ml, rather than the 700ml or 750ml commonly seen today, is due to the relationship between the imperial system used by Scotch whisky and the metric system used in Japan.
A typical whiskey volume of 4/5 quarts is equivalent to approximately 757ml to 760ml in liters, so whiskey distributed in Japan from the late 1970s to the early 1980s was generally bottled at 760ml. As the metric system became more widespread in the 1980s, whiskey volumes were standardized to 750ml, and Japan also switched to the 750ml notation. Later, it was changed back to 700ml without fractions, based on the metric system, which is the historical background.
This first generation of Yamazaki Pure Malt Whisky is thought to have been produced and shipped for a short period of less than two years, from 1984 to 1985. Bottles from this period are unique in that, in addition to having a 760ml capacity, they are labeled "Special Grade Whisky" as "PURE MALT" rather than "SINGLE MALT," and do not have an age indication, but instead have the number 4516 printed on them along with a diamond mark (◇).
The diamond mark and the number "4516" come from the fact that Yamazaki Whisky's taxable liquor customs clearance number was 4516, and the kanji and English letters written within the diamond mark (◇) indicate the local customs office where the whiskey cleared customs. Details of this customs clearance code are as follows:
<alphabet initial>
OK: Okinawa
K: Kobe
NY: Nagoya
Y: Yokohama
T: Tokyo
<Kanji abbreviation>
東 : Tokyo
大 : Osaka
沼津 : Numazu
Additionally, it appears that all product boxes from this period exist: paper boxes, paper and velvet boxes, and wooden boxes. Although there is a slight difference in age between each box, they were produced in a limited period of just over a year, and there are also differences depending on where they were sold, so we believe that dividing them into generations by box type is meaningful and will omit such a division.
While paper boxes are generally used for stock for overseas export, they appear to have been distributed domestically at times. Paper and velvet boxes were mostly used for domestic products. Later, wooden boxes with "Yamazaki" written on them became the norm, and for a while, they were used for distribution. However, the 1980s was not a time when whiskey was actively consumed, and there was a large amount of stock, so the distribution period of the Yamazaki whiskey in each box varied.
Second generation) The Beginning of Yamazaki Pure Malt (4516 notation)
: Production and distribution began around 1985, labeled as special grade whiskey, labeled as PURE MALT, no ageing indication, volume 760ml, ◇4516 notation no longer included .
This second-generation Yamazaki Pure Malt Whisky is thought to have been produced and shipped for only a short period between 1985 and 1986. The only difference between it and the first-generation is that it no longer has the "Dutyable Alcohol Customs Number and Symbol: Diamond Mark (◇) / 4516 notation," so there is no significant significance in distinguishing it, but collectors are keen to identify the one and only first-generation whiskeys, so we have made the distinction.
With the exception of the "Duty Alcohol Customs Number and Symbol: Diamond Mark (◇) and 4516 notation," the label notation on the front and back is identical to that of the first generation.
50ml mini bottles have been produced since this era and can still occasionally be found on the market.
Third Generation) Yamazaki 12 Year Old Pure Malt (Start of ageing list)
Produced from around 1986 to March 1989, this whisky is labeled as a special grade whisky, is labeled as pure malt, has a volume of 760ml, and is the first to include the age of 12 years .
Around 1986, Yamazaki Pure Malt Whisky was first labeled with a 12-year aging period. The special grade label continued to be used for whiskeys produced up until the end of March 1989, so the special grade label has not disappeared.
Design features of this third generation include:
1) Compared to later generations, the label lacks the gold border.
2) The Hibiki Crest mark in the upper left corner of the label is an older, rounded design compared to later generations.
3) It has the designation "special grade whiskey."
4) The capacity is 760ml.
5) The address is written as "Osaka City," which is the head office location.
6) The cap and back of the bottle are embossed with "SUNTORY - PURE MALT - WHISKY."
The back label of the third generation has also remained the same, with no changes from the simple design shown above.
4th generation) Yamazaki 12-year-old pure malt whiskey (no special grade)
Produced from April 1989 to around March 1990, labeled as PURE MALT, aged for 12 years, 750ml volume, and the first to not carry the "Special Grade Whisky" label .
This is the fourth generation of Yamazaki whiskey, produced from April 1989 to March 1990. As this generation was produced at the end of the so-called special grade era, there were many changes to the labels and bottles of Yamazaki Pure Malt Whisky.
Design features of this third generation include:
1) Unlike the previous generation, the label has a gold border around the outside.
2) The Hibiki Crest mark in the upper left corner of the label is an older, rounded design compared to later generations.
3) The notation "special grade whiskey" has disappeared.
4) The volume has been reduced by 10ml from 760ml to 750ml.
5) The address is written as "Osaka Prefecture," which is the head office address.
6) The three lines of text at the bottom of the back of the label get shorter as you go down.
7) There is no barcode or QR code on the back of the label.
8) The cap and the back of the bottle are embossed with "SUNTORY - PURE MALT - WHISKY."
Starting with this fourth generation, the label on the back has also changed, becoming a larger cream-colored label similar to the one on the front, as shown above.
5th generation) Yamazaki 12 Year Old Pure Malt during the transition period (changed to the new Hibiki mark)
Produced from April 1990 until around 1992, labeled as PURE MALT, aged for 12 years, 750ml capacity, Hibiki Crest logo changed to a new model .
This is the fifth generation Yamazaki Pure Malt Whisky, which was produced for a short period from April 1990 to around 1992, and is almost identical to the fourth generation.
The only change in this fifth generation is that the old Hibiki Crest on the left has been replaced with the new Hibiki Crest on the right, as shown above.
The back label of this fifth generation has no changes from the fourth generation.
6th generation) Yamazaki 12 Year Old Pure Malt (SYAN notation begins)
: Produced from 1992 until around 1994, labeled as PURE MALT, aged for 12 years, new Hibiki Crest mark, 750ml capacity, SYAN on the back label.
This is the sixth generation Yamazaki pure malt whiskey, produced from 1992 to around 1994.
The design features of this 6th generation are as follows:
1) The three lines of text at the bottom of the back page have been left-justified.
2) "SYAN" is printed on the bottom right of the back label.
3) The address is written as "Osaka Prefecture," which is the head office location.
4) There are no barcodes or QR codes.
5) The cap and back of the bottle are embossed with "SUNTORY - PURE MALT - WHISKY."
The most obvious change to this sixth generation is that the bottom three lines of text on the back label have been left-justified.
7th generation) Yamazaki Pure Malt (barcode markings begin)
Produced from 1994 to around 1996, marked as PURE MALT, aged for 12 years, new Hibiki Crest mark, 750ml capacity , marked as SYAN on the back label, barcode on the back label .
This is the seventh generation Yamazaki Pure Malt Whisky, produced from 1994 until around 1996. It was the first to feature a product barcode printed on the back label.
The design features of this 7th generation are as follows:
1) For the first time, a product barcode has been added to the bottom center of the back label.
2) The left alignment of the bottom three lines on the back side was maintained.
2) "SYAN" is printed in the bottom right corner of the back label of the bottle.
3) The address is written as "Osaka Prefecture," which is the head office location.
4) There is no QR code.
5) The cap and back of the bottle are embossed with "SUNTORY - PURE MALT - WHISKY."
*Changes in Yamazaki Pure Malt Whisky Cap Seal
Left) Cap seal of a bottle that was in circulation from 1994 to 1996.
Right) Cap seal of a bottle distributed after 1996
There's another change that's hard to notice from the 7th generation (barcode label) onwards. The direction of the dotted line on the cap seal has changed. Between 1994 and 1996, the dotted line on the cap seal for opening the bottle changed from a horizontal dotted line to a diagonal dotted line. This is a feature that makes it easy to spot fake Yamazaki whiskey, so it's worth remembering.
8th generation) Yamazaki's "last" pure malt
Produced from 1997 until around 2004, labeled as PURE MALT, aged for 12 years, new Hibiki Crest mark, 750ml capacity , bar code on back label, information on both sides of the bar code .
This is the 8th generation Yamazaki Pure Malt Whisky, produced from 1997 until around 2004, and is the "last Yamazaki Pure Malt" whiskey labeled as pure malt.
The design features of this 8th generation are as follows:
1) Information text is now printed on both sides of the barcode on the back label.
2) For the first time, the back label included the statement, "Underage drinking is prohibited by law."
3) For the first time, Suntory's customer service phone number appears on the back label.
4) The manufacturer's address on the back label was changed from Yamazaki 1023-1 to Yamazaki 5-2-1.
5) There is no QR code.
6) The cap and back of the bottle are embossed with "SUNTORY - PURE MALT - WHISKY."
9th Generation) Yamazaki 12 Year Single Malt
: Produced from 2004 to around 2007, marked, 12 years of ageing, new Hibiki Crest mark, 750ml capacity, bar code on back label, information on both sides of bar code, "PURE MALT" changed to "SINGLE MALT" .
This Yamazaki whiskey was produced just after the era of pure malt ended and the transition to "single malt" was made, and it seems to have been produced for several years.
The design features of this 9th generation are as follows:
1) The term "Pure Malt" has been changed to "Single Malt."
2) The word "YAMAZAKI" was written in English in the center of the front label.
3) The volume remained unchanged at 750ml.
4) The embossed text on the cap and back of the bottle has been changed from "SUNTORY - PURE MALT - WHISKY" to "SUNTORY - SINGLE MALT - WHISKY."
10th Generation) Yamazaki 12 Year Old Single Malt (700ml bottle)
: Produced from 2007 to around 2009, marked, 12 years of ageing indicated, new Hibiki crest, bar code on back label, information on both sides of bar code, "SINGLE MALT" marking, Hibiki crest has disappeared, volume changed from 750ml to 700ml.
This 10th generation Yamazaki 12 Year Old Whisky has a design and volume that is almost identical to the current product, "Yamazaki 12 Year Old Single Malt Whisky, 700ml, 43%."
Detailed design features of this 10th generation include:
1) The Hibiki mark on the top left of the label has completely disappeared.
2) The wording on the front of the label has been changed from "SUNTORY SINGLE MALT WHISKY 'YAMAZAKI'" to "THE YAMAZAKI SINGLE MALT WHISKY."
3) The cap and back of the bottle are embossed with "SUNTORY - SINGLE MALT - WHISKY."
4) The barcode on the back of the label has been changed from landscape to portrait orientation.
5) For the first time, the website address was printed on the back of the label.
6) The volume was reduced by 50ml from 750ml to 700ml.
*How to spot a fake Yamazaki whiskey
As of 2025, even in Japan, the home of Japanese whiskey, counterfeit whiskey made by foreigners is beginning to appear in large quantities. This is truly annoying. In Japan, private alcohol transactions for personal consumption are legal, and much whiskey is traded through Yahoo! Auctions and other peer-to-peer second-hand trading platforms. This makes it difficult for whiskey producers to control the distribution of counterfeit whiskey.
In recent years, counterfeit Japanese whiskeys have become so sophisticated that they are difficult to distinguish from genuine ones by design alone, and it seems that an increasing number of people are falling victim to these scams when purchasing used whiskey, including aged whiskey. The most common counterfeits in circulation are Yamazaki 18 Year Old and Hibiki 21 Year Old, and recently, even whiskeys without a stated age (NAS) are being counterfeited. For this reason, caution is required when purchasing the particularly popular Yamazaki whiskey, even the relatively inexpensive Yamazaki 12 Year Old.
*Accurate appraisal is difficult, but it is a good idea to pay attention to the following points.
- If something is missing from the characteristics of the whiskey labels and cap seals from each era since 1984, it is likely that the period characteristics are not accurate. If designs from different eras are clearly mixed, you should suspect a fake. However, please note that the above information does not cover all bottles, so there may be a mixture of changes from the earlier and later periods.
- Generally, it is not easy to obtain empty bottles of old Yamazaki bottles, and there tends to be few counterfeits of old bottled Yamazaki whiskey purchased from offline liquor stores in Japan. However, because "Yamazaki 18 Year Old Pure Malt Whisky," "Yamazaki Sherry Cask Aged Whisky," and "Yamazaki Distillery Owner's Cask Series" are traded at very high prices, there is a relatively high possibility that counterfeits will be made, even in small quantities. Therefore, it is a good idea to compare the color of the whiskey and the bottle design with photos of the genuine product.
- Yamazaki whiskey has the following notation embossed on the cap, label, and back of the bottle, and all three of the following markings must match for each generation.
- 'SUNTORY - PURE MALT - WHISKY`
- 'SUNTORY - SINGLE MALT - WHISKY`
- 'SUNTORY - WHISKY`
*About the original Yamazaki 18-year-old pure malt whisky
: Yamazaki's 18-year-old pure malt whiskey, first released in the early 1990s. It is labeled "PURE MALT, " has an ageing period of 18 years, is 750ml, and has no product barcode or bottle number.
This is the first generation of Yamazaki 18 Year Old Pure Malt, released in the early 1990s. Because Yamazaki 18 Year Old was released after the 1990s, it does not have the "Special Grade Whisky" designation, which was used until March 1989. It is also notable for not having the bottle numbering system that began in the mid-1990s. Other than the age and label color, Yamazaki 18 Year Old Pure Malt Whisky shares the same basic design and lettering as Yamazaki 12 Year Old Pure Malt Whisky, so it's a good idea to refer to the evolution of Yamazaki whiskey mentioned above.