サントリーの新時代への挑戦：「THE ESSENCE of SUNTORY WHISKY」シリーズ

Suntory's Challenge for a New Era: "THE ESSENCE of SUNTORY WHISKY" Series

In the fall of 2023, while visiting a Suntory affiliate, one of the whiskies offered as hospitality was the 2021 edition of this series: "Yamazaki 11 Year Old Islay Peated (54% ABV / 500ml)." I remember feeling a deep sense of regret at that moment, realizing that despite investing significant capital into whisky since 2021, I had been completely unaware of this limited series which began in February 2018. This whisky was so intriguing and boasted such magnificent refinement that it left a lasting impression.

While detailed information and the production background of this series are not widely publicized, I was fortunate enough to receive a thorough explanation from Suntory Headquarters. These bottles are truly original. They represent the crystallization of Suntory’s 100-year history of whisky making, born from the passion and struggle to determine how the company should lead Japanese whisky into its next century.

Moving away from the conventional approaches of Yamazaki, Hakushu, Hibiki, and Chita, this series encapsulates experimental trials such as maturation in unprecedented casks, unique blending techniques, and even the release of a completely new "Rice Whisky." Since 2018, two to three expressions have been released annually, with extremely limited production runs of only about 3,000 bottles each. Here are the details of each bottle, serving as a record of Suntory's new frontier.

 

[First Release] February 27, 2018: Rediscovering the Character of the Three Distilleries

The inaugural release features spirits from the three iconic distilleries: Yamazaki, Hakushu, and Chita.

1. Single Malt Whisky Yamazaki Distillery (Peated Malt)

  • Age : 12 years
  • Alcohol content : 49%
  • Cask : American oak hogshead
  • Capacity : 500ml
  • Characteristics : Yamazaki Distillery produces a diverse array of spirits, including peated malt. Typically used as a "secret ingredient" in blending to add complexity to the aroma and an accent to the finish, this expression features carefully selected peated spirits that possess a powerful smokiness balanced by the soft maturation characteristic of Yamazaki.

 

2. Single Malt Whisky Hakushu Distillery (Rye Type)

  • Age : 4 years
  • Alcohol content : 47%
  • Cask : American oak bourbon barrels (new oak)
  • Capacity : 500ml
  • Characteristics : This whisky was produced using special small continuous stills installed at Hakushu in 2010. To preserve the unique character of rye, it was distilled at a lower alcohol percentage. Matured in heavily charred new bourbon oak barrels, it offers floral and herbal notes with the distinctive spicy lingering finish of rye.

 

3. Single Grain Whisky Chita Distillery (Wine Cask 4-Year Finish)

  • Age : 16 years
  • Alcohol content : 47%
  • Cask : American oak bourbon barrels (12 years) → Bordeaux wine casks (4 years)
  • Capacity : 500ml
  • Characteristics : Medium-type grain spirit matured in white oak for over 12 years was finished in Bordeaux red wine casks for an additional 4 years. This expression allows for an intuitive enjoyment of the clean, straightforward texture of grain whisky combined with the elegant sweetness and flavor derived from wine casks.

 

[Second Release] February 26, 2019: The Depths of Cask Strength

The second release focuses on the mastery of maturation, primarily using Spanish Oak casks. This release is highly sought after by enthusiasts as these Yamazaki single malts are bottled at (or near) cask strength. Having tasted the entire range, I found the Spanish Oak expression to be the most intuitively delicious.

4. Single Malt Whisky Yamazaki Distillery (Spanish Oak)

  • Age : 9 years
  • Alcohol content : 56%
  • Cask : Spanish oak (new oak)
  • Capacity : 500ml
  • Characteristics : Suntory manages everything from sourcing the timber to assembling these Spanish Oak casks. Matured exclusively in new oak, this whisky is characterized by its woody and spicy aroma with a rich, well-defined flavor profile.

 

5. Single Malt Whisky Yamazaki Distillery (Montilla Wine Cask)

  • Age : 9 years
  • Alcohol content : 55%
  • Cask : Montilla wine oak
  • Capacity : 500ml
  • Characteristics : This whisky uses Spanish Oak casks previously used to mature Montilla, a fortified wine from the Montilla-Moriles region of southern Spain. It offers a rich sweetness reminiscent of Pedro Ximénez, with a complex and long-lasting finish.

 

6. Single Malt Whisky Yamazaki Distillery (Refill Sherry Cask)

  • Age : 10 years
  • Alcohol content : 53%
  • Cask : Spanish oak refill sherry cask
  • Capacity : 500ml
  • Characteristics : Re-matured in sherry casks that had already been used once for whisky (refill casks). In contrast to the intense richness of a first-fill cask, the refill offers a smooth, clear taste and subtle nuances of maturation.

 

[Third Release] October 29, 2019: Innovation in Sugi (Japanese Cedar) Casks

A new exploration into the possibilities of blended whisky using Sugi, a wood native to Japan. The "Rich Type" is particularly notable here. Although blended whiskies are sometimes less popular than single malts, this is a premium expression using the oldest matured spirits in the entire Essence series.

7. Blended Japanese Whisky (Clean Type)

  • Composition : Hakushu (aged in cedar barrels and white oak), Chita (clean type)
  • Age : 6 years or more
  • Alcohol content : 48%
  • Cask : Cedar
  • Capacity : 500ml
  • Characteristics : The blend is centered around Hakushu malt matured for over 6 years in "Sugi Casks" (using cedar for the headboards). The refreshing aroma of the cedar harmonizes with the clean grain spirit, resulting in a very crisp and cool sweetness.

 

8. Blended Japanese Whisky (Rich Type)

  • Composition : Yamazaki (aged in cedar barrels, sherry, Mizunara oak), Chita (18 years or older)
  • Age : 18 years or more
  • Alcohol content : 48%
  • Cask : White oak, cedar, sherry, Mizunara
  • Capacity : 500ml
  • Characteristics : Yamazaki malt matured in white oak for 12 years was finished in Sugi casks for an additional 6 years. This was then masterfully blended with Yamazaki malts matured for 18 years in Sherry and Mizunara casks, along with Chita grain whisky aged for at least 18 years. It offers a sweet and rich matured taste followed by a lingering cedar aroma.

 

[Fourth Release] April 28, 2020: Fusion of Sakura and Rice

A Rice Whisky produced at Osumi Shuzo, a Suntory Group distillery primarily known for Otsu-rui Shochu. Made from rice, saccharified with malted barley, fermented, and distilled. Matured in white oak for over 3 years, it has a plump, light top note with hints of white peach and a soft, airy palate.

9. Rice Whiskey ( Osumi Shuzo )

  • Age : 3 years or more
  • Alcohol content : 56%
  • Cask : White oak
  • Capacity : 500ml
  • Characteristics : Produced at Osumi Shuzo using rice as the primary ingredient and malt for fermentation. It is a unique and light expression that combines a plump aroma reminiscent of freshly cooked rice with the fruitiness of white peach.

 

10. Single Grain Whisky Chita Distillery (Sakura Cask Finish Blend)

  • Age : 18 years
  • Alcohol content : 50%
  • Cask : Sakura (Sakura Cask)
  • Capacity : 500ml
  • Characteristics : Chita grain whisky aged in white oak for 15 years was finished in Sakura casks for an additional 3 years. The elegant aroma reminiscent of Sakura-mochi (cherry blossom rice cakes) blends beautifully with the mellowness of Chita spirits aged between 12 and 21 years.

 

[Fifth Release] August 31, 2021: Commitment to Malt Varieties

Two single malts: one using the rare "Golden Promise" barley, and another using malt dried with peat from the island of Islay. The Golden Promise release is likely Suntory's first official whisky dedicated to this variety, and its execution is superb.

11. Yamazaki Distillery's Golden Promise Single Malt Whisky

  • Age : 11 years
  • Alcohol content : 53%
  • Capacity : 500ml
  • Characteristics : Made exclusively with Golden Promise malt, the rare variety that was dominant in Scotland from the 1960s to the 1980s. In addition to Yamazaki’s power, it highlights the soft cereal aroma and dense richness unique to this barley variety.

 

12. Single Malt Whisky Yamazaki Distillery (Islay Peated)

  • Age : 11 years
  • Alcohol content : 54%
  • Capacity : 500ml
  • Characteristics : Uses malt dried with peat harvested from the island of Islay. The powerful smokiness and maritime notes unique to Islay peat bloom brilliantly within Yamazaki's refined spirit profile.

 

Market Value and Future Outlook

While the Essence of Suntory series was originally priced at 8,000 yen, market prices have since skyrocketed due to the global popularity of the Yamazaki brand. In overseas markets like Europe, some bottles trade for over $1,500. While they are difficult to find even within Japan, compared to global prices, there is still a chance to acquire them. These rare bottles, representing the pinnacle of Suntory's technical skill, will undoubtedly continue to grow in value as both collectibles and supreme tasting experiences.

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