House of Suntory presents four new editions of the Tsukuriwake series

Suntory presents four whiskies as the 2024 Tsukuriwake Series. This series is intended to showcase the diversity and rich variety of whisky production. The Yamazaki Golden Promise, Yamazaki Islay Peated Malt, Hakushu 18 Year Old Peated Malt and Yamazaki 18 Year Old Mizunara follow the great success of the 2022 editions.

There were no Tsukuriwake releases last year, as the company was celebrating the 100th anniversary of the start of Japanese whisky history.

“Tsukuriwake translates to ‘artisanship through a diversity of making’, which is truly what the 2024 Series represents with each of the four liquids included,” says Chief Blender of Suntory Shinji Fukuyo. “While past releases from the collection focused mainly on the details of the casks, The 2024 Tsukuriwake Series emphasizes the elements of whisky making, such as ingredient selection, peat, and cask. This series is the ultimate showcase of the incredible diversity of choices that goes into the making of Yamazaki and Hakushu whiskies.”

It is not yet known at what price the four bottlings will be available in Germany and Austria. According to Spirits Business magazine, Yamazaki Golden Promise and Yamazaki Islay Peated Malt will be released in the US for 465 US dollars each. They were bottled at 48% ABV. The price of the Yamazaki 18 Year Old Mizunara, also with an alcohol content of 48% ABV., is therefore USD 1,500, while the Hakushu 18 Year Old Peated Malt is USD 1,200 with an alcohol content of 43% ABV.

This Yamazaki is based on barley of the Golden Promise variety. It was first cultivated in Scotland in the 1960s. The whisky was matured in American oak casks.

Color: Barley gold

Nose: Reminiscent of a fragrance with sweet malt, vanilla and honey

Palate: Rich and full with hints of orange marmalade and custard

Finish: Sweet and fruity with citrus, long and lasting

Peat from Islay is known for the special smokiness that is created when the barley is malted with it and which differs from that achieved with Highland peat.

Color: Bright gold

Nose: Gently smoky with a hint of biscuit

Palate: Smooth and sweet like brown sugar, followed by citrus of bitter orange

Finish: Warm, slow and sweetly smoky

This is a limited edition bottling of the popular regular 18 year old Yamazaki Mizunara. The casks made from this oak wood are known for the complex and spicy notes they impart to the whisky during long storage.

Color: Reddish Amber

Nose: Rich and elegant top notes of dark cherry, ripe peach with hints 
of cinnamon and nutmeg

Palate: Subtly spiced organette with undernotes of Japanese incense

Finish: Long and lingering, accentuated with clove, sandalwood and 
hints of dried coconut

This 18-year-old whisky is a limited edition of the classic Hakushu 18 Year Old Peated Malt.

Color: Luminous gold

Nose: Vibrant with top notes of sage, ripe green apple and hints of ripe pineapple

Palate: Complex smoke revealing layers of herbal, grapefruit and acacia honey notes

Finish: Clean smoke that lingers with undernotes of fresh green citrus

Source and image:Suntory Global Spirits