Suntory The Yamazaki ‘Distiller’s Reserve’ Japanese Single Malt

The Yamazaki Distillery is highly selective about launching new products, which made the expanded 2025 introduction of the Distiller’s Reserve a major event for global whisky enthusiasts.

This release quickly cemented its status as a core offering despite not having an age statement as the flavor has won over even most of the most steadfast critics. The whisky’s quality and value easily justifies all the hype around a new offering from Japan’s flagship single malt producer.

What gives the Distiller’s Reserve its distinct, robust character is its highly sophisticated blending. The whisky is expertly curated from a range of cask types, including American oak, Spanish oak, and French ex-Bordeaux wine casks. Crucially, the blend incorporates some exceptionally rare, old sherry cask components, with some whiskies reportedly aged for over 18 years. This complexity results in a rich and layered profile that many drinkers actually prefer over the more expensive 12-year-old expression, proving that the master blenders at Suntory have achieved an exquisite balance of maturity, depth, and the characteristic elegance expected from Yamazaki.