Yamazaki Kogei Collection Peated Spanish Oak

Volume: 0.7 litres | Alcohol content: 43% | Chill filtration: Yes | Colouring: No

Special Features:

The Kogei Collection Japanese Kimono Edition pairs peated Yamazaki malt with maturation in Spanish oak. Chief Blender Shinji Fukuyo revisits an early Suntory production approach: the combination was considered too heavy at the time, so American oak was used for peated malts instead. Yamazaki’s warm climate contributes tropical fruit notes, while the Spanish oak adds dried fruit, chocolate and spices. Peat smoke provides a striking counterpoint.

Suntory worked with Chiso, a Kyoto kimono house making kimonos since 1555, on the label and gift packaging. Golden, cloud-like stamped motifs and misty areas evoke the confluence of three rivers near the distillery. The edition was created for international travel retail.

Tasting Notes:

• Nose: The nose offers dark mocha, raisins and almonds.
• Palate: Pronounced smoke meets roasted cocoa on the palate.
• Finish: The long finish brings bittersweet, caramelised baking spices.

Distillery/Bottler:

Suntory founder Shinjiro Torii began building Yamazaki Distillery, Japan’s first malt whisky distillery, near Kyoto in 1923; distillation began in 1924. The Katsura, Uji and Kizu rivers meet at the site. The humid, misty surroundings and changing temperatures shape the conditions for cask maturation.

Yamazaki uses different approaches to fermentation, distillation and maturation to produce a wide range of malt whiskies. Suntory Spirits Limited operates the distillery, while Suntory Holdings Limited owns the THE YAMAZAKI brand. For this edition, Chief Blender Shinji Fukuyo paired peated malt with Spanish oak casks; Chiso designed the label and packaging.

Facts: