{"title":"YAMAZAKI — BRAND","description":"\u003cstyle\u003e\n.mw-master-container{\n --mw-accent: #D5A86F; \/* metallic foil — warm gold script \u0026 label *\/\n --mw-glow: #88230F; \/* power color — deep sherried red *\/\n --mw-bg: #0E0807; \/* deep lowlight — near-black *\/\n --mw-text:#e0e0e0; --mw-muted:#b8b8b8; --mw-hair:#222;\n font-family: inherit; background:var(--mw-bg); color:var(--mw-text);\n line-height:1.7; padding:24px; margin-bottom:60px;\n}\n.mw-master-container .mw-h3{ color:var(--mw-accent); font-weight:bold; text-transform:uppercase;\n font-size:0.9rem; letter-spacing:2px; margin-top:40px; display:block;\n border-bottom:1px solid var(--mw-glow); padding-bottom:8px; margin-bottom:20px; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-accent{ color:var(--mw-accent); font-weight:bold; text-decoration:none; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-accent:hover{ color:#fff; text-decoration:underline; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-info-box{ background:linear-gradient(90deg, var(--mw-bg) 0%, var(--mw-glow) 100%);\n padding:25px; margin:25px 0; border-radius:0 4px 4px 0; border:1px solid var(--mw-hair);\n border-left:4px solid var(--mw-accent); }\n.mw-master-container .mw-grid{ display:grid; grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr; gap:30px; margin:30px 0; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-card{ background:rgba(255,255,255,0.02); padding:25px;\n border:1px solid var(--mw-glow); border-radius:4px; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-table{ width:100%; border-collapse:collapse; margin-top:15px; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-table td{ padding:14px 0; border-bottom:1px solid var(--mw-hair);\n color:#ccc; font-size:0.95rem; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-table td:first-child{ font-weight:bold; width:40%; color:var(--mw-accent);\n text-transform:uppercase; font-size:0.75rem; letter-spacing:1px; }\n.mw-master-container details{ background:rgba(255,255,255,0.03); border:1px solid var(--mw-hair);\n border-radius:4px; margin-bottom:15px; }\n.mw-master-container summary{ padding:18px; color:var(--mw-accent); font-weight:bold; cursor:pointer;\n outline:none; list-style:none; display:flex; justify-content:space-between; align-items:center;\n text-transform:uppercase; letter-spacing:1px; font-size:0.85rem; }\n.mw-master-container summary::after{ content:'+'; font-size:1.2rem; }\n.mw-master-container details[open]{ border:1px solid var(--mw-accent); }\n.mw-master-container details[open] summary::after{ content:'-'; }\n.mw-master-container .details-content{ padding:0 20px 20px 20px; font-size:0.95rem; }\n@media (max-width:768px){ .mw-master-container .mw-grid{ grid-template-columns:1fr; } }\n\u003c\/style\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"mw-master-container\"\u003e\n\n \u003cdiv class=\"speakable\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eYamazaki is the birthplace of Japanese whisky — the single malt from Japan's first distillery, opened by Suntory's Shinjiro Torii in 1923 near Kyoto. Its Yamazaki 12 was the country's first single malt, and a sherried 2013 release was named World Whisky of the Year in 2015. Layered and elegant, often built on Japanese mizunara oak, it remains both pioneer and benchmark. This page gathers the Yamazaki expressions in the vault, from the core 12, 18 and 25 to the cask editions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n \u003cspan class=\"mw-h3\"\u003eThe Distillery\u003c\/span\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-info-box\"\u003e\n \u003cul style=\"margin:0; padding-left:20px; font-size:0.95rem;\"\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eJapan's \u003cstrong\u003efirst and oldest\u003c\/strong\u003e malt whisky distillery — founded \u003cstrong\u003e1923\u003c\/strong\u003e by Suntory's Shinjiro Torii.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eAt the foot of \u003cstrong\u003eMount Tennōzan near Kyoto\u003c\/strong\u003e, where the Katsura, Uji and Kizu rivers meet — chosen for soft water and a misty climate.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMasataka Taketsuru\u003c\/strong\u003e, later the founder of Nikka, was its first distillery manager.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eA dozen stills of varying shapes make many spirit styles in-house; maturation spans \u003cstrong\u003eAmerican oak, Spanish sherry and mizunara\u003c\/strong\u003e (Japanese oak).\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eYamazaki 12 (1984)\u003c\/strong\u003e was Japan's first single malt; Yamazaki is the best-selling single malt in Japan.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMizunara\u003c\/strong\u003e — first used here during WWII when sherry casks ran short — is a Yamazaki signature.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003c\/ul\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-grid\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-card\"\u003e\n \u003cspan class=\"mw-accent\" style=\"font-size:0.75rem; text-transform:uppercase; letter-spacing:1px;\"\u003eThe Birthplace of Japanese Whisky\u003c\/span\u003e\n \u003cdiv style=\"margin-top:20px; font-size:0.9rem;\" class=\"speakable\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eShinjiro Torii founded what became Suntory in 1899, selling Western-style spirits and the sweet Akadama wine. Convinced Japan could make a great whisky suited to its own palate, he built Yamazaki in 1923 — the country's first distillery — and hired the Scotland-trained Masataka Taketsuru to run it. The first bottling, Suntory Shirofuda, arrived in 1929 to a quiet reception; success came with Kakubin in 1937. A century on, Yamazaki is where Japanese whisky began, and still a benchmark for it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-card\"\u003e\n \u003cspan class=\"mw-accent\" style=\"font-size:0.75rem; text-transform:uppercase; letter-spacing:1px;\"\u003eRivers, Stills and Mizunara\u003c\/span\u003e\n \u003cp style=\"font-size:0.90rem; margin-top:20px;\"\u003eThe site sits in a misty valley where three rivers converge, giving soft water and humidity that suit maturation. Inside, a dozen stills of different shapes and sizes let the distillery make a wide spread of spirit styles in-house, which are then aged across American oak, Spanish sherry and mizunara. That Japanese oak — first pressed into service in wartime — lends the incense and sandalwood notes collectors prize, and is much of what makes Yamazaki taste like nowhere else.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n \u003cdetails\u003e\n \u003csummary\u003eThe Expressions\u003c\/summary\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"details-content\"\u003e\n \u003cp style=\"font-size:0.9rem; margin-bottom:6px; margin-top:0;\"\u003eThe Yamazaki range in the vault — we link each as it's added:\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003ctable class=\"mw-table\" style=\"margin-top:0;\"\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"2\" style=\"color:var(--mw-accent); font-weight:bold; text-transform:uppercase; letter-spacing:1px; font-size:0.8rem; padding-top:6px; border-bottom:1px solid var(--mw-glow);\"\u003eCore\u003c\/td\u003e\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"[PASTE_YAMAZAKI_12_URL]\" class=\"mw-accent\"\u003eYamazaki 12 Year\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eJapan's first single malt (1984)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"[PASTE_YAMAZAKI_18_URL]\" class=\"mw-accent\"\u003eYamazaki 18 Year\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDeeply sherried; the flagship aged release\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/yamazaki-25-year-japanese-whisky\" class=\"mw-accent\"\u003eYamazaki 25 Year\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMahogany, rich and rare\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"[PASTE_YAMAZAKI_DR_URL]\" class=\"mw-accent\"\u003eYamazaki Distiller's Reserve\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNo age statement; the entry to the range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"2\" style=\"color:var(--mw-accent); font-weight:bold; text-transform:uppercase; letter-spacing:1px; font-size:0.8rem; padding-top:22px; border-bottom:1px solid var(--mw-glow);\"\u003eCask Editions\u003c\/td\u003e\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"[PASTE_YAMAZAKI_MIZUNARA_URL]\" class=\"mw-accent\"\u003eYamazaki Mizunara\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eJapanese-oak matured\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"[PASTE_YAMAZAKI_SHERRY_URL]\" class=\"mw-accent\"\u003eYamazaki Sherry Cask\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eThe 2013 was World Whisky of the Year (2015)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"[PASTE_YAMAZAKI_BOURBON_URL]\" class=\"mw-accent\"\u003eYamazaki Bourbon Barrel\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAmerican-oak matured\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\n \u003cp style=\"margin-top:18px; font-size:0.9rem; margin-bottom:0;\"\u003eYamazaki sits within the wider \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/japanese-whisky\" class=\"mw-accent\"\u003eJapanese whisky\u003c\/a\u003e collection, alongside its Suntory stablemates Hakushu and Hibiki. For the tradition it was modelled on, see \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/scotch\" class=\"mw-accent\"\u003esingle malt Scotch\u003c\/a\u003e, or browse \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/best-sellers\" class=\"mw-accent\"\u003eour best sellers\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003c\/details\u003e\n\n \u003cdetails\u003e\n \u003csummary\u003eCollector Note\u003c\/summary\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"details-content\"\u003e\n \u003cp style=\"margin:0;\"\u003eYamazaki is among the most collected whiskies in the world. When global demand outran supply, age-stated 12, 18 and 25 became hard to find and climbed in price, and the cask editions — especially the Sherry Cask 2013 and the Mizunara releases — trade well above issue. Authenticity matters as much as anything here, since high prices attract counterfeits: age, edition, fill level and condition all shape what a bottle is worth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003c\/details\u003e\n\n \u003cdetails\u003e\n \u003csummary\u003eHow Yamazaki Is Made\u003c\/summary\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"details-content\"\u003e\u003cp style=\"margin:0;\"\u003eYamazaki draws soft water from a valley where three rivers meet and ferments in wooden washbacks before distilling in a dozen pot stills of deliberately varied shapes and sizes — the range of stills is how one distillery produces so many different spirit characters. Those spirits then mature across American oak, Spanish sherry and Japanese mizunara, in a climate whose swings of temperature and humidity Suntory calls its own kind of maturation. Blending those many components is what gives Yamazaki its layered, elegant style; mizunara is the cask that makes it unmistakably Japanese.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003c\/details\u003e\n \n \u003cdetails\u003e\n \u003csummary\u003eAuthentication \u0026amp; Vault Preservation\u003c\/summary\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"details-content\"\u003e\n \u003cp style=\"margin:0;\"\u003eEvery Yamazaki bottle sold through Midnight Whiskey is sourced as an authorized, authentic retailer, vault-stored and insured, shipped with protective handling and age-verified 21-and-over signature on delivery, and authenticated by our concierge before it ships. For the details, see \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/about-the-vault\" class=\"mw-accent\"\u003ehow each bottle is checked and verified\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/the-vault-concierge\" class=\"mw-accent\"\u003evault storage and our concierge\u003c\/a\u003e, and \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/faq\" class=\"mw-accent\"\u003eshipping, sourcing and more\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003c\/details\u003e\n \n \u003cdetails\u003e\n \u003csummary\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/summary\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"details-content\"\u003e\n \u003cp style=\"margin-top:0;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is Yamazaki whisky?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYamazaki is the single malt from Japan's first and oldest whisky distillery, founded by Suntory's Shinjiro Torii in 1923 at the foot of Mount Tennōzan near Kyoto. It's the whisky that began the Japanese category — and, in the form of Yamazaki 12, the first Japanese single malt, launched in 1984. Made with a wide range of still shapes and cask types, including Japanese mizunara oak, it's known for an elegant, layered style and is the best-selling single malt in Japan.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003cp style=\"margin-top:14px; margin-bottom:0;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat's special about the Yamazaki distillery and its casks?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTorii chose the site where the Katsura, Uji and Kizu rivers meet, for its soft water and misty, humid climate — conditions that suit slow maturation. The distillery runs a dozen stills of different shapes to make many spirit styles in-house, then matures across American oak, Spanish sherry and mizunara, the prized Japanese oak first used here during the Second World War when sherry casks ran short. One of its sherried releases, the Yamazaki Sherry Cask 2013, was named World Whisky of the Year in Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2015.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003c\/details\u003e\n\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e\n{\n \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n \"@graph\": [\n {\n \"@type\": \"CollectionPage\",\n \"@id\": \"https:\/\/midnightwhiskey.com\/collections\/yamazaki#collectionpage\",\n \"name\": \"Yamazaki\",\n \"description\": \"Yamazaki — single malt Japanese whisky from the Yamazaki Distillery, Japan's first and oldest, founded by Suntory's Shinjiro Torii in 1923 near Kyoto. Known for an elegant, layered style and the use of Japanese mizunara oak.\",\n \"url\": \"https:\/\/midnightwhiskey.com\/collections\/yamazaki\",\n \"about\": { \"@id\": \"https:\/\/midnightwhiskey.com\/collections\/yamazaki#brand\" },\n \"mainEntity\": { \"@id\": \"https:\/\/midnightwhiskey.com\/collections\/yamazaki#itemlist\" }\n },\n {\n \"@type\": \"Brand\",\n \"@id\": \"https:\/\/midnightwhiskey.com\/collections\/yamazaki#brand\",\n \"name\": \"Yamazaki\",\n \"description\": \"Single malt Japanese whisky made at the Yamazaki Distillery in Shimamoto, Osaka — Japan's first and oldest malt whisky distillery, founded in 1923 by Suntory founder Shinjiro Torii. 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It's the whisky that began the Japanese category — and, in the form of Yamazaki 12, the first Japanese single malt, launched in 1984. Made with a wide range of still shapes and cask types, including Japanese mizunara oak, it's known for an elegant, layered style and is the best-selling single malt in Japan.\" }\n },\n {\n \"@type\": \"Question\",\n \"name\": \"What's special about the Yamazaki distillery and its casks?\",\n \"acceptedAnswer\": { \"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Torii chose the site where the Katsura, Uji and Kizu rivers meet, for its soft water and misty, humid climate — conditions that suit slow maturation. The distillery runs a dozen stills of different shapes to make many spirit styles in-house, then matures across American oak, Spanish sherry and mizunara, the prized Japanese oak first used here during the Second World War when sherry casks ran short. One of its sherried releases, the Yamazaki Sherry Cask 2013, was named World Whisky of the Year in Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2015.\" }\n }\n ]\n }\n ]\n}\n\u003c\/script\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"yamazaki-12-year","title":"The Yamazaki 12 Year Old Single Malt Japanese Whisky — Suntory Flagship, 43% ABV","description":"\u003cstyle\u003e\n.mw-master-container{\n --mw-accent: #A98664; \/* metallic foil *\/\n --mw-glow: #BD4302; \/* power color *\/\n --mw-bg: #1B110A; \/* deep lowlight *\/\n --mw-text:#e0e0e0; --mw-muted:#a89a85; --mw-hair:#2c1d12;\n font-family: inherit; background:var(--mw-bg); color:var(--mw-text);\n line-height:1.7; padding:24px; margin-bottom:60px;\n}\n.mw-master-container .mw-h3{ color:var(--mw-accent); font-weight:bold; text-transform:uppercase;\n font-size:0.9rem; letter-spacing:2px; margin-top:40px; display:block;\n border-bottom:1px solid var(--mw-glow); padding-bottom:8px; margin-bottom:20px; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-accent{ color:var(--mw-accent); font-weight:bold; text-decoration:none; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-accent:hover{ color:#fff; text-decoration:underline; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-info-box{ background:linear-gradient(90deg, var(--mw-bg) 0%, var(--mw-glow) 100%);\n padding:25px; margin:25px 0; border-radius:0 4px 4px 0; border:1px solid var(--mw-hair);\n border-left:4px solid var(--mw-accent); }\n.mw-master-container .mw-grid{ display:grid; grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr; gap:30px; margin:30px 0; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-card{ background:rgba(255,255,255,0.02); padding:25px;\n border:1px solid var(--mw-glow); border-radius:4px; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-table{ width:100%; border-collapse:collapse; margin-top:15px; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-table td{ padding:14px 0; border-bottom:1px solid var(--mw-hair);\n color:#ccc; font-size:0.95rem; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-table td:first-child{ font-weight:bold; width:38%; color:var(--mw-accent);\n text-transform:uppercase; font-size:0.75rem; letter-spacing:1px; }\n.mw-master-container details{ background:rgba(255,255,255,0.03); border:1px solid var(--mw-hair);\n border-radius:4px; margin-bottom:15px; }\n.mw-master-container summary{ padding:18px; color:var(--mw-accent); font-weight:bold; cursor:pointer;\n outline:none; list-style:none; display:flex; justify-content:space-between; align-items:center;\n text-transform:uppercase; letter-spacing:1px; font-size:0.85rem; }\n.mw-master-container summary::after{ content:'+'; font-size:1.2rem; }\n.mw-master-container details[open]{ border:1px solid var(--mw-accent); }\n.mw-master-container details[open] summary::after{ content:'-'; }\n.mw-master-container .details-content{ padding:0 20px 20px 20px; font-size:0.95rem; }\n@media (max-width:768px){ .mw-master-container .mw-grid{ grid-template-columns:1fr; } }\n\u003c\/style\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"mw-master-container\"\u003e\n\n \u003cdiv class=\"speakable\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Yamazaki 12 Year is the original single malt from Suntory's Yamazaki Distillery, the first and oldest malt whisky distillery in Japan, and the line's benchmark age statement. A Japanese single malt bottled at 43% ABV (86 proof), it is matured for twelve years in a combination of American ex-bourbon oak, Spanish Oloroso sherry, and Japanese Mizunara oak. That blend gives it a fruit-forward character: peach, pineapple, and grapefruit, with candied orange and vanilla, and the clove-and-sandalwood signature that Mizunara oak lends. Pure gold in the glass, it carries coconut, cranberry, and butter on the palate, with honeyed sweetness and gentle spice, and a long, sweet finish of ginger and cinnamon. It is the younger, lighter counterpart to the Yamazaki 18, and one of the most allocated Japanese whiskies released.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n \u003cspan class=\"mw-h3\"\u003eThe Elemental Distinction\u003c\/span\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-info-box\"\u003e\n \u003cul style=\"margin:0; padding-left:20px; font-size:0.95rem;\"\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eThe original Yamazaki single malt, launched in 1984 — the benchmark age statement of the line.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eAged 12 years and bottled at 43% ABV (86 proof).\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eA balanced three-cask blend: American ex-bourbon oak, Spanish Oloroso sherry, and rare Japanese Mizunara oak.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eFruit-forward and layered — peach, pineapple, grapefruit, coconut, and the sandalwood signature of Mizunara.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eFrom Yamazaki, Japan's first and oldest malt distillery (1923); meets the JSLMA Japanese-whisky standard. 700 ml as labeled.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003c\/ul\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-grid\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-card\"\u003e\n \u003cspan class=\"mw-accent\" style=\"font-size:0.75rem; text-transform:uppercase; letter-spacing:1px;\"\u003eSensory Profile\u003c\/span\u003e\n \u003cdiv style=\"margin-top:20px; font-size:0.9rem;\" class=\"speakable\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNose:\u003c\/strong\u003e Peach, pineapple, and grapefruit, with candied orange, vanilla, and the clove and sandalwood of Mizunara oak.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003cp style=\"margin-top:10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePalate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Coconut, cranberry, and butter, with honeyed sweetness and gentle spice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003cp style=\"margin-top:10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e Long and sweet, with ginger and cinnamon.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-card\"\u003e\n \u003cspan class=\"mw-accent\" style=\"font-size:0.75rem; text-transform:uppercase; letter-spacing:1px;\"\u003eStrategic Position\u003c\/span\u003e\n \u003cp style=\"font-size:0.90rem; margin-top:20px;\"\u003eThe benchmark age statement and the lighter counterpart to \u003ca href=\"\/products\/yamazaki-18-year\" class=\"mw-accent\"\u003ethe older 18-year expression\u003c\/a\u003e. Browse \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/japanese-whisky\" class=\"mw-accent\"\u003ethe rest of our Japanese whisky\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/whisky\" class=\"mw-accent\"\u003ethe broader whisky selection\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n \u003cdetails\u003e\n \u003csummary\u003eTechnical Specifications\u003c\/summary\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"details-content\"\u003e\n \u003ctable class=\"mw-table\" style=\"margin-top:0;\"\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBrand \/ Producer\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eThe Yamazaki (Suntory) — the original single malt, launched 1984\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDistillery\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYamazaki Distillery, Shimamoto, Osaka Prefecture, Japan — founded 1923, the oldest in Japan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCategory\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eJapanese Single Malt Whisky (100% malted barley, pot-distilled)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCask Types\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAmerican ex-bourbon oak, Spanish Oloroso sherry, and Japanese Mizunara oak\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eABV \/ Proof\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e43% ABV (86 proof)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAge Statement\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e12 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eColor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePure gold\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBottle Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e700 ml (70cl) as labeled — confirm 700 ml vs 750 ml for the US SKU\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eJapan (Osaka Prefecture)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePosition In Line\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eThe benchmark age statement — the younger expression below the 18 Year\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eStandard\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMeets the JSLMA Japanese-whisky labeling standard\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003c\/details\u003e\n\n \u003cdetails\u003e\n \u003csummary\u003eCollector Note\u003c\/summary\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"details-content\"\u003e\n \u003cp style=\"margin:0;\"\u003eThe Yamazaki 12 is where the modern Japanese single-malt story begins. Launched in 1984, it was the original Yamazaki expression and remains the line's benchmark age statement — the bottle most drinkers meet first. Suntory's Yamazaki Distillery opened in 1923 on the outskirts of Kyoto, on a site Shinjiro Torii chose for its pure water and its long association with the Japanese tea ceremony, where the tea master Sen no Rikyu once worked. The 12 Year draws its character from three woods — American ex-bourbon oak for fruit and vanilla, Spanish Oloroso sherry for depth, and a measure of scarce Japanese Mizunara oak for the sandalwood and incense that has become the distillery's signature. Aged Japanese whisky has grown genuinely scarce, and the 12 is among the most allocated releases on the market. As the foundation of any Japanese-whisky shelf and the natural partner to the 18 Year, it is a collectible cornerstone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003c\/details\u003e\n\n \u003cdetails\u003e\n \u003csummary\u003eRecommended Serving\u003c\/summary\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"details-content\"\u003e\n \u003cp style=\"margin:0;\"\u003ePour it neat in a tulip glass to read the fruit and the Mizunara spice, then add a few drops of water to open the aromatics further. The 12 is also the Yamazaki most at home in a Japanese highball — over ice, topped with chilled sparkling water and a twist — which keeps the peach and citrus bright for an aperitif. At 43% it takes a single cube of ice comfortably; just avoid drowning the gentle spice that the cask blend builds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003c\/details\u003e\n\n \u003cdetails\u003e\n \u003csummary\u003eProduction Methodology\u003c\/summary\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"details-content\"\u003e\n \u003cp style=\"margin:0;\"\u003eYamazaki is a single malt: made entirely from malted barley and pot-distilled at one distillery, founded by Shinjiro Torii in 1923 in Shimamoto, Osaka Prefecture, where a humid climate and the pure water at the meeting of three rivers suit maturation. The 12 Year is matured for twelve years across three cask types and married together: American ex-bourbon oak brings fruit, vanilla, and coconut; Spanish Oloroso sherry casks add dried and dark fruit; and a portion of Japanese Mizunara oak — a scarce, demanding wood that asks for trees two centuries old — lends sandalwood, incense, and Japanese spice. It is bottled at 43% ABV. The bottle meets the Japan Spirits and Liqueurs Makers Association standard for labeling Japanese whisky.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003c\/details\u003e\n \n \u003cdetails\u003e\n \u003csummary\u003eAuthentication \u0026amp; Vault Preservation\u003c\/summary\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"details-content\"\u003e\n \u003cp style=\"margin:0;\"\u003eMidnight Whiskey is an authorized retailer; every bottle is sold in its original packaging and inspected before it ships. Orders are double-boxed with protective padding and dispatched with temperature-aware handling. Delivery requires an adult signature: the recipient must be 21 or older and present valid government-issued photo ID. For how we verify and grade what we sell, see \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/authentication\" class=\"mw-accent\"\u003eour authentication standards\u003c\/a\u003e; for white-glove acquisition and storage, see \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/vault-concierge\" class=\"mw-accent\"\u003ethe Vault Concierge\u003c\/a\u003e; and for how we source and vet listings, see \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/editorial-standards\" class=\"mw-accent\"\u003eour editorial sourcing standards\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003c\/details\u003e\n \n \u003cdetails\u003e\n \u003csummary\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/summary\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"details-content\"\u003e\n \u003cp style=\"font-weight:bold; margin-top:0;\"\u003eHow is the Yamazaki 12 different from the 18?\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe 12 is the younger, lighter expression, matured twelve years in a balance of American oak, Spanish sherry, and Japanese Mizunara, with a fruit-forward profile of peach, citrus, coconut, and vanilla. The 18 is older and deeper, matured mainly in sherry oak for dried fruit and dark chocolate. The 12 is the original Yamazaki, launched in 1984.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003cp style=\"font-weight:bold; margin-top:18px;\"\u003eIs the Yamazaki 12 a good introduction to Japanese whisky?\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eYes. As the original Yamazaki single malt and the line's benchmark age statement, the 12 is approachable and fruit-forward while still showing the Mizunara oak character that defines the distillery. It is bottled at 43% ABV and is best enjoyed neat or with a little water.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003c\/details\u003e\n\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e\n{\n \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n \"@graph\": [\n {\n \"@type\": \"Product\",\n \"@id\": \"https:\/\/midnightwhiskey.com\/products\/yamazaki-12-year#product\",\n \"name\": \"The Yamazaki 12 Year Single Malt Whisky\",\n \"image\": \"https:\/\/midnightwhiskey.com\/[PLACEHOLDER_IMAGE_PATH]\/yamazaki-12-year.jpg\",\n \"description\": \"The Yamazaki 12 Year is the original single malt from Suntory's Yamazaki Distillery, the oldest malt whisky distillery in Japan, launched in 1984. A Japanese single malt bottled at 43% ABV (86 proof), it is matured for 12 years in a combination of American ex-bourbon oak, Spanish Oloroso sherry, and Japanese Mizunara oak. Pure gold, it shows peach, pineapple, grapefruit, candied orange, vanilla, coconut, and the clove and sandalwood of Mizunara, with a long, sweet, gently spiced finish.\",\n \"sku\": \"[PLACEHOLDER_SKU]\",\n \"mpn\": \"[PLACEHOLDER_MPN]\",\n \"brand\": { \"@type\": \"Brand\", \"name\": \"The Yamazaki\" },\n \"manufacturer\": { \"@type\": \"Organization\", \"name\": \"Suntory\" },\n \"category\": \"Japanese Single Malt Whisky\",\n \"offers\": {\n \"@type\": \"Offer\",\n \"@id\": \"https:\/\/midnightwhiskey.com\/products\/yamazaki-12-year#offer\",\n \"url\": \"https:\/\/midnightwhiskey.com\/products\/yamazaki-12-year\",\n \"priceCurrency\": \"USD\",\n \"price\": \"[PLACEHOLDER_PRICE]\",\n \"availability\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\/LimitedAvailability\",\n \"itemCondition\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\/NewCondition\",\n \"seller\": { \"@type\": \"Organization\", \"name\": \"Midnight Whiskey\" }\n }\n },\n {\n \"@type\": \"BreadcrumbList\",\n \"@id\": \"https:\/\/midnightwhiskey.com\/products\/yamazaki-12-year#breadcrumb\",\n \"itemListElement\": [\n { \"@type\": \"ListItem\", \"position\": 1, \"name\": \"Home\", \"item\": \"https:\/\/midnightwhiskey.com\" },\n { \"@type\": \"ListItem\", \"position\": 2, \"name\": \"Japanese Whisky\", \"item\": \"https:\/\/midnightwhiskey.com\/collections\/japanese-whisky\" },\n { \"@type\": \"ListItem\", \"position\": 3, \"name\": \"Yamazaki 12 Year\" }\n ]\n },\n {\n \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\n \"@id\": \"https:\/\/midnightwhiskey.com\/products\/yamazaki-12-year#faq\",\n \"mainEntity\": [\n {\n \"@type\": \"Question\",\n \"name\": \"How is the Yamazaki 12 different from the 18?\",\n \"acceptedAnswer\": { \"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"The 12 is the younger, lighter expression, matured twelve years in a balance of American oak, Spanish sherry, and Japanese Mizunara, with a fruit-forward profile of peach, citrus, coconut, and vanilla. The 18 is older and deeper, matured mainly in sherry oak for dried fruit and dark chocolate. The 12 is the original Yamazaki, launched in 1984.\" }\n },\n {\n \"@type\": \"Question\",\n \"name\": \"Is the Yamazaki 12 a good introduction to Japanese whisky?\",\n \"acceptedAnswer\": { \"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Yes. As the original Yamazaki single malt and the line's benchmark age statement, the 12 is approachable and fruit-forward while still showing the Mizunara oak character that defines the distillery. It is bottled at 43% ABV and is best enjoyed neat or with a little water.\" }\n }\n ]\n }\n ]\n}\n\u003c\/script\u003e","brand":"Suntory","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44766415650850,"sku":null,"price":199.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0812\/5566\/1602\/files\/the-yamazaki-12-year-old-single-malt-japanese-whisky.jpg?v=1779915552"},{"product_id":"yamazaki-18-year-japanese-whisky","title":"The Yamazaki 18 Year Old Single Malt Japanese Whisky — Long-Aged Suntory Flagship, Multi-Cask Sherry-Driven Composition","description":"\u003cstyle\u003e\n.mw-master-container{\n --mw-accent: #BFAE88; \/* metallic foil *\/\n --mw-glow: #A21C09; \/* power color *\/\n --mw-bg: #141310; \/* deep lowlight *\/\n --mw-text:#e0e0e0; --mw-muted:#a89e86; --mw-hair:#241f1a;\n font-family: inherit; background:var(--mw-bg); color:var(--mw-text);\n line-height:1.7; padding:24px; margin-bottom:60px;\n}\n.mw-master-container .mw-h3{ color:var(--mw-accent); font-weight:bold; text-transform:uppercase;\n font-size:0.9rem; letter-spacing:2px; margin-top:40px; display:block;\n border-bottom:1px solid var(--mw-glow); padding-bottom:8px; margin-bottom:20px; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-accent{ color:var(--mw-accent); font-weight:bold; text-decoration:none; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-accent:hover{ color:#fff; text-decoration:underline; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-info-box{ background:linear-gradient(90deg, var(--mw-bg) 0%, var(--mw-glow) 100%);\n padding:25px; margin:25px 0; border-radius:0 4px 4px 0; border:1px solid var(--mw-hair);\n border-left:4px solid var(--mw-accent); }\n.mw-master-container .mw-grid{ display:grid; grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr; gap:30px; margin:30px 0; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-card{ background:rgba(255,255,255,0.02); padding:25px;\n border:1px solid var(--mw-glow); border-radius:4px; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-table{ width:100%; border-collapse:collapse; margin-top:15px; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-table td{ padding:14px 0; border-bottom:1px solid var(--mw-hair);\n color:#ccc; font-size:0.95rem; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-table td:first-child{ font-weight:bold; width:38%; color:var(--mw-accent);\n text-transform:uppercase; font-size:0.75rem; letter-spacing:1px; }\n.mw-master-container details{ background:rgba(255,255,255,0.03); border:1px solid var(--mw-hair);\n border-radius:4px; margin-bottom:15px; }\n.mw-master-container summary{ padding:18px; color:var(--mw-accent); font-weight:bold; cursor:pointer;\n outline:none; list-style:none; display:flex; justify-content:space-between; align-items:center;\n text-transform:uppercase; letter-spacing:1px; font-size:0.85rem; }\n.mw-master-container summary::after{ content:'+'; font-size:1.2rem; }\n.mw-master-container details[open]{ border:1px solid var(--mw-accent); }\n.mw-master-container details[open] summary::after{ content:'-'; }\n.mw-master-container .details-content{ padding:0 20px 20px 20px; font-size:0.95rem; }\n@media (max-width:768px){ .mw-master-container .mw-grid{ grid-template-columns:1fr; } }\n\u003c\/style\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"mw-master-container\"\u003e\n\n \u003c!-- TL;DR (speakable, GEO) --\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"speakable\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Yamazaki 18 Year is the flagship age-statement single malt from Suntory's Yamazaki Distillery, the first and oldest malt whisky distillery in Japan. A Japanese single malt bottled at 43% ABV (86 proof), it is matured for eighteen years mainly in Spanish sherry oak, with Japanese Mizunara oak and American white oak. Each cask plays a part: the sherry brings dried fruit and dark chocolate, the Mizunara adds sandalwood and incense, and the American oak rounds the whole together. Deep reddish amber in the glass, it carries raisin, apricot, café au lait, and Mizunara on the nose; a palate of blackberry, strawberry jam, dates, dark chocolate, and honeyed caramel; and a long, warming finish of dried fruit, tannic oak, and peppery spice. It is deep and complex, and one of the most allocated Japanese whiskies released.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n \u003c!-- ELEMENTAL DISTINCTION --\u003e\n \u003cspan class=\"mw-h3\"\u003eThe Elemental Distinction\u003c\/span\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-info-box\"\u003e\n \u003cul style=\"margin:0; padding-left:20px; font-size:0.95rem;\"\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eThe flagship age-statement single malt from Yamazaki — Japan's first and oldest malt whisky distillery, founded in 1923.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eAged 18 years and bottled at 43% ABV (86 proof).\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eMatured mainly in Spanish sherry oak, with rare Japanese Mizunara oak and American white oak.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eDeep and complex — dried fruit, dark chocolate, and the sandalwood-and-incense signature of Mizunara.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eA Japanese single malt (100% malted barley); meets the JSLMA Japanese-whisky standard. 700 ml as labeled.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003c\/ul\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n \u003c!-- SENSORY + STRATEGIC GRID --\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-grid\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-card\"\u003e\n \u003cspan class=\"mw-accent\" style=\"font-size:0.75rem; text-transform:uppercase; letter-spacing:1px;\"\u003eSensory Profile\u003c\/span\u003e\n \u003cdiv style=\"margin-top:20px; font-size:0.9rem;\" class=\"speakable\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNose:\u003c\/strong\u003e Raisin and apricot, dark chocolate, and café au lait, with the sandalwood and incense of Mizunara oak.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003cp style=\"margin-top:10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePalate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Blackberry, strawberry jam, and dates, with dark chocolate, honeyed caramel, and gentle spice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003cp style=\"margin-top:10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e Long and warming, with dried fruit, tannic oak, and peppery spice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-card\"\u003e\n \u003cspan class=\"mw-accent\" style=\"font-size:0.75rem; text-transform:uppercase; letter-spacing:1px;\"\u003eStrategic Position\u003c\/span\u003e\n \u003cp style=\"font-size:0.90rem; margin-top:20px;\"\u003eThe flagship age-statement Yamazaki, a sherry-led single malt carried by its Mizunara oak. Browse \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/japanese-whisky\" class=\"mw-accent\"\u003eour Japanese whisky collection\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/whisky\" class=\"mw-accent\"\u003eour broader whisky range\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n \u003c!-- TECHNICAL SPECS --\u003e\n \u003cspan class=\"mw-h3\"\u003eTechnical Specifications\u003c\/span\u003e\n \u003ctable class=\"mw-table\"\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBrand \/ Producer\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eThe Yamazaki (Suntory) — the flagship age-statement single malt\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDistillery\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYamazaki Distillery, Shimamoto, Osaka Prefecture, Japan — founded 1923, the oldest in Japan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCategory\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eJapanese Single Malt Whisky (100% malted barley, pot-distilled)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCask Types\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMainly Spanish sherry oak (Oloroso), with Japanese Mizunara oak and American white oak\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eABV \/ Proof\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e43% ABV (86 proof)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAge Statement\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e18 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eColor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDeep reddish amber\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBottle Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e700 ml (70cl) as labeled — confirm 700 ml vs 750 ml for the US SKU\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eJapan (Osaka Prefecture)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eStandard\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMeets the JSLMA Japanese-whisky labeling standard\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n \u003c!-- COLLECTOR NOTE --\u003e\n \u003cspan class=\"mw-h3\"\u003eCollector Note\u003c\/span\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Yamazaki 18 is the cornerstone of Japan's most established single-malt house. Suntory's Yamazaki Distillery opened in 1923, on the outskirts of Kyoto where three rivers meet, as the first malt whisky distillery in the country; the 18 Year is its flagship age statement. What sets it apart is the maturation: mostly Spanish sherry oak for dried fruit and chocolate depth, a measure of scarce Japanese Mizunara oak for the sandalwood and incense that has become the distillery's signature, and American oak to tie it together. Japanese whisky of this age has become genuinely scarce, and the 18 Year is among the most allocated releases on the market, which has pushed it well beyond its shelf history at auction and retail alike. For a collection moving beyond bourbon, it is a foundational and collectible bottle — the benchmark aged single malt from Japan.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n \u003c!-- RECOMMENDED SERVING --\u003e\n \u003cspan class=\"mw-h3\"\u003eRecommended Serving\u003c\/span\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePour it neat in a tulip glass and give it a few minutes: the sherry fruit and the Mizunara incense open with air. A single drop of water can lift the spice without thinning the body, which sits comfortably at 43%. While the Japanese highball is the everyday way to serve younger Yamazaki, an 18-year-old of this scarcity rewards drinking neat or barely cut. Ice is best kept to one large cube if used at all, so the chocolate and dried-fruit notes are not lost.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n \u003c!-- ACCORDION DEEP-DIVES --\u003e\n \u003cdetails\u003e\n \u003csummary\u003eProduction Methodology\u003c\/summary\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"details-content\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eYamazaki is a single malt: it is made entirely from malted barley and pot-distilled at one distillery, founded by Shinjiro Torii in 1923 in Shimamoto, Osaka Prefecture, where a humid climate and the pure water at the meeting of three rivers were chosen to suit maturation. The 18 Year is matured for eighteen years mainly in Spanish sherry oak (Oloroso butts), with a portion of Japanese Mizunara oak — a scarce, demanding wood that lends sandalwood, incense, and Japanese spice — and American white oak. The three cask types are married to build the whisky's depth, and it is bottled at 43% ABV. The bottle meets the Japan Spirits and Liqueurs Makers Association standard for labeling Japanese whisky.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003c\/details\u003e\n \u003cdetails\u003e\n \u003csummary\u003eAuthentication \u0026amp; Vault Preservation\u003c\/summary\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"details-content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003c!-- SHARED TRUST COMPONENT: insert the canonical block; do not re-author per product. --\u003eMidnight Whiskey is an authorized retailer; every bottle is sold in its original packaging and inspected before it ships. Orders are double-boxed with protective padding and dispatched with temperature-aware handling. Delivery requires an adult signature: the recipient must be 21 or older and present valid government-issued photo ID. For how we verify and grade what we sell, see \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/authentication\" class=\"mw-accent\"\u003eour authentication standards\u003c\/a\u003e; for white-glove acquisition and storage, see \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/vault-concierge\" class=\"mw-accent\"\u003ethe Vault Concierge\u003c\/a\u003e; and for how we source and vet listings, see \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/editorial-standards\" class=\"mw-accent\"\u003eour editorial sourcing standards\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003c\/details\u003e\n \u003cdetails\u003e\n \u003csummary\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/summary\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"details-content\"\u003e\n \u003cp style=\"font-weight:bold;\"\u003eWhat casks is the Yamazaki 18 aged in?\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Yamazaki 18 is matured for eighteen years mainly in Spanish sherry oak, with Japanese Mizunara oak and American white oak. The sherry brings dried fruit and chocolate, the Mizunara adds sandalwood and incense, and the American oak rounds it out. It is bottled at 43% ABV.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003cp style=\"font-weight:bold; margin-top:18px;\"\u003eWhat is Mizunara oak?\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMizunara is a Japanese oak, scarce and difficult to work with, that gives Yamazaki its signature notes of sandalwood, incense, and Japanese spice. The Yamazaki 18 uses it alongside sherry and American oak. The distillery, founded in 1923, was the first in Japan.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003c\/details\u003e\n\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e\n{\n \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n \"@graph\": [\n {\n \"@type\": \"Product\",\n \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.midnightwhiskey.com\/products\/yamazaki-18-year#product\",\n \"name\": \"The Yamazaki 18 Year Single Malt Whisky\",\n \"image\": \"https:\/\/www.midnightwhiskey.com\/[PLACEHOLDER_IMAGE_PATH]\/yamazaki-18-year.jpg\",\n \"description\": \"The Yamazaki 18 Year is the flagship age-statement single malt from Suntory's Yamazaki Distillery, the oldest malt whisky distillery in Japan. A Japanese single malt bottled at 43% ABV (86 proof), it is matured for 18 years mainly in Spanish sherry oak, with Japanese Mizunara oak and American white oak. 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The sherry brings dried fruit and chocolate, the Mizunara adds sandalwood and incense, and the American oak rounds it out. It is bottled at 43% ABV.\" }\n },\n {\n \"@type\": \"Question\",\n \"name\": \"What is Mizunara oak?\",\n \"acceptedAnswer\": { \"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Mizunara is a Japanese oak, scarce and difficult to work with, that gives Yamazaki its signature notes of sandalwood, incense, and Japanese spice. The Yamazaki 18 uses it alongside sherry and American oak. The distillery, founded in 1923, was the first in Japan.\" }\n }\n ]\n }\n ]\n}\n\u003c\/script\u003e","brand":"Suntory","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44766415683618,"sku":null,"price":699.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0812\/5566\/1602\/files\/the-yamazaki-18-year-old-single-malt-japanese-whisky.jpg?v=1779915591"},{"product_id":"amazaki-smoky-batch-the-third","title":"The Yamazaki Smoky Batch The Third Single Malt Japanese Whisky","description":"\u003cstyle\u003e\n.mw-master-container{\n --mw-accent:#ca8a04; \/* Imperial Suntory Gold — primary accent *\/\n --mw-glow:#facc15; \/* Bright Gold Foil — power color \u0026 highlight *\/\n --mw-dark:#191817; \/* Sumi Charcoal Black — hero \u0026 dark bands *\/\n --mw-bg:#f4eee1; \/* Light Parchment background *\/\n --mw-panel:#ece3cf; \/* Light Panel backdrop *\/\n --mw-hair:#ddd2ba; \/* Light hairline border *\/\n --mw-card:#fbf7ec; \/* Light Card background *\/\n --mw-ink:#2b2118; 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}\n.mw-master-container .mw-dark-band .mw-bodycopy{ color:var(--mw-dbody); }\n\n\/* CASKS \/ ARCHIVE ARTWORK (Nº 03) *\/\n.mw-master-container .mw-casks{ display:flex; flex-wrap:wrap; gap:18px; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-cask{ flex:1 1 280px; background:var(--mw-card); border:1px solid var(--mw-hair);\n border-top:3px solid var(--mw-accent); padding:26px; border-radius:6px; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-cask-k{ font-size:0.68rem; letter-spacing:2px; color:var(--mw-muted); text-transform:uppercase; font-weight:bold; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-cask h3{ margin-top:10px; font-size:1.05rem; color:var(--mw-ink); font-weight:bold; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-cask p{ margin-top:14px; font-size:0.88rem; color:var(--mw-body); }\n\n\/* SENSORY \u0026 STRATEGIC POSITION IN DARK BAND (Nº 04) *\/\n.mw-master-container .mw-dark-band .mw-acts{ display:flex; flex-wrap:wrap; gap:24px; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-dark-band .mw-act{\n flex:1 1 320px; padding:28px; background:rgba(255,255,255,0.04);\n border:1px solid var(--mw-dhair); border-top:4px solid var(--mw-glow); border-radius:6px;\n}\n.mw-master-container .mw-dark-band .mw-act-n{ font-size:1.8rem; font-weight:bold; line-height:1; color:var(--mw-glow); }\n.mw-master-container .mw-dark-band .mw-act h3{ font-size:0.85rem; letter-spacing:3px; text-transform:uppercase; color:var(--mw-dtext); font-weight:bold; margin-top:6px; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-dark-band .mw-act p{ margin-top:16px; font-size:0.92rem; color:var(--mw-dbody); }\n\n\/* PROVENANCE (Nº 05 - LIGHT) *\/\n.mw-master-container .mw-prov{ display:grid; grid-template-columns:repeat(auto-fit,minmax(320px,1fr)); gap:44px; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-feat{ border-bottom:1px solid var(--mw-hair); padding:24px 0; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-feat:first-child{ padding-top:0; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-feat:last-of-type{ border-bottom:none; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-feat-head{ display:flex; gap:18px; align-items:baseline; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-feat-ico{ color:var(--mw-accent); font-weight:bold; font-size:1.2rem; line-height:1; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-feat h3{ font-size:1rem; color:var(--mw-ink); font-weight:bold; text-transform:uppercase; letter-spacing:2px; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-feat p{ margin:12px 0 0 40px; font-size:0.92rem; color:var(--mw-body); }\n.mw-master-container .mw-index{ border:1px solid var(--mw-accent); background:var(--mw-card); padding:30px; border-radius:6px; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-index-head{ display:flex; justify-content:space-between; align-items:baseline; gap:12px; border-bottom:1px solid var(--mw-hair); padding-bottom:14px; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-il{ font-size:0.7rem; letter-spacing:3px; color:var(--mw-accent); text-transform:uppercase; font-weight:bold; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-ir{ font-size:0.7rem; letter-spacing:2px; color:var(--mw-muted); text-transform:uppercase; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-index-grid{ display:grid; grid-template-columns:auto 1fr; gap:12px 20px; padding-top:18px; font-size:0.88rem; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-index-grid dt{ color:var(--mw-accent); font-size:0.7rem; letter-spacing:1.5px; text-transform:uppercase; font-weight:bold; padding-top:2px; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-index-grid dd{ color:var(--mw-ink); font-weight:500; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-hublink{ margin-top:20px; font-size:0.92rem; color:var(--mw-muted); }\n\n\/* HIGH-CONTRAST TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS IN DARK BAND (Nº 06) *\/\n.mw-master-container .mw-dark-band .mw-table-box{ background:#121110; padding:28px 32px; border-radius:6px; border:1px solid #343230; box-shadow:0 4px 20px rgba(0,0,0,0.35); }\n.mw-master-container .mw-dark-band .mw-table{ width:100%; border-collapse:collapse; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-dark-band .mw-table td{ padding:16px 0; border-bottom:1px solid #343230; color:#ffffff; font-size:0.98rem; font-weight:500; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-dark-band .mw-table td:first-child{ font-weight:bold; width:38%; color:#facc15; text-transform:uppercase; font-size:0.8rem; letter-spacing:1.5px; }\n\n\/* ACCORDIONS (Nº 07 - LIGHT) *\/\n.mw-master-container details{ background:var(--mw-card); border:1px solid var(--mw-hair); margin-bottom:15px; border-radius:6px; }\n.mw-master-container summary{ padding:18px 20px; color:var(--mw-accent); font-weight:bold; cursor:pointer; outline:none; list-style:none; display:flex; justify-content:space-between; align-items:center; text-transform:uppercase; letter-spacing:2px; font-size:0.8rem; }\n.mw-master-container summary:hover{ color:var(--mw-ink); }\n.mw-master-container summary::-webkit-details-marker{ display:none; }\n.mw-master-container summary::after{ content:'+'; font-size:1.15rem; color:var(--mw-accent); font-weight:normal; }\n.mw-master-container details[open]{ border-color:var(--mw-accent); }\n.mw-master-container details[open] summary::after{ content:'\\2212'; }\n.mw-master-container .details-content{ padding:0 20px 20px 20px; font-size:0.95rem; color:var(--mw-body); }\n.mw-master-container .mw-q{ font-size:0.95rem; font-weight:bold; color:var(--mw-ink); margin-top:16px; }\n.mw-master-container .details-content .mw-q:first-child{ margin-top:0; }\n\n.mw-master-container .mw-signoff{ margin-top:80px; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-signoff .mw-rule{ margin-top:0; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-signoff-row{ display:flex; justify-content:space-between; align-items:baseline; gap:16px; flex-wrap:wrap; padding-top:20px; }\n\n@media (max-width:768px){\n .mw-master-container .mw-wrap{ padding:0 24px; }\n .mw-master-container .mw-points{ grid-template-columns:1fr; }\n .mw-master-container .mw-img-grid{ grid-template-columns:1fr; }\n .mw-master-container .mw-dark-band .mw-table-box{ padding:20px; }\n}\n\u003c\/style\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"mw-master-container\"\u003e\n\n \u003c!-- HERO SECTION (DARK) --\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-hero\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-wrap\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-topbar\"\u003e\n \u003cspan class=\"mw-tag mw-tag-a\"\u003eMidnight Whiskey · The Vault\u003c\/span\u003e\n \u003cspan class=\"mw-tag mw-tag-m\"\u003eSingle Malt Japanese Whisky · Duty-Free Exclusive\u003c\/span\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-masthead\"\u003e\n \u003cp class=\"mw-kicker\"\u003eYamazaki Distillery\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003ch2 class=\"mw-title\"\u003eSmoky Batch\u003c\/h2\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-city-title\"\u003eThe Third\u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003cp class=\"mw-subline\"\u003eSumi-Black Echizen Washi Livery · 43% ABV (86 Proof) · Duty-Free Exclusive\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-rule\" style=\"margin-top:56px;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-stats\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-stat\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-stat-n\"\u003e43.0\u003csmall\u003e%\u003c\/small\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-stat-l\"\u003eABV\u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-stat\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-stat-n\"\u003e86\u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-stat-l\"\u003eProof\u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-stat\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-stat-n\"\u003eNAS\u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-stat-l\"\u003eAge Statement\u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-stat\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-stat-n\"\u003e700\u003csmall\u003e mL\u003c\/small\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-stat-l\"\u003eFormat\u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-stat\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-stat-n\"\u003ePeated Malt\u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-stat-l\"\u003eBlend Premise\u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-stat\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-stat-n\"\u003eShimamoto, Osaka\u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-stat-l\"\u003eDistillery Origin\u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"speakable\"\u003e\n \u003cp class=\"mw-lede\"\u003eSmoky Batch is the series in which Yamazaki inverts its own recipe. The smoky malt that normally contributes \u003cstrong\u003eonly a trace\u003c\/strong\u003e to the distillery’s single malt — a small proportion that lends depth and complexity — is here the \u003cstrong\u003eentire blend\u003c\/strong\u003e, composed solely of smoky malt distilled at Yamazaki. \u003cstrong\u003eThe Third\u003c\/strong\u003e continues that run at \u003cstrong\u003e43% ABV (86 proof)\u003c\/strong\u003e in a 700 mL bottle, sold through \u003cstrong\u003eduty-free rather than domestic retail\u003c\/strong\u003e, in the series’ sumi-black livery. Its own release date, price and tasting notes have not been published, and this page does not supply them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n \u003c!-- Nº 01: THE ELEMENTAL DISTINCTION (LIGHT) --\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-wrap mw-section\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-chap\"\u003e\n \u003cspan class=\"mw-chap-no\"\u003eNº 01\u003c\/span\u003e\n \u003ch2 class=\"mw-h3\"\u003eThe Elemental Distinction\u003c\/h2\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-points\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-point\"\u003e\n \u003cb\u003e01\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe distillery’s own recipe, inverted.\u003c\/strong\u003e Suntory describes the smoky component as a malt used in very small quantities to give Yamazaki depth and complexity; the Smoky Batch series is built from that component alone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-point\"\u003e\n \u003cb\u003e02\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAll of it distilled at Yamazaki\u003c\/strong\u003e — the series blends only smoky malt made at the distillery itself, rather than sourcing peated whisky in.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-point\"\u003e\n \u003cb\u003e03\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe producer’s stated aim is a \u003cstrong\u003egentle, distinctly Japanese smokiness\u003c\/strong\u003e rather than an Islay-style assault.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-point\"\u003e\n \u003cb\u003e04\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDuty-free exclusive.\u003c\/strong\u003e The series is sold through airport duty-free in restricted quantity rather than on the Japanese domestic market — a verified channel fact for this series, not a rumour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-point\"\u003e\n \u003cb\u003e05\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e43% ABV, 700 mL\u003c\/strong\u003e, produced by Suntory at the Yamazaki Distillery in Shimamoto, Osaka, and supplied in a dedicated box.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-point\"\u003e\n \u003cb\u003e06\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe livery is the series’ signature: Yamazaki’s brush calligraphy on an \u003cstrong\u003eEchizen washi\u003c\/strong\u003e label dyed in \u003cem\u003esumi\u003c\/em\u003e black, the brand’s own colour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n \u003c!-- Nº 02: DISTILLERY \u0026 SERIES HERITAGE (DARK BAND) --\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-dark-band\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-wrap\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-chap\"\u003e\n \u003cspan class=\"mw-chap-no\"\u003eNº 02\u003c\/span\u003e\n \u003ch2 class=\"mw-h3\"\u003eDistillery \u0026amp; Series Heritage\u003c\/h2\u003e\n \u003cspan class=\"mw-chap-r\"\u003e1923 Shimamoto Foundation\u003c\/span\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003cp class=\"mw-bodycopy\"\u003eYamazaki is Japan’s oldest malt whisky distillery, founded in 1923 by Shinjiro Torii at the confluence of three rivers in Shimamoto, Osaka. While standard Yamazaki single malts rely on a complex harmony of Mizunara, American oak, and Sherry casks with just a touch of peated malt, the Smoky Batch series spotlights that solitary peated malt component at full volume across consecutive, numbered airport releases.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n \u003c!-- Nº 03: CRAFTSMANSHIP \u0026 PRESENTATION (LIGHT) --\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-wrap mw-section\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-chap\"\u003e\n \u003cspan class=\"mw-chap-no\"\u003eNº 03\u003c\/span\u003e\n \u003ch2 class=\"mw-h3\"\u003eCraftsmanship \u0026amp; Presentation\u003c\/h2\u003e\n \u003cspan class=\"mw-chap-r\"\u003eEchizen Washi Sumi Livery\u003c\/span\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-casks\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-cask\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-cask-k\"\u003ePeated Component Focus\u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003ch3\u003e100% In-House Peated Malt\u003c\/h3\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDistilled at Yamazaki using peated malted barley, capturing a delicate Japanese peat smoke profile integrated with subtle fruity ester complexity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-cask\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-cask-k\"\u003eLabel Artistry\u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003ch3\u003eEchizen Washi Paper\u003c\/h3\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAdorned with traditional tactile Echizen washi paper dyed in deep sumi black ink, finished with golden brush calligraphy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-cask\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-cask-k\"\u003eChannel Distribution\u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003ch3\u003eTravel Retail Exclusive\u003c\/h3\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eReleased strictly through international airport duty-free shops in limited allocations, never offered for domestic Japanese retail sale.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-cask\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-cask-k\"\u003eRelease Packaging\u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003ch3\u003eEnclosed Collector Card\u003c\/h3\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eHoused in a sturdy charcoal presentation carton complete with an official Suntory narrative card explaining the peated malt premise.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n \u003c!-- Nº 04: SENSORY PROFILE \u0026 STRATEGY (DARK BAND) --\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-dark-band\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-wrap\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-chap\"\u003e\n \u003cspan class=\"mw-chap-no\"\u003eNº 04\u003c\/span\u003e\n \u003ch2 class=\"mw-h3\"\u003eSensory Profile \u0026amp; Strategy\u003c\/h2\u003e\n \u003cspan class=\"mw-chap-r\"\u003ePeated Japanese Register\u003c\/span\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-acts speakable\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-act\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-act-n\"\u003eI\u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003ch3\u003eSensory Profile\u003c\/h3\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSuntory has published no tasting note for The Third, and none is invented here. What the series commits to is structural rather than descriptive: a whisky made only from the smoky malt Yamazaki normally uses in fractions, aimed at a soft, Japanese register of smoke rather than a medicinal one. The notes published for \u003cem\u003eThe First\u003c\/em\u003e belong to that release and are not carried across — each batch in this series is its own whisky.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-act\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-act-n\"\u003eII\u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003ch3\u003eStrategic Position\u003c\/h3\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDuty-free series live in a blind spot: released without announcement, documented late and mostly in Japanese. It sits with \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/midnightwhiskey.com\/products\/hakushu-japanese-forest-bittersweet-edition\" class=\"mw-accent\"\u003ethe Spanish-oak Hakushu duty-free bottling\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/midnightwhiskey.com\/products\/hibiki-21-year-100th-anniversary\" class=\"mw-accent\"\u003ethe centennial Hibiki of 2023\u003c\/a\u003e, within \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/midnightwhiskey.com\/collections\/japanese-whisky\" class=\"mw-accent\"\u003ethe Japanese single malt shelf at Midnight Whiskey\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n \u003c!-- FEATURED MULTI-IMAGE GALLERY GRID --\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-wrap\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-img-grid\"\u003e\n \u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/www.suntory.com\/factory\/yamazaki\/assets\/img\/top\/concept_slide_1.jpg\" alt=\"Yamazaki Distillery Still House\" loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\n \u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/www.japan-guide.com\/g18\/3974_top.jpg\" alt=\"Yamazaki Distillery Entrance and Exterior\" loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n \u003c!-- Nº 05: PRESENTATION \u0026 PROVENANCE (LIGHT) --\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-wrap mw-section\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-chap\"\u003e\n \u003cspan class=\"mw-chap-no\"\u003eNº 05\u003c\/span\u003e\n \u003ch2 class=\"mw-h3\"\u003eCollector Note \u0026amp; Index\u003c\/h2\u003e\n \u003cspan class=\"mw-chap-r\"\u003eVault Provenance\u003c\/span\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-prov\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-feat\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-feat-head\"\u003e\n \u003cspan class=\"mw-feat-ico\"\u003e→\u003c\/span\u003e\u003ch3\u003eSequential Series Value\u003c\/h3\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Smoky Batch releases are numbered rather than dated, which makes the ordinal the whole of a bottle’s identity — The First, The Second, The Third and subsequent releases are separate objects, and a sequential run assembled in order carries high collector demand.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-feat\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-feat-head\"\u003e\n \u003cspan class=\"mw-feat-ico\"\u003e→\u003c\/span\u003e\u003ch3\u003eVerified Data Integrity\u003c\/h3\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThis page states no release date, no price and no edition size for The Third, because none has been published by Suntory — the ordinal number, strength (43%), and duty-free channel are what can be verified, and they are.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003cp class=\"mw-bodycopy\"\u003eEvaluated strictly on verified Japanese domestic records and physical packaging inspects.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-index\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-index-head\"\u003e\n \u003cspan class=\"mw-il\"\u003eCollector Index\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"mw-ir\"\u003eYAMAZAKI SMB3\u003c\/span\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003cdl class=\"mw-index-grid\"\u003e\n \u003cdt\u003eBrand\u003c\/dt\u003e\n \u003cdd\u003eThe Yamazaki (Suntory)\u003c\/dd\u003e\n \u003cdt\u003eClass\u003c\/dt\u003e\n \u003cdd\u003eSingle Malt Japanese Whisky\u003c\/dd\u003e\n \u003cdt\u003eSeries\u003c\/dt\u003e\n \u003cdd\u003eSmoky Batch (The Third)\u003c\/dd\u003e\n \u003cdt\u003eProof \/ ABV\u003c\/dt\u003e\n \u003cdd\u003e86 Proof (43.0% ABV)\u003c\/dd\u003e\n \u003cdt\u003eFormat\u003c\/dt\u003e\n \u003cdd\u003e700 mL\u003c\/dd\u003e\n \u003cdt\u003eChannel\u003c\/dt\u003e\n \u003cdd\u003eAirport Duty-Free Exclusive\u003c\/dd\u003e\n \u003c\/dl\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003cp class=\"mw-hublink\"\u003eExplore \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/midnightwhiskey.com\/collections\/japanese-whisky\" class=\"mw-accent\"\u003ethe complete Japanese whisky collection in Midnight Whiskey's vault\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n \u003c!-- Nº 06: TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS (DARK BAND) --\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-dark-band\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-wrap\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-chap\"\u003e\n \u003cspan class=\"mw-chap-no\"\u003eNº 06\u003c\/span\u003e\n \u003ch2 class=\"mw-h3\"\u003eTechnical Specifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-table-box\"\u003e\n \u003ctable class=\"mw-table\"\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003eCLASS\u003c\/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003eSingle Malt Japanese Whisky\u003c\/td\u003e\n \u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003eSERIES\u003c\/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003eYamazaki Smoky Batch — The Third\u003c\/td\u003e\n \u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003eCOMPOSITION\u003c\/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003eBlended solely from smoky malt distilled at the Yamazaki Distillery\u003c\/td\u003e\n \u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003eSERIES PREMISE\u003c\/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003eThe smoky component Suntory uses in very small quantities within Yamazaki, here used as the entire whisky\u003c\/td\u003e\n \u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003eABV \/ PROOF\u003c\/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e43.0% ABV \/ 86 Proof\u003c\/td\u003e\n \u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003eVOLUME\u003c\/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e700 mL\u003c\/td\u003e\n \u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003eCHANNEL\u003c\/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003eDuty-free exclusive, limited quantity — not released on domestic Japanese market\u003c\/td\u003e\n \u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003ePACKAGING\u003c\/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003ePresentation box and card; Echizen washi label dyed sumi black, carrying Yamazaki brush calligraphy\u003c\/td\u003e\n \u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003eDISTILLERY\u003c\/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003eYamazaki Distillery, Shimamoto, Osaka, Japan (Founded 1923)\u003c\/td\u003e\n \u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003eRELEASE DATE\u003c\/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003eUnpublished by producer\u003c\/td\u003e\n \u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003ePRICE AT RELEASE\u003c\/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003eUnpublished by producer\u003c\/td\u003e\n \u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003eTASTING NOTES\u003c\/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003eUnpublished for The Third; earlier batch notes belong to those specific releases\u003c\/td\u003e\n \u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003eAGE STATEMENT\u003c\/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003eNone (NAS)\u003c\/td\u003e\n \u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003ePRODUCER\u003c\/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003eSuntory, Japan\u003c\/td\u003e\n \u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003cp style=\"font-size:0.78rem; color:var(--mw-dmuted); margin-top:10px;\"\u003e† Format and packaging verified directly from physical inspects and Japanese retail records.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n \u003c!-- Nº 07: RECORDS \u0026 ASSURANCE (LIGHT) --\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-wrap mw-section\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-chap\"\u003e\n \u003cspan class=\"mw-chap-no\"\u003eNº 07\u003c\/span\u003e\n \u003ch2 class=\"mw-h3\"\u003eRecords \u0026amp; Assurance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003cdetails\u003e\n \u003csummary\u003eProduction Methodology\u003c\/summary\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"details-content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eYamazaki was founded in 1923 by Shinjiro Torii as Japan’s first malt whisky distillery, and its single malt is built from a range of component whiskies of which a smoky malt is one — used, in Suntory’s own account, in very small quantities to lend depth and complexity to the whole. The Smoky Batch series takes that component and makes it the entire whisky, blending only smoky malt distilled at Yamazaki, and aims at a soft Japanese smokiness rather than a medicinal one. The Third continues that series at 43% ABV in 700 mL, produced by Suntory at the Yamazaki Distillery in Shimamoto, Osaka, and supplied with a presentation box and a card. The series is sold through duty-free in restricted quantity rather than on the domestic Japanese market, and its packaging carries Yamazaki’s brush calligraphy on an Echizen washi label dyed in sumi black. What Suntory has not published for this release is a launch date, a price or a tasting note, and this page states none of the three.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003c\/details\u003e\n \u003cdetails\u003e\n \u003csummary\u003eAuthentication \u0026amp; Vault Preservation\u003c\/summary\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"details-content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eEvery bottle sold through \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/midnightwhiskey.com\/pages\/authentication-standards\" class=\"mw-accent\"\u003eMidnight Whiskey\u003c\/a\u003e is sourced as an authentic, sealed product and inspected before it ships. Orders are packed with padded, glass-rated handling and require an adult signature (21+) on delivery; we do not ship to anyone unable to verify legal drinking age. For our full sourcing and handling protocols, see \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/midnightwhiskey.com\/pages\/authentication-standards\" class=\"mw-accent\"\u003eour editorial and authentication standards\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003c\/details\u003e\n \u003cdetails\u003e\n \u003csummary\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/summary\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"details-content\"\u003e\n \u003ch3 class=\"mw-q\"\u003eWhat makes the Smoky Batch different from standard Yamazaki?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe proportions are inverted. Suntory describes the smoky malt as a component used in very small quantities within the Yamazaki single malt, where it lends depth and complexity. In the Smoky Batch series that component is the whole whisky — blended only from smoky malt distilled at Yamazaki itself, and aimed at a gentle, distinctly Japanese smokiness rather than a medicinal one.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003ch3 class=\"mw-q\"\u003eWhere is Yamazaki Smoky Batch sold?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThrough duty-free rather than domestic retail. The series is a duty-free exclusive released in restricted quantity through airport shops, which is why it tends to surface in English-language coverage months after it appears — the earlier releases were noticed first by travellers rather than announced.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003ch3 class=\"mw-q\"\u003eWhat are the tasting notes for The Third?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSuntory has not published any for this release, so none appear here. Notes exist for earlier releases in the series, but each Smoky Batch is its own whisky and a sibling's profile would not describe this one. The release date and price are likewise unpublished and are not stated on this page.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003c\/details\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-wrap mw-signoff\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-rule\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-signoff-row\"\u003e\n \u003cspan class=\"mw-tag mw-tag-a\"\u003eMidnight Whiskey · The Vault\u003c\/span\u003e\n \u003cspan class=\"mw-tag mw-tag-m\"\u003eThe Yamazaki · Smoky Batch The Third\u003c\/span\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003c!-- COMPONENT 4 — AI-COMPATIBILITY LAYER (JSON-LD) --\u003e\n\u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e\n{\n \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n \"@graph\": [\n {\n \"@type\": \"Product\",\n \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.midnightwhiskey.com\/products\/yamazaki-smoky-batch-the-third#product\",\n \"name\": \"The Yamazaki Smoky Batch The Third Single Malt Japanese Whisky\",\n \"url\": \"https:\/\/www.midnightwhiskey.com\/products\/yamazaki-smoky-batch-the-third\",\n \"mainEntityOfPage\": \"https:\/\/www.midnightwhiskey.com\/products\/yamazaki-smoky-batch-the-third\",\n \"image\": \"https:\/\/www.midnightwhiskey.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/yamazaki-smoky-batch-the-third.jpg\",\n \"description\": \"Smoky Batch is the series in which Yamazaki inverts its own recipe. The smoky malt that normally contributes only a trace to the distillery's single malt — a small proportion that lends depth and complexity — is here the entire blend, composed solely of smoky malt distilled at Yamazaki. The Third continues that run at 43% ABV in 700 mL, sold through duty-free rather than domestic retail, in the series' sumi-black livery. Its own release date, price and tasting notes have not been published, and this page does not supply them.\",\n \"sku\": \"SUN-YAM-SMB3-700\",\n \"mpn\": \"SUN-YAM-SMB3-700\",\n \"gtin13\": \"0810205351148\",\n \"brand\": {\n \"@type\": \"Brand\",\n \"name\": \"The Yamazaki\"\n },\n \"manufacturer\": {\n \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n \"name\": \"Suntory\"\n },\n \"category\": \"Single Malt Japanese Whisky\",\n \"additionalProperty\": [\n {\n \"@type\": \"PropertyValue\",\n \"name\": \"ABV\",\n \"value\": \"43%\"\n },\n {\n \"@type\": \"PropertyValue\",\n \"name\": \"Proof\",\n \"value\": \"86\"\n },\n {\n \"@type\": \"PropertyValue\",\n \"name\": \"Age statement\",\n \"value\": \"None\"\n },\n {\n \"@type\": \"PropertyValue\",\n \"name\": \"Series\",\n \"value\": \"Yamazaki Smoky Batch\"\n },\n {\n \"@type\": \"PropertyValue\",\n \"name\": \"Volume\",\n \"value\": \"700 mL\"\n },\n {\n \"@type\": \"PropertyValue\",\n \"name\": \"Distillery\",\n \"value\": \"Yamazaki Distillery, Shimamoto, Osaka\"\n }\n ],\n \"isRelatedTo\": [\n {\n \"@type\": \"Product\",\n \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.midnightwhiskey.com\/products\/hakushu-japanese-forest-bittersweet-edition#product\",\n \"name\": \"Hakushu Japanese Forest Bittersweet Edition\",\n \"url\": \"https:\/\/www.midnightwhiskey.com\/products\/hakushu-japanese-forest-bittersweet-edition\"\n },\n {\n \"@type\": \"Product\",\n \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.midnightwhiskey.com\/products\/hibiki-21-year-100th-anniversary#product\",\n \"name\": \"Hibiki 21 Year 100th Anniversary\",\n \"url\": \"https:\/\/www.midnightwhiskey.com\/products\/hibiki-21-year-100th-anniversary\"\n }\n ],\n \"offers\": {\n \"@type\": \"Offer\",\n \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.midnightwhiskey.com\/products\/yamazaki-smoky-batch-the-third#offer\",\n \"url\": \"https:\/\/www.midnightwhiskey.com\/products\/yamazaki-smoky-batch-the-third\",\n \"priceCurrency\": \"USD\",\n \"price\": \"799.95\",\n \"availability\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\/InStock\",\n \"itemCondition\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\/NewCondition\",\n \"seller\": {\n \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.midnightwhiskey.com\/#org\",\n \"name\": \"Midnight Whiskey\"\n }\n }\n },\n {\n \"@type\": \"BreadcrumbList\",\n \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.midnightwhiskey.com\/products\/yamazaki-smoky-batch-the-third#breadcrumb\",\n \"itemListElement\": [\n {\n \"@type\": \"ListItem\",\n \"position\": 1,\n \"name\": \"Home\",\n \"item\": \"https:\/\/www.midnightwhiskey.com\"\n },\n {\n \"@type\": \"ListItem\",\n \"position\": 2,\n \"name\": \"Whiskey\",\n \"item\": \"https:\/\/www.midnightwhiskey.com\/collections\/japanese-whisky\"\n },\n {\n \"@type\": \"ListItem\",\n \"position\": 3,\n \"name\": \"Yamazaki Smoky Batch The Third\"\n }\n ]\n },\n {\n \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\n \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.midnightwhiskey.com\/products\/yamazaki-smoky-batch-the-third#faq\",\n \"about\": {\n \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.midnightwhiskey.com\/products\/yamazaki-smoky-batch-the-third#product\"\n },\n \"mainEntity\": [\n {\n \"@type\": \"Question\",\n \"name\": \"What makes the Smoky Batch different from standard Yamazaki?\",\n \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n \"text\": \"The proportions are inverted. 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The release date and price are likewise unpublished and are not stated on this page.\"\n }\n }\n ]\n }\n ]\n}\n\u003c\/script\u003e","brand":"Suntory","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46286152433698,"sku":"4901777429055-3","price":449.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0812\/5566\/1602\/files\/YamaSmokeyF1.jpg?v=1786058486"},{"product_id":"yamazaki-smoky-hakushu-bittersweet-set","title":"Yamazaki Smoky Batch The Third + Hakushu Japanese Forest Bittersweet Edition, Two-Bottle Set URL Handle \/ Slu","description":"\u003cstyle\u003e\n.mw-master-container{\n --mw-accent:#ca8a04; \/* Imperial Suntory Gold — primary accent *\/\n --mw-glow:#facc15; \/* Bright Gold Foil — power color \u0026 highlights *\/\n --mw-dark:#191c1a; \/* Deep Charcoal Forest Hybrid — hero \u0026 dark bands *\/\n --mw-bg:#f4eee1; \/* Light Parchment background *\/\n --mw-panel:#ece3cf; \/* Light Panel backdrop *\/\n --mw-hair:#ddd2ba; \/* Light hairline border *\/\n --mw-card:#fbf7ec; \/* Light Card background *\/\n --mw-ink:#2b2118; \/* Deep Ink text *\/\n --mw-body:#4a4033; \/* Body text *\/\n --mw-muted:#857a68; \/* Muted text *\/\n --mw-dhair:#343b37; \/* Dark band hairline *\/\n --mw-dtext:#f5f3f0; \/* Dark band header text *\/\n --mw-dbody:#dcd8d3; \/* Dark band body text *\/\n --mw-dmuted:#a19b98; \/* Dark band muted text *\/\n \n \/* Individual Bottle Tube Accents *\/\n --mw-yam-dark:#262221; \/* Yamazaki Smoky Batch Charcoal Tube *\/\n --mw-yam-gold:#c9a050; \/* Yamazaki Gold Kanji \u0026 Foil *\/\n --mw-hak-green:#1b3323; \/* Hakushu Forest Green Tube *\/\n --mw-hak-copper:#b85d1d;\/* Hakushu Spanish Oak Copper *\/\n\n width:100vw; margin-left:calc(50% - 50vw); margin-right:calc(50% - 50vw);\n box-sizing:border-box; font-family:inherit; background:var(--mw-bg); color:var(--mw-ink);\n line-height:1.7; padding:0 0 80px 0; margin-bottom:60px;\n}\n.mw-master-container *{ box-sizing:border-box; }\n.mw-master-container h2,.mw-master-container h3,.mw-master-container p,.mw-master-container dl,\n.mw-master-container dt,.mw-master-container dd{ margin:0; padding:0; font-family:inherit; line-height:inherit; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-wrap{ max-width:1560px; margin:0 auto; padding:0 48px; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-accent{ color:var(--mw-accent); font-weight:bold; text-decoration:none; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-accent:hover{ color:var(--mw-ink); text-decoration:underline; }\n\n\/* FIGURES \u0026 IMAGES *\/\n.mw-master-container .mw-fig{ margin:0 !important; padding:0; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-img{ display:block; width:100%; height:auto; border:none; border-radius:6px; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-fig-line{ border:1px solid var(--mw-dhair); }\n\n\/* FEATURED MULTI-IMAGE GALLERY GRID (UNIFORM SIZING) *\/\n.mw-master-container .mw-img-grid{\n display:grid; grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr; gap:24px; max-width:100%; margin:44px auto; align-items:center;\n}\n.mw-master-container .mw-img-grid img{\n width:100%; aspect-ratio: 16 \/ 10; object-fit: cover; display:block;\n border-radius:6px; border:1px solid var(--mw-dhair);\n box-shadow:0 8px 30px rgba(0,0,0,0.25);\n}\n\n\/* HERO SECTION (DARK BOTTLE TUBE COLOR) *\/\n.mw-master-container .mw-hero{ background:var(--mw-dark); color:var(--mw-dtext); padding-bottom:56px; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-topbar{ display:flex; justify-content:space-between; align-items:baseline;\n gap:16px; flex-wrap:wrap; border-bottom:1px solid var(--mw-dhair); padding:56px 0 16px 0; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-tag{ font-size:0.72rem; letter-spacing:4px; text-transform:uppercase; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-tag-a{ color:var(--mw-glow); font-weight:bold; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-tag-m{ color:var(--mw-dmuted); }\n.mw-master-container .mw-signoff .mw-tag-a{ color:var(--mw-accent); }\n.mw-master-container .mw-signoff .mw-tag-m{ color:var(--mw-muted); }\n.mw-master-container .mw-masthead{ padding:72px 0 0 0; text-align:center; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-kicker{ color:var(--mw-glow); letter-spacing:6px; font-size:0.85rem;\n text-transform:uppercase; font-weight:bold; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-title{ margin-top:18px; font-weight:bold; text-transform:uppercase;\n line-height:0.98; letter-spacing:0.02em; font-size:clamp(2rem,4.4vw,3.4rem); color:var(--mw-dtext); }\n.mw-master-container .mw-city-title{ margin-top:4px; font-weight:bold; text-transform:uppercase; line-height:0.9;\n font-size:clamp(2.4rem,6vw,5rem); letter-spacing:0.04em;\n background:linear-gradient(92deg, #facc15 0%, #ca8a04 50%, #b85d1d 100%);\n -webkit-background-clip:text; background-clip:text; color:transparent; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-subline{ margin-top:26px; color:var(--mw-dmuted); letter-spacing:3px;\n font-size:0.8rem; text-transform:uppercase; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-rule{ height:3px; margin-top:56px;\n background:linear-gradient(90deg, transparent, var(--mw-accent) 30%, var(--mw-glow) 70%, transparent); }\n.mw-master-container .mw-stats{ display:flex; flex-wrap:wrap;\n gap:1px; background:var(--mw-dhair); border:1px solid var(--mw-dhair); border-top:none; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-stat{ flex:1 1 150px; background:var(--mw-dark); padding:22px 12px; text-align:center; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-stat-n{ font-size:1.5rem; font-weight:bold; color:var(--mw-dtext); }\n.mw-master-container .mw-stat-n small{ font-size:0.9rem; color:var(--mw-dmuted); font-weight:bold; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-stat-l{ font-size:0.68rem; letter-spacing:2px; color:var(--mw-glow);\n text-transform:uppercase; margin-top:4px; font-weight:bold; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-lede{ max-width:880px; margin:44px auto 0 auto; text-align:center;\n font-size:1.08rem; color:var(--mw-dbody); }\n\n\/* SECTIONS \u0026 CHAPTER HEADINGS *\/\n.mw-master-container .mw-section{ margin-top:90px; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-band{ margin-top:90px; background:var(--mw-panel);\n border-top:1px solid var(--mw-hair); border-bottom:1px solid var(--mw-hair); padding:64px 0; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-chap{ display:flex; align-items:baseline; gap:18px;\n border-bottom:1px solid var(--mw-hair); padding-bottom:14px; margin-bottom:36px; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-chap-no{ color:var(--mw-accent); font-size:0.72rem; letter-spacing:3px; font-weight:bold; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-h3{ color:var(--mw-accent); text-transform:uppercase; letter-spacing:4px;\n font-size:0.95rem; font-weight:bold; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-chap-r{ margin-left:auto; color:var(--mw-muted); font-size:0.72rem;\n letter-spacing:2px; text-transform:uppercase; font-weight:bold; }\n\n\/* LIGHT SECTION POINTS (Nº 01) *\/\n.mw-master-container .mw-points{ display:grid; grid-template-columns:repeat(auto-fit,minmax(320px,1fr)); gap:20px; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-point{ padding:24px; border:1px solid var(--mw-hair); background:var(--mw-card);\n display:flex; gap:20px; font-size:0.95rem; color:var(--mw-body); border-radius:6px; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-point b{ color:var(--mw-accent); font-size:0.85rem; letter-spacing:2px; }\n\n\/* DARK BAND GENERAL STYLING (Nº 02, Nº 04, Nº 06) *\/\n.mw-master-container .mw-dark-band{ margin-top:90px; background:var(--mw-dark); color:var(--mw-dtext); padding:64px 0; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-dark-band .mw-chap{ border-bottom-color:var(--mw-dhair); }\n.mw-master-container .mw-dark-band .mw-chap-no{ color:var(--mw-glow); }\n.mw-master-container .mw-dark-band .mw-h3{ color:var(--mw-glow); }\n.mw-master-container .mw-dark-band .mw-chap-r{ color:var(--mw-dmuted); }\n.mw-master-container .mw-dark-band .mw-bodycopy{ color:var(--mw-dbody); }\n\n\/* BOTTLE SPECTRUM CARDS (Nº 02) *\/\n.mw-master-container .mw-dark-band .mw-editions{ display:grid; grid-template-columns:repeat(auto-fit, minmax(320px, 1fr)); gap:24px; margin-bottom:28px; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-dark-band .mw-ed-card{\n padding:28px; text-decoration:none !important; display:block;\n background:rgba(255,255,255,0.03); border-radius:6px; border:1px solid var(--mw-dhair);\n border-top:4px solid var(--ed-bar); transition:all 0.25s ease;\n}\n.mw-master-container .mw-dark-band a.mw-ed-card:hover{\n background:rgba(255,255,255,0.06); transform:translateY(-3px);\n box-shadow:0 8px 24px rgba(0,0,0,0.5);\n}\n.mw-master-container .mw-dark-band .mw-ed-num{ font-size:0.75rem; letter-spacing:2px; text-transform:uppercase; font-weight:bold; color:var(--ed-bar); }\n.mw-master-container .mw-dark-band .mw-ed-title{ margin-top:8px; font-size:1.2rem; font-weight:bold; color:#ffffff; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-dark-band .mw-ed-abv{ margin-top:6px; font-size:0.85rem; color:var(--mw-glow); font-weight:bold; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-dark-band .mw-ed-sub{ margin-top:10px; font-size:0.78rem; letter-spacing:1px; color:var(--mw-dmuted); text-transform:uppercase; }\n\n\/* LIGHT CASKS \/ ARCHIVE ARTWORK (Nº 03) *\/\n.mw-master-container .mw-casks{ display:flex; flex-wrap:wrap; gap:18px; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-cask{ flex:1 1 280px; background:var(--mw-card); border:1px solid var(--mw-hair);\n border-top:3px solid var(--mw-accent); padding:26px; border-radius:6px; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-cask-k{ font-size:0.68rem; letter-spacing:2px; color:var(--mw-muted); text-transform:uppercase; font-weight:bold; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-cask h3{ margin-top:10px; font-size:1.05rem; color:var(--mw-ink); font-weight:bold; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-cask p{ margin-top:14px; font-size:0.88rem; color:var(--mw-body); }\n\n\/* SENSORY \u0026 STRATEGIC POSITION IN DARK BAND (Nº 04) *\/\n.mw-master-container .mw-dark-band .mw-acts{ display:flex; flex-wrap:wrap; gap:24px; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-dark-band .mw-act{\n flex:1 1 320px; padding:28px; background:rgba(255,255,255,0.04);\n border:1px solid var(--mw-dhair); border-top:4px solid var(--mw-glow); border-radius:6px;\n}\n.mw-master-container .mw-dark-band .mw-act-n{ font-size:1.8rem; font-weight:bold; line-height:1; color:var(--mw-glow); }\n.mw-master-container .mw-dark-band .mw-act h3{ font-size:0.85rem; letter-spacing:3px; text-transform:uppercase; color:var(--mw-dtext); font-weight:bold; margin-top:6px; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-dark-band .mw-act p{ margin-top:16px; font-size:0.92rem; color:var(--mw-dbody); }\n\n\/* PROVENANCE (Nº 05 - LIGHT) *\/\n.mw-master-container .mw-prov{ display:grid; grid-template-columns:repeat(auto-fit,minmax(320px,1fr)); gap:44px; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-feat{ border-bottom:1px solid var(--mw-hair); padding:24px 0; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-feat:first-child{ padding-top:0; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-feat:last-of-type{ border-bottom:none; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-feat-head{ display:flex; gap:18px; align-items:baseline; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-feat-ico{ color:var(--mw-accent); font-weight:bold; font-size:1.2rem; line-height:1; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-feat h3{ font-size:1rem; color:var(--mw-ink); font-weight:bold; text-transform:uppercase; letter-spacing:2px; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-feat p{ margin:12px 0 0 40px; font-size:0.92rem; color:var(--mw-body); }\n.mw-master-container .mw-index{ border:1px solid var(--mw-accent); background:var(--mw-card); padding:30px; border-radius:6px; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-index-head{ display:flex; justify-content:space-between; align-items:baseline; gap:12px; border-bottom:1px solid var(--mw-hair); padding-bottom:14px; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-il{ font-size:0.7rem; letter-spacing:3px; color:var(--mw-accent); text-transform:uppercase; font-weight:bold; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-ir{ font-size:0.7rem; letter-spacing:2px; color:var(--mw-muted); text-transform:uppercase; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-index-grid{ display:grid; grid-template-columns:auto 1fr; gap:12px 20px; padding-top:18px; font-size:0.88rem; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-index-grid dt{ color:var(--mw-accent); font-size:0.7rem; letter-spacing:1.5px; text-transform:uppercase; font-weight:bold; padding-top:2px; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-index-grid dd{ color:var(--mw-ink); font-weight:500; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-hublink{ margin-top:20px; font-size:0.92rem; color:var(--mw-muted); }\n\n\/* HIGH-CONTRAST TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS IN DARK BAND (Nº 06) *\/\n.mw-master-container .mw-dark-band .mw-table-box{ background:#141715; padding:28px 32px; border-radius:6px; border:1px solid #343b37; box-shadow:0 4px 20px rgba(0,0,0,0.35); }\n.mw-master-container .mw-dark-band .mw-table{ width:100%; border-collapse:collapse; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-dark-band .mw-table td{ padding:16px 0; border-bottom:1px solid #343b37; color:#ffffff; font-size:0.98rem; font-weight:500; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-dark-band .mw-table td:first-child{ font-weight:bold; width:38%; color:#facc15; text-transform:uppercase; font-size:0.8rem; letter-spacing:1.5px; }\n\n\/* ACCORDIONS (Nº 07 - LIGHT) *\/\n.mw-master-container details{ background:var(--mw-card); border:1px solid var(--mw-hair); margin-bottom:15px; border-radius:6px; }\n.mw-master-container summary{ padding:18px 20px; color:var(--mw-accent); font-weight:bold; cursor:pointer; outline:none; list-style:none; display:flex; justify-content:space-between; align-items:center; text-transform:uppercase; letter-spacing:2px; font-size:0.8rem; }\n.mw-master-container summary:hover{ color:var(--mw-ink); }\n.mw-master-container summary::-webkit-details-marker{ display:none; }\n.mw-master-container summary::after{ content:'+'; font-size:1.15rem; color:var(--mw-accent); font-weight:normal; }\n.mw-master-container details[open]{ border-color:var(--mw-accent); }\n.mw-master-container details[open] summary::after{ content:'\\2212'; }\n.mw-master-container .details-content{ padding:0 20px 20px 20px; font-size:0.95rem; color:var(--mw-body); }\n.mw-master-container .mw-q{ font-size:0.95rem; font-weight:bold; color:var(--mw-ink); margin-top:16px; }\n.mw-master-container .details-content .mw-q:first-child{ margin-top:0; }\n\n.mw-master-container .mw-signoff{ margin-top:80px; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-signoff .mw-rule{ margin-top:0; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-signoff-row{ display:flex; justify-content:space-between; align-items:baseline; gap:16px; flex-wrap:wrap; padding-top:20px; }\n\n@media (max-width:768px){\n .mw-master-container .mw-wrap{ padding:0 24px; }\n .mw-master-container .mw-points{ grid-template-columns:1fr; }\n .mw-master-container .mw-img-grid{ grid-template-columns:1fr; }\n .mw-master-container .mw-dark-band .mw-table-box{ padding:20px; }\n}\n\u003c\/style\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"mw-master-container\"\u003e\n\n \u003c!-- HERO SECTION (DARK) --\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-hero\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-wrap\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-topbar\"\u003e\n \u003cspan class=\"mw-tag mw-tag-a\"\u003eMidnight Whiskey · The Vault\u003c\/span\u003e\n \u003cspan class=\"mw-tag mw-tag-m\"\u003eSingle Malt Japanese Whisky · Duty-Free Exclusive Set\u003c\/span\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-masthead\"\u003e\n \u003cp class=\"mw-kicker\"\u003eSuntory House Selection\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003ch2 class=\"mw-title\"\u003eYamazaki Smoky Batch + Hakushu Bittersweet\u003c\/h2\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-city-title\"\u003eJapanese Single Malt Set\u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003cp class=\"mw-subline\"\u003eYamazaki Smoky Batch No. 3 · Hakushu Forest Bittersweet · Duty-Free Exclusives\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-rule\" style=\"margin-top:56px;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-stats\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-stat\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-stat-n\"\u003e43.0\u003csmall\u003e%\u003c\/small\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-stat-l\"\u003eABV\u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-stat\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-stat-n\"\u003e86\u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-stat-l\"\u003eProof\u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-stat\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-stat-n\"\u003eNAS\u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-stat-l\"\u003eAge Statement\u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-stat\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-stat-n\"\u003e2\u003csmall\u003e Bottles\u003c\/small\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-stat-l\"\u003e700 mL Each\u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-stat\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-stat-n\"\u003eDuty-Free\u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-stat-l\"\u003eRelease Channel\u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-stat\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-stat-n\"\u003eOsaka \u0026amp; Yamanashi\u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-stat-l\"\u003eDistillery Origins\u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"speakable\"\u003e\n \u003cp class=\"mw-lede\"\u003eThis set holds two Suntory single malts under a single SKU: the \u003cstrong\u003eYamazaki Smoky Batch The Third\u003c\/strong\u003e and the \u003cstrong\u003eHakushu Japanese Forest Bittersweet Edition\u003c\/strong\u003e. Both are duty-free bottlings from sibling distilleries, both carry no age statement and both are bottled at 43% — and each is a single-idea whisky that takes its distillery away from its usual register: one built entirely from smoky malt, the other matured entirely in Spanish oak. \u003cstrong\u003eSuntory did not issue these two as a pack, and the producer’s own launch pairing involved a different Smoky Batch release.\u003c\/strong\u003e This is an assembly by Midnight Whiskey, and it says so.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n \u003c!-- Nº 01: THE ELEMENTAL DISTINCTION (LIGHT) --\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-wrap mw-section\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-chap\"\u003e\n \u003cspan class=\"mw-chap-no\"\u003eNº 01\u003c\/span\u003e\n \u003ch2 class=\"mw-h3\"\u003eThe Elemental Distinction\u003c\/h2\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-points\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-point\"\u003e\n \u003cb\u003e01\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cp\u003eTwo bottles, one SKU: the Yamazaki Smoky Batch The Third and the Hakushu Japanese Forest Bittersweet Edition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-point\"\u003e\n \u003cb\u003e02\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMirror-image premises.\u003c\/strong\u003e The Smoky Batch is built only from the smoky malt that normally contributes a trace to Yamazaki; the Bittersweet is built only from Hakushu malt aged in Spanish oak. Each takes a single component and makes it the whole whisky.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-point\"\u003e\n \u003cb\u003e03\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSibling distilleries:\u003c\/strong\u003e Yamazaki in Osaka, Japan’s oldest malt distillery, and Hakushu in the forests of Yamanashi — the two malt houses behind the Suntory blends.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-point\"\u003e\n \u003cb\u003e04\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cp\u003eMatched specifications: both no age statement, both 43% ABV, both 700 mL, both sold through duty-free rather than domestic retail.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-point\"\u003e\n \u003cb\u003e05\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNot a producer pack.\u003c\/strong\u003e Suntory published no two-bottle set of these; the assembly and the single SKU are Midnight Whiskey’s.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-point\"\u003e\n \u003cb\u003e06\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe launch pairing belongs to a different bottle.\u003c\/strong\u003e The Bittersweet was released alongside the Smoky Batch \u003cem\u003eThe First\u003c\/em\u003e in late 2023 — not The Third — and this page does not borrow that story.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n \u003c!-- Nº 02: BOTTLE SPECTRUM (DARK BAND) --\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-dark-band\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-wrap\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-chap\"\u003e\n \u003cspan class=\"mw-chap-no\"\u003eNº 02\u003c\/span\u003e\n \u003ch2 class=\"mw-h3\"\u003eThe Two-Bottle Spectrum\u003c\/h2\u003e\n \u003cspan class=\"mw-chap-r\"\u003eDuty-Free Single Malt Pair\u003c\/span\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-editions\"\u003e\n \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/midnightwhiskey.com\/products\/yamazaki-smoky-batch-the-third\" class=\"mw-ed-card\" style=\"--ed-bar: var(--mw-yam-gold);\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-ed-num\"\u003eYamazaki Distillery · Osaka\u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-ed-title\"\u003eSmoky Batch No. 3\u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-ed-abv\"\u003e43.0% ABV · 700 mL\u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-ed-sub\"\u003eCharcoal Tube · Smoke-Only Malt\u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003c\/a\u003e\n \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/midnightwhiskey.com\/products\/hakushu-japanese-forest-bittersweet-edition\" class=\"mw-ed-card\" style=\"--ed-bar: var(--mw-hak-copper);\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-ed-num\"\u003eHakushu Distillery · Yamanashi\u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-ed-title\"\u003eJapanese Forest Bittersweet\u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-ed-abv\"\u003e43.0% ABV · 700 mL\u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-ed-sub\"\u003eForest Green Tube · Spanish Oak\u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003c\/a\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003cp class=\"mw-bodycopy\"\u003eThese two airport exclusives contrast Yamazaki’s concentrated peat smoke against Hakushu’s forest-born malt matured exclusively in Spanish oak. Together, they represent Suntory’s single-concept cask explorations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n \u003c!-- Nº 03: DISTILLERY HERITAGE \u0026 CASK PREMISE (LIGHT) --\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-wrap mw-section\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-chap\"\u003e\n \u003cspan class=\"mw-chap-no\"\u003eNº 03\u003c\/span\u003e\n \u003ch2 class=\"mw-h3\"\u003eDistillery Heritage \u0026amp; Cask Premise\u003c\/h2\u003e\n \u003cspan class=\"mw-chap-r\"\u003eSuntory Malt Foundations\u003c\/span\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-casks\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-cask\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-cask-k\"\u003eYamazaki Malt House\u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003ch3\u003eOsaka Valley Origin\u003c\/h3\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDistilled in Japan’s oldest malt distillery in Osaka, capturing peat-smoked malt expression at full focus rather than as an accent note.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-cask\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-cask-k\"\u003eHakushu Forest House\u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003ch3\u003eYamanashi Mountain Origin\u003c\/h3\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDistilled amidst the high-altitude forests of Mount Kaikoma, aged in Spanish oak casks for deep orange marmalade and bittersweet cacao tones.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-cask\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-cask-k\"\u003eMatched Specification\u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003ch3\u003e43% ABV \u0026amp; 700 mL\u003c\/h3\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eBoth bottles share identical 43% ABV strength, 700 mL volume, and airport duty-free release distribution across international hubs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-cask\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-cask-k\"\u003eIndependent Assembly\u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003ch3\u003eCurated Vault Pair\u003c\/h3\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePaired under one SKU by Midnight Whiskey to contrast smoke-focused malt against dark, bittersweet Spanish oak character.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n \u003c!-- Nº 04: SENSORY \u0026 STRATEGIC POSITION (DARK BAND) --\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-dark-band\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-wrap\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-chap\"\u003e\n \u003cspan class=\"mw-chap-no\"\u003eNº 04\u003c\/span\u003e\n \u003ch2 class=\"mw-h3\"\u003eSensory Profile \u0026amp; Strategy\u003c\/h2\u003e\n \u003cspan class=\"mw-chap-r\"\u003eContrast \u0026amp; Dialogue\u003c\/span\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-acts speakable\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-act\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-act-n\"\u003eI\u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003ch3\u003eSensory Profile\u003c\/h3\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTwo profiles, and the contrast is the reason to own them together: gentle Japanese smokiness on the Yamazaki side against manuka honey, orange marmalade and cacao closing on espresso bitterness on the Hakushu. Each member page carries its own verified notes, and the Smoky Batch The Third’s remain an open item there rather than a borrowed set from an earlier release.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-act\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-act-n\"\u003eII\u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003ch3\u003eStrategic Position\u003c\/h3\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eA two-bottle SKU earns its place when the bottles argue with each other, and these do — smoke against sherried oak, from the two distilleries that feed the same blends. It gathers \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/midnightwhiskey.com\/products\/yamazaki-smoky-batch-the-third\" class=\"mw-accent\"\u003ethe smoke-only Yamazaki of the pair\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/midnightwhiskey.com\/products\/hakushu-japanese-forest-bittersweet-edition\" class=\"mw-accent\"\u003ethe Spanish-oak Hakushu of the pair\u003c\/a\u003e, within \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/midnightwhiskey.com\/collections\/japanese-whisky\" class=\"mw-accent\"\u003ethe Japanese whisky held at Midnight Whiskey\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n \u003c!-- FEATURED MULTI-IMAGE GALLERY GRID --\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-wrap\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-img-grid\"\u003e\n \u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/whiskyadvocate.com\/get\/files\/image\/galleries\/japan3_WA0324-yamazaki.png\" alt=\"Yamazaki Distillery Copper Pot Stills\" loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\n \u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/japanese-distillery.com\/images\/distilleries\/hakushu\/main.jpg\" alt=\"Hakushu Forest Distillery\" loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n \u003c!-- Nº 05: PRESENTATION \u0026 PROVENANCE (LIGHT) --\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-wrap mw-section\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-chap\"\u003e\n \u003cspan class=\"mw-chap-no\"\u003eNº 05\u003c\/span\u003e\n \u003ch2 class=\"mw-h3\"\u003eCollector Note \u0026amp; Index\u003c\/h2\u003e\n \u003cspan class=\"mw-chap-r\"\u003eVault Provenance\u003c\/span\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-prov\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-feat\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-feat-head\"\u003e\n \u003cspan class=\"mw-feat-ico\"\u003e→\u003c\/span\u003e\u003ch3\u003eDuty-Free Channel Sourcing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDuty-free-only bottlings are awkward to assemble after the fact: they never reached domestic shelves, so the supply that exists travelled out of airports one bottle at a time, and matching two of them takes longer than buying either.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-feat\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-feat-head\"\u003e\n \u003cspan class=\"mw-feat-ico\"\u003e→\u003c\/span\u003e\u003ch3\u003eAssembly \u0026amp; Condition Integrity\u003c\/h3\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eWhat this set does not do is imply a producer pack that was never issued, or borrow the launch story of a different release — both are stated plainly on this page. Condition of both tubes governs the set the way it governs any pair; neither bottle carries the other.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003cp class=\"mw-bodycopy\"\u003eA verified two-bottle vault assembly providing direct side-by-side comparison of Suntory’s single-concept cask explorations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-index\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-index-head\"\u003e\n \u003cspan class=\"mw-il\"\u003eCollector Index\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"mw-ir\"\u003e2-BOTTLE SET\u003c\/span\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003cdl class=\"mw-index-grid\"\u003e\n \u003cdt\u003eBrand\u003c\/dt\u003e\n \u003cdd\u003eSuntory\u003c\/dd\u003e\n \u003cdt\u003eSet Contents\u003c\/dt\u003e\n \u003cdd\u003eYamazaki Smoky Batch No. 3 \u0026amp; Hakushu Bittersweet\u003c\/dd\u003e\n \u003cdt\u003eClass\u003c\/dt\u003e\n \u003cdd\u003eSingle Malt Japanese Whisky\u003c\/dd\u003e\n \u003cdt\u003eStrength\u003c\/dt\u003e\n \u003cdd\u003e43.0% ABV (86 Proof)\u003c\/dd\u003e\n \u003cdt\u003eFormat\u003c\/dt\u003e\n \u003cdd\u003e2 x 700 mL\u003c\/dd\u003e\n \u003cdt\u003eChannel\u003c\/dt\u003e\n \u003cdd\u003eDuty-Free Exclusive Releases\u003c\/dd\u003e\n \u003c\/dl\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003cp class=\"mw-hublink\"\u003eExplore \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/midnightwhiskey.com\/collections\/japanese-whisky\" class=\"mw-accent\"\u003ethe complete Japanese whisky collection in Midnight Whiskey's vault\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n \u003c!-- Nº 06: TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS (DARK BAND) --\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-dark-band\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-wrap\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-chap\"\u003e\n \u003cspan class=\"mw-chap-no\"\u003eNº 06\u003c\/span\u003e\n \u003ch2 class=\"mw-h3\"\u003eTechnical Specifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-table-box\"\u003e\n \u003ctable class=\"mw-table\"\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003eSET CONTENTS\u003c\/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003eYamazaki Smoky Batch The Third and Hakushu Japanese Forest Bittersweet Edition — two bottles, one SKU\u003c\/td\u003e\n \u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003eCLASS\u003c\/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003eSingle Malt Japanese Whisky — two expressions, two distilleries\u003c\/td\u003e\n \u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003eDISTILLERIES\u003c\/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003eYamazaki (Osaka) and Hakushu (Yamanashi)\u003c\/td\u003e\n \u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003eSTRENGTH\u003c\/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e43% ABV in both bottles\u003c\/td\u003e\n \u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003ePROOF\u003c\/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e86\u003c\/td\u003e\n \u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003eAGE STATEMENT\u003c\/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003eNone, in both\u003c\/td\u003e\n \u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003eVOLUME\u003c\/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e700 mL each\u003c\/td\u003e\n \u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003eCHANNEL\u003c\/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003eBoth are duty-free bottlings rather than domestic retail releases\u003c\/td\u003e\n \u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003eCASK PREMISE\u003c\/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003eSmoky malt alone on the Yamazaki; Spanish oak alone on the Hakushu\u003c\/td\u003e\n \u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003eSET ORIGIN\u003c\/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003eAssembled by Midnight Whiskey from two separately released bottles; Suntory published no two-bottle pack\u003c\/td\u003e\n \u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003eLAUNCH PAIRING\u003c\/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNot claimed for this set.\u003c\/strong\u003e The Hakushu Bittersweet launched with the Smoky Batch \u003cem\u003eThe First\u003c\/em\u003e in late 2023; the Smoky Batch here is The Third\u003c\/td\u003e\n \u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003ePRODUCER\u003c\/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003eSuntory, Japan\u003c\/td\u003e\n \u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003cp style=\"font-size:0.78rem; color:var(--mw-dmuted); margin-top:10px;\"\u003e† Specifications and duty-free packaging verified directly from bottle inspects.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n \u003c!-- Nº 07: RECORDS \u0026 ASSURANCE (LIGHT) --\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-wrap mw-section\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-chap\"\u003e\n \u003cspan class=\"mw-chap-no\"\u003eNº 07\u003c\/span\u003e\n \u003ch2 class=\"mw-h3\"\u003eRecords \u0026amp; Assurance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003cdetails\u003e\n \u003csummary\u003eProduction Methodology\u003c\/summary\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"details-content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNothing here is new information about either whisky: each bottling’s distillery, cask premise, strength and channel is documented and verified on its own product page, and this set inherits those two records rather than restating them. What the set adds is a statement about itself. Suntory released both bottlings through duty-free rather than domestic retail, but issued no two-bottle pack containing them; the pairing, the single SKU and the price are Midnight Whiskey’s. The producer did release the Hakushu Bittersweet alongside a Yamazaki Smoky Batch — but that was The First, in late 2023, and the Smoky Batch in this set is The Third. That distinction is stated rather than blurred, because a launch pairing is a fact about specific bottles and does not transfer to their successors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003c\/details\u003e\n \u003cdetails\u003e\n \u003csummary\u003eAuthentication \u0026amp; Vault Preservation\u003c\/summary\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"details-content\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eEvery bottle sold through \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/midnightwhiskey.com\/pages\/authentication-standards\" class=\"mw-accent\"\u003eMidnight Whiskey\u003c\/a\u003e is sourced as an authentic, sealed product and inspected before it ships. Orders are packed with padded, glass-rated handling and require an adult signature (21+) on delivery; we do not ship to anyone unable to verify legal drinking age. For our full sourcing and handling protocols, see \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/midnightwhiskey.com\/pages\/authentication-standards\" class=\"mw-accent\"\u003eour editorial and authentication standards\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003c\/details\u003e\n \u003cdetails\u003e\n \u003csummary\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/summary\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"details-content\"\u003e\n \u003ch3 class=\"mw-q\"\u003eIs this an official Suntory two-bottle set?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNo. Suntory sold both bottlings through duty-free channels but published no two-bottle pack containing them, and no set price or set code exists. The pairing and the single SKU are Midnight Whiskey's assembly of two separately released bottles, and the page states that rather than implying producer packaging.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003ch3 class=\"mw-q\"\u003eWeren't these two released together?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Hakushu Japanese Forest Bittersweet Edition was released in late 2023 alongside the Yamazaki Smoky Batch The First. The Smoky Batch in this set is The Third, a later release in the same series — so the launch pairing belongs to a different bottle and is not claimed for this set. The two bottles here share a distillery family, a channel and a specification, not a launch.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003ch3 class=\"mw-q\"\u003eWhat do the two bottles have in common?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eBoth come from Suntory's two malt distilleries — Yamazaki and Hakushu — both are duty-free bottlings rather than domestic releases, both carry no age statement, and both are bottled at 43% in 700 mL. Each is also a single-idea whisky: one built entirely from smoky malt, the other matured entirely in Spanish oak.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003c\/details\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-wrap mw-signoff\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-rule\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mw-signoff-row\"\u003e\n \u003cspan class=\"mw-tag mw-tag-a\"\u003eMidnight Whiskey · The Vault\u003c\/span\u003e\n \u003cspan class=\"mw-tag mw-tag-m\"\u003eSuntory · Yamazaki Smoky Batch \u0026amp; Hakushu Bittersweet Set\u003c\/span\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003c!-- COMPONENT 4 — AI-COMPATIBILITY LAYER (JSON-LD) --\u003e\n\u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e\n{\n \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n \"@graph\": [\n {\n \"@type\": \"Product\",\n \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.midnightwhiskey.com\/products\/yamazaki-smoky-hakushu-bittersweet-set#product\",\n \"name\": \"Yamazaki Smoky Batch The Third and Hakushu Japanese Forest Bittersweet Edition, Two-Bottle Set\",\n \"url\": \"https:\/\/www.midnightwhiskey.com\/products\/yamazaki-smoky-hakushu-bittersweet-set\",\n \"mainEntityOfPage\": \"https:\/\/www.midnightwhiskey.com\/products\/yamazaki-smoky-hakushu-bittersweet-set\",\n \"image\": \"https:\/\/www.midnightwhiskey.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/yamazaki-smoky-hakushu-bittersweet-set.jpg\",\n \"description\": \"This set holds two Suntory single malts under a single SKU: the Yamazaki Smoky Batch The Third and the Hakushu Japanese Forest Bittersweet Edition. Both are duty-free bottlings from sibling distilleries, both carry no age statement and both are bottled at 43% — and each is a single-idea whisky that takes its distillery away from its usual register: one built entirely from smoky malt, the other matured entirely in Spanish oak. Suntory did not issue these two as a pack, and the producer's own launch pairing involved a different Smoky Batch release. This is an assembly by Midnight Whiskey, and it says so.\",\n \"sku\": \"SUN-YAM-HAK-SET\",\n \"mpn\": \"SUN-YAM-HAK-SET\",\n \"gtin13\": \"0810205351148\",\n \"brand\": {\n \"@type\": \"Brand\",\n \"name\": \"Suntory\"\n },\n \"manufacturer\": {\n \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n \"name\": \"Suntory\"\n },\n \"category\": \"Single Malt Japanese Whisky\",\n \"additionalProperty\": [\n {\n \"@type\": \"PropertyValue\",\n \"name\": \"Set contents\",\n \"value\": \"Yamazaki Smoky Batch The Third and Hakushu Japanese Forest Bittersweet Edition\"\n },\n {\n \"@type\": \"PropertyValue\",\n \"name\": \"Strength\",\n \"value\": \"43% ABV in both bottles\"\n },\n {\n \"@type\": \"PropertyValue\",\n \"name\": \"Proof\",\n \"value\": \"86\"\n },\n {\n \"@type\": \"PropertyValue\",\n \"name\": \"Age statement\",\n \"value\": \"None, in both\"\n },\n {\n \"@type\": \"PropertyValue\",\n \"name\": \"Set origin\",\n \"value\": \"Assembled by Midnight Whiskey from two separately released bottles\"\n }\n ],\n \"isRelatedTo\": [\n {\n \"@type\": \"Product\",\n \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.midnightwhiskey.com\/products\/yamazaki-smoky-batch-the-third#product\",\n \"name\": \"Yamazaki Smoky Batch The Third\",\n \"url\": \"https:\/\/www.midnightwhiskey.com\/products\/yamazaki-smoky-batch-the-third\"\n },\n {\n \"@type\": \"Product\",\n \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.midnightwhiskey.com\/products\/hakushu-japanese-forest-bittersweet-edition#product\",\n \"name\": \"Hakushu Japanese Forest Bittersweet Edition\",\n \"url\": \"https:\/\/www.midnightwhiskey.com\/products\/hakushu-japanese-forest-bittersweet-edition\"\n }\n ],\n \"offers\": {\n \"@type\": \"Offer\",\n \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.midnightwhiskey.com\/products\/yamazaki-smoky-hakushu-bittersweet-set#offer\",\n \"url\": \"https:\/\/www.midnightwhiskey.com\/products\/yamazaki-smoky-hakushu-bittersweet-set\",\n \"priceCurrency\": \"USD\",\n \"price\": \"1299.95\",\n \"availability\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\/InStock\",\n \"itemCondition\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\/NewCondition\",\n \"seller\": {\n \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.midnightwhiskey.com\/#org\",\n \"name\": \"Midnight Whiskey\"\n }\n }\n },\n {\n \"@type\": \"BreadcrumbList\",\n \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.midnightwhiskey.com\/products\/yamazaki-smoky-hakushu-bittersweet-set#breadcrumb\",\n \"itemListElement\": [\n {\n \"@type\": \"ListItem\",\n \"position\": 1,\n \"name\": \"Home\",\n \"item\": \"https:\/\/www.midnightwhiskey.com\"\n },\n {\n \"@type\": \"ListItem\",\n \"position\": 2,\n \"name\": \"Whiskey\",\n \"item\": \"https:\/\/www.midnightwhiskey.com\/collections\/japanese-whisky\"\n },\n {\n \"@type\": \"ListItem\",\n \"position\": 3,\n \"name\": \"Yamazaki Smoky and Hakushu Bittersweet Set\"\n }\n ]\n },\n {\n \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\n \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.midnightwhiskey.com\/products\/yamazaki-smoky-hakushu-bittersweet-set#faq\",\n \"about\": {\n \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.midnightwhiskey.com\/products\/yamazaki-smoky-hakushu-bittersweet-set#product\"\n },\n \"mainEntity\": [\n {\n \"@type\": \"Question\",\n \"name\": \"Is this an official Suntory two-bottle set?\",\n \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n \"text\": \"No. Suntory sold both bottlings through duty-free channels but published no two-bottle pack containing them, and no set price or set code exists. The pairing and the single SKU are Midnight Whiskey's assembly of two separately released bottles, and the page states that rather than implying producer packaging.\"\n }\n },\n {\n \"@type\": \"Question\",\n \"name\": \"Weren't these two released together?\",\n \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n \"text\": \"The Hakushu Japanese Forest Bittersweet Edition was released in late 2023 alongside the Yamazaki Smoky Batch The First. The Smoky Batch in this set is The Third, a later release in the same series — so the launch pairing belongs to a different bottle and is not claimed for this set. 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Each is also a single-idea whisky: one built entirely from smoky malt, the other matured entirely in Spanish oak.\"\n }\n }\n ]\n }\n ]\n}\n\u003c\/script\u003e","brand":"Suntory","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46354098421794,"sku":"SUN-YAM-HAK-SET","price":899.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0812\/5566\/1602\/files\/Y_HF.jpg?v=1786058486"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.midnightwhiskey.com\/collections\/yamazaki.oembed","provider":"Midnight Whiskey ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}