Suntory releases 2013 Yamazaki and Hakushu Collections

Suntory has unveiled two Hakashu and four Yamazaki limited edition single malt whiskies aged in different casks as part of its 2013 Suntory Collection.

The 2013 Yamazaki Cask Collection and Hakushu Collection will be available from November

Released every year, 2013’s Suntory Collection has been created with the 90^th anniversary of the Yamazaki distillery in mind.

In keeping with last year’s line-up, the Yamazaki Cask Collection consists of four expressions, each aged in a different type of cask: Yamazaki Bourbon Barrel (£100), Yamazaki Puncheon (£100), Yamazaki Sherry Cask (£100) and Yamazaki Mizunara (£250).

Rolled out to specialist retailers from November, the Yamazaki Cask Collection will retail at a slightly higher price than last year’s range, which came in at £70 a bottle (£250 for the Mizunara).

The 2013 Hakushu Collection meanwhile has been created exclusively for the UK on-trade, and consists of two different whiskies.

Hakushu Heavily Peated is a vatting of select peated whiskies from Hakushu distillery that have been aged in ex-Bourbon barrels for a smoky, sweet and honey-like flavour, while the Hakushu Sherry Cask meanwhile has a raisin, Muscat, “sweet and sour” flavour.

As part of its 90th birthday celebrations, Suntory is investing 5 billion Yen (US$50 million) in increasing productivity at the Yamazaki distillery. With global exports of the single malt up 24% year-on-year, Suntory is investing in order to “meet mid- and long-term demand and prepare for the further expansion in the Japanese and global markets”.