Yamazaki Distiller’s Reserve NAS

Yamazaki Distiller’s Reserve NAS is a Japanese whisky distillery located in Shimamoto. Opened in 1923 by Shinjiro Torii, the founder of Suntory, Yamazaki manage to fulfill Torii’s desire throughout the years, ‘create a perfect whisky that reflects the nature of Japan and the spirit of Japanese craftsmanship.’

Mild with fresh fruit. On the nose Yamazaki NAS is with strawberry and Mizunara (Japanese oak), while on the palate you can taste raspberry and touch of coconut, with a clear sweet vanilla finish. You can either enjoy it neat or serve it as Highball.

Yamazaki Distillery is where it all began for whisky in Japan. Masataka Taketsuru, who went to Scotland to study how whisky is produce, then would help Shinjiro Torii create in 1923 the first whisky distillery in Japan Yamazaki. Locates near Kyoto, the distillery sits in a quiet place, surround by nature and greenery, and with excellent quality water, requires to make whisky. Whilst it is found in 1923, Yamazaki is release as a single malt only in 1984. Though I couldn’t book a tour (already full) when I went there, back in 2018, I could, however, visit the museum, which is free, and features more than 7.000 bottles in its whisky library. I’ll show you around, and then we’ll review the Yamazaki Distiller’s Reserve

Yamazaki Distiller’s Reserve NAS Museum

Last time I went to Japan, back in 2018 (already four years ago, sigh…), I wanted to visit Yamazaki Distillery since it wasn’t far from Kyoto, that trip being mostly around Osaka and Kyoto. Unfortunately, little did I know (I should have checked way earlier!) that tours were booked months in advance, so I couldn’t visit the production side of the distillery.

I could, however, as I said, visit the museum, and it’s a great visit in itself. You’ll see many iconic bottles, old advertisements, you will learn many things about the Yamazaki whiskies and other Suntory ones. There is the magnificent whisky library, featuring more than 7.000 bottles, and the museum shop features an old still as well as a mash tun converted into whisky shelves with whiskies from Beam-Suntory. Finally, there’s a whisky bar when you can try many whiskies at a reasonable price. Unfortunately, back in 2018 already you couldn’t buy in the museum shop a bottle of Yamazaki 12-year-old or 18-year-old, but the Limited Edition was available in small quantities. No idea if it’s still the case.