The Yamazaki 18 Year Old is one of the world’s most revered Japanese whiskies — a richly layered single malt that embodies the elegance, precision and depth for which Suntory whiskies have become famous. Produced at Japan’s oldest malt whisky distillery, this expression is matured for a minimum of 18 years in a combination of American oak, sherry and prized Japanese Mizunara oak casks.
Deeply complex yet remarkably balanced, Yamazaki 18 has become a benchmark luxury whisky and one of the most collectible modern Japanese releases. Its combination of mature sherry richness and distinctive sandalwood-like Mizunara character creates a profile unlike any Scotch whisky.
Tasting Notes
Colour: Deep amber with polished mahogany highlights.
Nose: Rich and refined. Aromas of dried raisin, prune and dark cherry are layered with incense, sandalwood and polished oak. Hints of dark chocolate, orange peel and espresso emerge beautifully with time.
Palate: Full-bodied and velvety. Sherry cask influence delivers notes of dried fruit, molasses and dark cocoa, while Mizunara oak contributes subtle spice, incense and exotic wood character. The texture is silky and deeply integrated, with remarkable harmony between sweetness, oak and spice.
Finish: Long, elegant and contemplative, with lingering dark chocolate, dried fruit, oak spice and the signature incense-like Mizunara note that defines mature Yamazaki.
Technical Details
Distillery: Yamazaki
Producer: Suntory
Region: Osaka Prefecture, Japan
Style: Japanese Single Malt Whisky
Age Statement: 18 Years
Maturation: Combination of American oak, sherry casks and Japanese Mizunara oak casks
ABV: 43%
Bottle Size: 700ml
Natural Colour: Yes
Chill-Filtered: Yes (standard Suntory house style)
Awards & Accolades
Yamazaki 18 Year Old is one of the most awarded Japanese whiskies ever produced, including:
Multiple Double Gold Medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition
Gold Outstanding at the International Wine & Spirit Competition
Consistently high ratings from Whisky Advocate, Jim Murray and major international critics
Its global reputation surged after Japanese whisky’s international breakthrough in the 2010s, and it remains one of the most sought-after age-statement Japanese whiskies today.
Delivery within South Africa:
All orders are delivered from our central warehouse located in Montague Gardens, Western Cape. Local orders are usually delivered in 0-2 working days. Orders outside of Cape Town but within SA are generally delivered within 2-5 working days. If you require expedited delivery, we now offer an Express delivery service, which typically takes 1-3 working days, depending on your area.
While we strive for timely deliveries, there are occasional instances where delays may occur. These are rare but can happen due to unforeseen circumstances.
Delivery Rates:
At checkout, you will be presented with delivery options and corresponding rates. These rates are provided directly by our courier partners and are displayed as is. On rare occasions, a courier may generate an incorrect delivery rate due to issues with the address recognition. In such cases, we will arrange for an alternative courier to deliver your order at a similar rate to the original cost.
We believe in offering transparency in our delivery fees and, as such, do not include any delivery costs in our product pricing. We do not profit from delivery fees.
Third-Party Couriers:
For the majority of our orders, we rely on third-party courier services for delivery. Regular notifications will be sent and on the day of delivery the couriers will notify you via sms, call or email . If the courier is unable to reach you, we will get in touch with you to arrange an alternative solution.
Please note, you will be required to sign upon delivery, and the drivers may request a form of identification.
If there is something wrong with your product, we will gladly issue a full refund of 100% of your purchase amount. To process this, please reach out to us at info@mothercityliquor.co.za as soon as possible, and we will guide you through the refund process.
Order Cancellations: If you need to cancel your order, simply email us at info@mothercityliquor.co.za, and we’ll assist you with the cancellation process. Please note, cancellations will incur a small fee of 10%, which covers the transaction fees we incur for processing each order. If your order has already been shipped, please be aware that the shipping fee is non-refundable.
Consignment Orders:
We do not offer consignment stock or consignment deals.
Returns:
If you find that there is an issue with your product, you are eligible to return it to us. Here’s how you can initiate the return:
Exceptions to Returns:
Sale or Special Offer Items: Only regular-priced items are eligible for a refund. Unfortunately, items purchased on sale or as part of a special offer cannot be refunded.
