The Yamazaki 12 Year Old is the signature single malt from Suntory’s legendary Yamazaki Distillery — Japan’s oldest malt whisky distillery, founded in 1923. Revered for its elegance, subtle complexity and unmistakable Japanese character, it played a major role in introducing Japanese whisky to the global stage.
Matured in a combination of American oak, sherry and Japanese Mizunara oak casks, the Yamazaki 12 balances delicate fruit, gentle spice and refined oak influence with remarkable precision. Smooth yet layered, it remains one of the most sought-after entry points into premium Japanese whisky.
Tasting Notes
Colour: Bright amber with golden honey tones.
Nose: Elegant and aromatic. Notes of peach, pineapple and grapefruit are layered with vanilla, honey and delicate floral tones. Hints of coconut, incense and Mizunara oak spice emerge with time.
Palate: Silky and refined. Orchard fruits and citrus peel combine with soft malt sweetness, gentle oak and subtle spice. The Mizunara casks contribute delicate sandalwood and incense-like notes, adding a uniquely Japanese dimension.
Finish: Long, smooth and lightly spicy, with lingering fruit sweetness, soft oak and subtle Mizunara character.
Technical Details
Distillery: Yamazaki
Producer: Suntory
Region: Osaka Prefecture, Japan
Style: Japanese Single Malt Whisky
Age Statement: 12 Years
Maturation: American oak, sherry casks & Japanese Mizunara oak casks
ABV: 43%
Bottle Size: 700ml
Natural Colour: Yes
Chill-Filtered: Yes (standard Suntory style)
Awards & Accolades
Yamazaki 12 Year Old has received widespread international acclaim, including:
Multiple Gold Medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition
High ratings from Whisky Advocate and major international critics
Widely recognised as one of the whiskies that sparked global interest in Japanese whisky
Its reputation and limited availability have made it increasingly collectible over the last decade.
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.
