2023 marks a special milestone for Japanese whisky, as it celebrates its 100th anniversary. In October 1923, the Yamazaki Distillery broke ground, and by 1924, it was up and running. Today, Suntory recognizes the launch as 1923, which is why "Since 1923 Year" is printed on every bottle of Yamazaki sold worldwide.
Japanese whisky may not have the same ancient origins as Scotch or Irish whisk(e)y, but it has a rich history and a story that can be traced to specific dates, places, and people. If you're not familiar with the story, there are plenty of resources available, including a narrated tour.
As the world slowly recovers from the pandemic, events are coming back in a big way. In Japan, 2023 will see the return of several whisky festivals, including Whisky Lovers Nagoya, Chichibu Whisky Matsuri, a Tokyo whisky festival, Japanese Whisky Day celebration, Whisky Harbor Kobe, the Tokyo International BarShow, and Biwako Whisky Cruise, just to name a few.
But the biggest buzz surrounding the 100th anniversary is the rumors of limited edition releases from Suntory. While special labels have already been announced, many are speculating that Suntory will release entirely new limited editions of Yamazaki, Hakushu, or both, in celebration of the milestone. Some even speculate that Suntory will release a "Yamazaki Centennial" or other super rare bottling.
New Traditions
Suntory seems to have established an annual tradition, as for the third year in a row, they are releasing the Yamazaki Single Malt Limited Edition 2023 and the Hibiki Blossom Harmony 2023.
The first edition of this tradition began in 2021 and was met with great success, leading to the annual release of these highly anticipated whiskies.
Yamazaki and Hibiki have recently announced the upcoming release of their highly sought-after whiskies, "Yamazaki LIMITED EDITION 2023" and "Hibiki BLOSSOM HARMONY 2023," respectively, through their official brand websites.
In total, 2,000 bottles will be available through two separate lotteries, with 1,000 bottles allocated for each brand. Tasting notes for both whiskies are expected to be consistent with last year's release, suggesting no major changes in taste. The highly anticipated release is scheduled for Tuesday, May 30.
As we look forward to 2023, it's clear that Japanese whisky has come a long way in its 100-year history, and the future looks even brighter. So let's raise a glass to this beloved spirit and all the milestones yet to come!
* Photo by Francesco Ungaro