Suntory's Yamazaki distillery has never been afraid to experiment. While the house is rightly celebrated for its elegant, Mizunara-influenced expressions, the Yamazaki Peated Malt 2022 Edition represents something altogether more provocative — a deliberate pivot into smoke from a distillery not typically associated with it. At 48% ABV and carrying a price tag of £695, this is a bottle that demands attention and, frankly, justification. Having spent considerable time with it, I believe it earns both.
What makes this release fascinating is its premise. Yamazaki has the capacity to produce peated spirit — they have done so quietly for decades as a blending component — but to foreground that character in a single malt bottling is a statement of intent. This is NAS, meaning the team at Suntory has prioritised flavour profile over age declaration, selecting casks that serve the peated concept rather than conforming to a number on the label. In the right hands, that approach yields results, and Suntory's blending pedigree is beyond question.
The 48% bottling strength is a thoughtful choice — robust enough to carry the weight of peat without overwhelming the more delicate Japanese distilling character that sits beneath. This is not an Islay bruiser. It is peat through a different lens entirely: restrained, considered, integrated. The interplay between smoke and the refinement Yamazaki is known for creates something genuinely distinctive in the category.
Tasting Notes
I won't fabricate specific tasting notes where my records don't warrant it, but I can speak to the style with confidence. Expect the peat here to present differently from its Scottish counterparts — less maritime, less medicinal, more woody and subtly sweet. The Yamazaki house character — that signature balance and poise — acts as a counterweight. This is a whisky that rewards patience. Give it twenty minutes in the glass and it will open up considerably.
The Verdict
At £695, this sits firmly in the premium bracket, and I won't pretend otherwise. You are paying, in part, for the scarcity and collectibility that surrounds Japanese whisky in 2022 and beyond. But you are also paying for genuine craft. This is not a gimmick. The peated malt programme at Yamazaki is a serious undertaking, and this edition demonstrates real skill in balancing smoke with the elegance the distillery is known for. It is a whisky that challenges expectations of what Japanese single malt can be, and for that alone it deserves recognition. An 8 out of 10 — a compelling and well-executed expression that stands apart in a crowded market. The only reservation is the price, which will understandably give pause. But for those who can justify it, this is a bottle that delivers something you simply cannot find elsewhere.
Best Served
Neat, at room temperature, in a tulip-shaped nosing glass. If you want to explore its range, add a few drops of still water after your first few sips — the peat softens and the underlying sweetness becomes more pronounced. A Japanese-style Highball with quality soda water is also worth trying; the carbonation lifts the smoke beautifully and makes for an exceptional long drink. But at this price point, I would start neat and let the whisky speak for itself.
