This is a very old and rare edition of a Japanese whisky best-seller, a single malt whisky aged for 12 years from Suntory’s Yamazaki distillery. Produced exclusively for Miki Watanabe, the Managing Director of the Watami Chain of Restaurants, this exclusive bottling was only available through the Watami restaurants and izakayas (informal drinking / eating establishments in Japan). Miki Watanabe is like the Richard Branson of Japanese business. He has made his own personality his main brand since coming straight out of university to found a single restaurant in 1984. He now has more than 630.

Spiced wood arrives first on the nose and palate, followed by dried cranberries, with a lasting muddle of orange marmalade and honey sweetness.

Bottled at 43% and in a 66cl bottle.

Yamazaki was the first Japanese distillery, established in 1923. The distillery is situated in the vale of Yamazaki, being an area of dense bamboo groves at the foot of Mt. Tennozan, outside Kyoto – Japan’s ancient capital and stronghold of traditional Japanese culture.