Yamazaki 10 Year Old 2009 Montilla WIne Cask Essence of Suntory Whisky 2019 Release (700ml, 55.%)

Yamazaki 9 Year Old 2009 Montilla WIne Cask Essence of Suntory Whisky 2019 Release (30ml, 55.%)

The "Essence of Suntory" line was explicitly created to showcase experimental, behind-the-scenes laboratory projects directly from Suntory’s master blenders. While many mistake Montilla for standard sherry, Montilla-Moriles is its own distinct Spanish DO located further inland from Jerez, focusing almost entirely on the incredibly high-sugar Pedro Ximénez (PX) grape. Matured for 9 years in Spanish oak casks seasoned with this unctuous wine and bottled at a robust 55% ABV, this dram is a massive, dark fruit powerhouse.

Released as part of the highly coveted Volume 2 collection from Suntory, this limited edition single malt explores the intense interaction between Yamazaki's fruit-forward distillate and heavy Spanish oak seasoned with Montilla wine.Because Montilla wines rely on sun-dried Pedro Ximénez grapes grown in a hotter, more inland climate, the cask wood brings an entirely different dimension of density, deep rancio, and unctuous sweetness compared to traditional maritime Jerez sherry maturation. It is non-chill filtered and presented at full cask proof.

Tasting Notes

Nose: Intensely pronounced, sweet, and highly atmospheric. It kicks off with dark, decadent waves of candied raisins, brown sugar, and rich maple syrup. As the high proof breathes, it reveals structural layers of toasted oak, warm gingerbread, and an earthy, almost smoldering baking spice complexity.

Palate: Thick, syrupy, and remarkably full-bodied. Deep dark fruits, thick molasses, and pancake syrup. The mid-palate swiftly transitions into a complex, woody frame, displaying a heavy hit of peppery oak spice, hot embers, and a rich, cigar-box leather structure.

Finish: Medium to long, showing a brilliantly dry contrast. The initial maple sweetness elegantly gives way to a drying wave of spicy oak tannins, dried fruit skins, and a distinctly sophisticated, slightly bitter-sour edge that keeps the dram beautifully balanced.

Why this bottle is special: 

The "Essence of Suntory" series represents the absolute cutting edge of Japanese whisky blending, with these specific bottles originally restricted almost entirely to select, high-end bars within Japan. It is furthermore special because of its uncompromising choice of wood. By bypassing standard sherry houses to procure Spanish oak casks seasoned with Montilla wine, Suntory’s blenders unlocked a completely unique flavor profile. The extreme sugar content of the inland PX grapes drives a deeply layered, unctuous sweetness into the grain of the Spanish oak, which then collides violently with Yamazaki's tropical distillate. The result is an eccentric, high-proof, 9-year-old fruit bomb that bridges the gap between ultra-aged bourbon structure and rich dessert-wine finishing—making it an irreplaceable artifact for any serious Japanese whisky connoisseur.