Yamazakura Whisky

Yamazakura is a relatively new brand in the portfolio of Japanese drinks company Sasanokawa Shuzo, whose sake and shochu making dates back all the way to 1765. It wasn’t until almost 200 years later that the decision to enter the whisky making market was made, in 1946, by the 8th company head, Tetsuzo Yamaguchi. Sasanokawa Shuzo chose the name Yamazakura because it is a combination of two important Japanese symbols in culture and society: Yama is the Japanese term for mountain, signifying the strength and poise of the spirit, while Sakura refers to cherry-trees, to relate the ephemeral beauty of the stunning blossom to the quality and sophistication of the whisky. Yamazakura was essentially intended to serve as Sasanokawa Shuzo’s high-end brand, to complement the decidedly more common whiskies distilled purposefully for mixing. While examples are not often exported out of Japan, at MoM towers we have a couple of editions that are worth your time and consideration, such as Yamazakura Blended Whisky and 963 Malt & Grain.