In part two of this three-part series, we’re revisiting classic bottles from days of yore that are, surprisingly, compliant with the newly announced JSMLA standard for Japanese whisky. Importantly, they are also affordable and easy to find in Japan. Our second stop: Suntory Special Reserve, a blended whisky born in 1969.
In part one of this series, we drank Suntory Royal, the company’s highest-grade blended whisky prior to the release of Hibiki.
A slight notch down from Suntory Royal is Suntory Special Reserve, another blended whisky. This one was born in 1969 to celebrate the company’s 70th anniversary, being blended by second-generation company president Keizo Saji.
The timing of the release is important. Nikka’s first Coffey Still went online at their Nishinomiya facility in 1963, enabling them to release the blended Hi Nikka in 1964. The second generation Black Nikka was also released in 1965. Both were successful for Nikka, so Suntory needed to respond.
The late 60s and early 70s were pivotal for Japanese whisky for several other reasons too:
- The 1970 World’s Fair, the first ever held in Japan, was right in Suntory’s hometown of Osaka. The company needed a bottle that could appeal to international visitors.
- More foreign whiskies were reaching Japanese shores in the early 70s, meaning Suntory also had to compete with them in their home market.
- These years also saw the birth of distilleries that would help define Japanese whisky for the next several decades: Nikka’s Miyagikyo in 1969, Kirin/Seagram/Chivas Fuji Gotemba in 1972, SunGrain Chita in 1972, Suntory Hakushu in 1973.
Special Reserve helped the company shore up their reputation. Like Royal, its formula has evolved over the years, age statements have come and gone, and several limited editions have been produced. Secondary markets are loaded with such bottles, and compared to prices for other Japanese whiskies, they’re relatively affordable.
These days, the company says the key malt of Suntory Special Reserve is Hakushu aged in white oak casks. There’s Yamazaki in there too, of course. Let’s see what we have.
Review: Suntory Special Reserve
Nose: Dried fruits, specifically prunes, dates, apricot, and berries. Lots more sherry going on here than with Royal. There’s a hint of orange as well. Thicc and aromatic, it’s actually quite nice. There’s Yamazaki here too.
Palate: The nose was a bit better, but the orange sticks around and is joined by white pepper and some bitter chocolate. Sugary and oaky too, with excellent overall balance. There’s not too much of anything here. Light and easy sipping.
Finish: Medium-length, lasting fruits, and a bit of oak bitterness.
Score: B+
Price paid: 2487 yen, 700ml, 40% abv
This is one of only two bonafide Japanese whiskies that clocks in at under 2500 yen. It’s not super duper complex, leaning heavily on those oak notes. And I could use a few more abv points. But overall it’s a good blend and at the right price.
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Mate, by as many of the 10 and 12 year olds you can find of this and as many of the Suntory Royal 15 you can find!
The 10 is going for around 5000 yen these days. Probably worth a review of that one too!
The first bottles of this released in 1969 state ‘distilled at Yamazaki’ distillery on the front label, this was later replaced by distilled at ‘our distilleries’ for the next bottles a year or two later. Does this suggest that it was a single malt from Yamazaki in 1969 and then changed into a blend of Hakushu and Yamazaki or others? I haven’t had the pleasure to try some of the early bottles yet but it would be interesting to compare. As Brian said there’s meant to be some really good versions of this around but prices are climbing now the cats out of the bag!