Glenfiddich Grand Yozakura: Rare Single Malt Scotch

East meets west in this first-of-its-kind single malt finished in Japanese awamori casks.

Glenfiddich is a name synonymous with prized single malt. Today that lineup expands to include something we’ve never seen before: Grand Yozakura, the first-ever single malt finished in rare awamori casks.

Since the late 1960s, this storied Speyside brand has helped spearhead the global popularity of single malts. Up until that time, most Scotch drinkers only really knew of blends. Nevertheless, Glenfiddich isn’t a distillery that’s keen to rest on its laurels. 

Quite the contrary: Throughout the 21st century, Glenfiddich has been pushing the envelope on innovation, which is most prominently showcased in its ultra-premium Grand Series, a lineup devoted to experimental cask finishing. 

Related: The Best Bottles of Japanese Whisky to Get Your Hands On

What's Special About Glenfiddich Grand Yozakura 

Glenfiddich Grand Yozakura will retail for $2,000 a bottle. It consists of 29-year-old Scotch (at a precise proof of 90.2), which was re-racked for a six-month stint in oak casks previously used to mature the oldest style of distilled spirit in all of Japan. And there’s a good reason we’ve never seen this sort of finishing before. 

Awamori is a 500-year-old Japanese rice spirit that's traditionally stored in clay pots known as kame. The liquid can spend several years in these vessels, developing a complexity of aromas, textures, and tastes.

The introduction of oak to the Okinawa region responsible for awamori is a relatively recent occurrence—one that emerged with the rising modern popularity of Japanese whisky. But even today, precious few producers are working with wood there. 

“When the chance arose to acquire rare casks from there, we saw an opportunity to push the boundaries,” says Brian Kinsman, Glenfiddich’s malt master. “We always learn something new when we lead with innovation.”

What was learned here was that the richness of these rice-imbued casks is best perceived alongside an older spirit. “We trialed a very small number of casks at a younger age,” Kinsman admits, but ultimately the effects of the cooperage were considerably more robust when applied to a nearly three-decade-old malt. Indeed, there's a silkiness to its mouthfeel that carries prolonged accounts of marzipan and herbal tea.

Whether or not it wears flavors of the Far East is up for debate. But it’s impossible to refute how the aesthetic is woven throughout its packaging. The bottle’s stopper features a Hanko stamp engraving, wrapped in a fabric capsule wearing a traditional poem on sakura (cherry blossom). 

It sits in a box showcasing an illustration of the distillery by Japanese artist June. The very timing of the release is intended to align with the height of Japan’s annual cherry blossom bloom. 

For good reason: Yozakura refers to the act of viewing the spectacle at night. It’s a fleeting phenomenon that lasts no more than two weeks. Hopefully you can find a way to make your $2,000 bottle of Glenfiddich last a bit longer.