The Yamazaki 25 Years Old has received the Japanese Whisky Trophy at the 2026 International Spirits Challenge (ISC), marking another major achievement for one of Japan's most celebrated single malts.

The award continues an incredible run for The House of Suntory. Yamazaki 25 took the trophy in 2023, followed by Yamazaki 12 in 2024 and Yamazaki 18 in 2025. With this latest win, the distillery has secured the category's highest honour for four consecutive years. Suntory Spirits was also named Japanese Whisky Producer of the Year for the seventh year running.

"Seeing Yamazaki 25 Years Old receive this prestigious recognition today is profoundly meaningful for our entire team. It affirms the continuity of our craftsmanship across generations and our unwavering commitment to creating whiskies that honor Yamazaki’s legacy while continuing to evolve."

- Shinji Fukuyo, Chief Blender, Suntory

First released in 1999, Yamazaki 25 Years Old represents decades of experience at Japan's first malt whisky distillery, which was founded by Shinjiro Torii in 1923.

The expression was reworked in 2021 to place greater emphasis on Suntory's approach to whisky-making, bringing together a diverse range of spirits and blending techniques developed over generations. The result is a single malt built around depth, texture and complexity, with extended maturation contributing to its distinctive character.

The whisky opens with incense notes associated with Japanese Mizunara oak, accompanied by mature persimmon and ume plum. On the palate, sandalwood develops alongside sweet fruit, tart plum and warming ginger spice. A long finish brings lingering smokiness and subtle sweetness from the wood.

This combination of fruit, spice and fragrant oak was central to the judges' praise, with the ISC panel highlighting the whisky's texture, layered flavours and balance.

Yamazaki 25's latest victory reinforces the standing of both the expression and the wider distillery. While each of the past four trophies has recognised a different point in the Yamazaki range, the consistent success demonstrates the front to back quality of every single release. From the 12-year-old through to the 25-year-old.