Yamazaki whiskey is likely to rise in price in 2024. Price trends in 2012, 2018 and 2025

In recent years, the soaring prices of Japanese whiskey have become a hot topic. In particular, Suntory's Yamazaki has been priced at several times its retail price.
This time, we will explain about Yamazaki whiskey, which is attracting attention at auctions and other events. We will also explain the reasons for the price hike and price trends, so please take a look.

The rising prices are a hot topic! What is Yamazaki whiskey?

Suntory's proud single malt Yamazaki

"Yamazaki" is a whiskey brand. It is made by Suntory, a hugely popular domestic whiskey manufacturer, and is one of the top luxury products among Suntory's whiskeys .
Yamazaki is a so-called single malt whisky made at a single distillery, and has a special character not found in other brands of whisky. It is made at the Suntory Yamazaki Distillery in Osaka Prefecture, which is also the first whisky distillery built in Japan . The land of Yamazaki, chosen by Suntory's founder, Torii Shinjiro, has a climate and soil that are considered "suitable for whisky making," and is also blessed with delicious water. Born in such a wonderful environment, Yamazaki whisky is an unavoidable presence when talking about Japanese single malts .

About the taste and characteristics of Yamazaki

Yamazaki single malt has a deep, sweet and rich flavor . Although it has a strong flavor, it is also characterized by its mild and mellow texture, making it easy to drink.
At the Yamazaki Distillery, a wide variety of malt whiskeys are made at the malt whiskey production stage. Two types of fermentation tanks are used, and multiple distillery kilns are used to produce whiskeys with different flavors. A variety of barrels are also used for aging, and Yamazaki whiskey in particular uses malt whiskeys aged in Mizunara barrels . The unique oriental aroma that can only be produced in Mizunara barrels is what gives Yamazaki its distinctive character, which is unique to Japanese whiskey.
The resulting raw liquor is then vatted by master blenders to find the perfect balance. By carefully assessing the condition of the raw liquor before blending, the result is a whiskey with a mellow and beautiful aroma.

Three reasons why single malt Yamazaki is soaring in price

Although the single malt Yamazaki is positioned as a high-end product among Suntory's whiskies, when it was first released, the bottles could be purchased for a few thousand yen . However, now, the prices have soared to the point where even non-aged bottles are priced at over 10,000 yen. Aged bottles such as 12-year and 18-year old whiskies are priced at several times the regular price, and their prices continue to rise day by day.
There is a clear reason why Yamazaki has risen in price to this extent. From here, we will explain why Yamazaki has risen in price.

1. Japanese whisky is becoming more popular around the world

The biggest reason for the price increase of Yamazaki is that Japanese whiskey has become popular on a global scale. The demand has increased not only domestically but also from overseas, so the value has skyrocketed .
Originally, Japanese whisky had a weaker presence than Scotch and American whisky before 2000. However, after the turn of the millennium, whisky began to gain recognition for its elegant and well-balanced flavor. Yamazaki whisky was a prime example of this, and in 2003, Yamazaki 12 Year Old won Japan's first gold medal at the ISC (International Spirits Challenge) . From this point on, Japanese whisky, especially single malt Yamazaki, gradually began to gain popularity.
Furthermore, the popularity of whiskey increased further in Japan as a result of the highball boom . Whisky, which had previously been seen as something for connoisseurs and older men, began to spread among the younger generation and casual alcohol fans. Yamazaki, a luxury product, became a popular gift item for end-of-year and mid-year gifts, and after 2010, it exploded in popularity and established a solid position .

2. A lack of raw liquor has led to continued shortages

Yamazaki has become extremely popular, with demand far exceeding the supply that had been available up until that point. As a result, since 2018, there have been reports of shortages and discontinuations of the product due to a lack of raw liquor .
Whisky requires aging during the manufacturing process. Therefore, even if it sells well, it is not possible to immediately increase the supply. Yamazaki whiskey became scarce and was no longer easy to purchase, so the market price rose rapidly.
This situation continues to this day, with bottles of long-aged whiskeys fetching ridiculous prices of hundreds of thousands or even millions of yen . All Japanese whiskeys are becoming increasingly expensive, but Yamazaki in particular has seen a large increase in price, so caution is advised.

3. Purchasing purposes such as investment, resale, and collections are on the rise

With the price of Japanese whiskey soaring, more and more people are buying it not just to drink but also for investment and resale . Also, because whiskey can be stored for a long time, many people are buying it not to drink it now but to add it to their collection .
The sheer increase in the number of buyers has also led to higher prices for Yamazaki.

7 Yamazaki whiskeys likely to rise in price and their price trends

Yamazaki 25 years

Yamazaki 25-year online price trend
2012	Approximately 105,000 yen
2015	Approximately 360,000 yen
2018	Approximately 780,000 yen
2020	Approximately 820,000 yen
2021	Approximately 1,450,000 yen
2022	Approximately 1,850,000 yen
End of 2023 forecast	Approximately 2,000,000 yen

Yamazaki 25 Year Old is extremely rare among Yamazaki whiskeys, with only about 1,200 bottles produced per year. It is made using only malt aged 25 years or more, and is the highest grade of the standard lineup.
Yamazaki 25 Year Old was sold at list price until the early 2010s, but the price suddenly started to rise around 2015. In the 2020s, the price exceeded 1 million yen, and it seems that it will soon reach 2 million yen .
The list price is 176,000 yen (tax included) , which is more than 10 times the list price. Please note that the list price itself has increased by 28% from the previous price as of April 2022 .

Yamazaki 18 years

Yamazaki 2018 online price trends
2012	Approximately 19,000 yen
2015	Approximately 39,000 yen
2018	Approximately 95,000 yen
2020	Approximately 90,000 yen
2021	Approximately 125,000 yen
2022	Approximately 145,000 yen
End of 2023 forecast	Approximately 150,000 yen

Yamazaki 18 Year is a high-end bottle with a list price of 35,200 yen (tax included) . Although it was sold at a low price until around 2012, the price has also risen as whiskey has become more popular.
Unlike limited edition bottles, Yamazaki 18 Year Old is a standard lineup bottle that is sold year-round. However, it is still difficult to purchase normally, and only those lucky enough to win a lottery can purchase it at the regular price .
It is currently trading at a price of over 100,000 yen. Considering the recent rise in prices, it is thought that the price will rise further in 2023.

Yamazaki 12 years

Yamazaki 12-year online price trend
2012	Approximately 6,000 yen
2015	Approximately 14,000 yen
2018	Approximately 27,000 yen
2020	Approximately 20,000 yen
2021	Approximately 24,000 yen
2022	Approximately 27,000 yen
End of 2023 forecast	Approximately 30,000 yen

As mentioned above, Yamazaki 12 Year is the bottle that made Yamazaki popular worldwide. It is a whiskey unique to Japan that contains sherry casks, and is known for its oriental aroma and deep, moderately sweet taste.
The list price of Yamazaki 12 Year Old is 11,000 yen (tax included) as of 2023. Currently, it is being traded at a price slightly more than twice the list price.

Yamazaki Limited Edition 2021

Yamazaki Limited Edition 2021 online price trend
2021	Approximately 60,000 yen
2022	Approximately 90,000 yen
End of 2023 forecast	Approximately 50,000 yen

Yamazaki Limited Edition 2021 is a limited edition bottle of Yamazaki released in 2021. It was released with the theme of Yamazaki being suitable for gifts, and the label design is different from the regular bottle.
The contents are made from carefully selected Mizunara new barrel malt aged over 12 years , and although it is a non-aged product, it has a deep, beautiful aroma and balance. The list price was 8,800 yen (tax included) , but since it is a limited edition product, it is priced at 40,000 to 50,000 yen.
The price of the Yamazaki Limited Edition 2021 seems to fluctuate depending on the time of year. In 2022, it exceeded 90,000 yen, but as of 2023, it seems to have settled at just under 50,000 yen.
However, since it is a limited edition product for 2021, it is likely that the price will rise again as time goes on. It would be a shame to let it go now, so if you are not planning to drink it right away, we recommend that you store it carefully.

Yamazaki Limited Edition 2022

Yamazaki Limited Edition 2022 online price trend
2022	Approximately 31,000 yen
End of 2023 forecast	Approximately 35,000 yen

Yamazaki Limited Edition 2022 is a limited edition Yamazaki for gifts that was released in 2021. The concept is the same as in 2021, but the release date and label design are different from the 2021 version.
The list price has also increased since 2021, rising to 11,000 yen (tax included) per bottle. However, it remains popular and is currently being traded at around 30,000 yen per bottle.
Some retailers still have some stock of the Yamazaki Limited Edition 2022, and although it is not on sale in stores, it is possible to purchase it at the regular price by taking part in a lottery sale. It is expected that the price will rise higher than before when the stock runs out , so if you are interested in purchasing it, now is your chance.

Yamazaki 50 years

Yamazaki 50 Year Old is an extremely rare Yamazaki bottle that was released in 2011 with a limited edition of 150 bottles . It is made using only rare raw liquor over 50 years old, and is characterized by an aroma reminiscent of aloeswood, a type of fragrant wood aged in Mizunara casks. As it is a special bottle, the bottle is also made of crystal, which shows that it has been carefully crafted.
The original price at the time of release was 1 million yen, but at auctions around the world, it has been priced at over 50 million yen. Prices are still rising, and it is predicted that the price will reach 60 to 70 million yen in the future.

Miraculously, the tour of the Yamazaki Whisky Museum was open, so I went.

Hakushu, Yamazaki, Hibiki...
It was a really valuable time as I got to see a lot of things.

The tour is basically free, so I recommend it 👍

Is the purchase price for a 50 year old Yamazaki 50 million yen?
The fearsome Japanese whiskey 🍷 pic.twitter.com/JSvyCXXuaE

— TCG collector (@K01081013F) January 31, 2023

Yamazaki NV

Yamazaki NV online price trend
2012	Approximately 3,000 yen
2015	Approximately 4,000 yen
2018	Approximately 7,500 yen
2020	Approximately 9,000 yen
2021	Approximately 11,000 yen
2022	Approximately 13,000 yen
End of 2023 forecast	Approximately 15,000 yen

Not only vintage Yamazaki, but even the standard non-vintage bottles are becoming more and more expensive. The list price of Yamazaki NV is 4,950 yen (tax included) , but if you try to buy it online, it will cost more than 10,000 yen per bottle.
Regular priced bottles can be found periodically through lottery sales, so be sure to give them a try.

How can I get Yamazaki whiskey at the regular price/cheaply?

Lottery sales at department stores and liquor stores are the best options

Although the price of Yamazaki whiskey continues to rise, it is not impossible to buy it at the regular price. In particular, you can get year-round bottles such as "Yamazaki NV" and "Yamazaki 12 Year" if you are lucky, so be sure to check it out.
Year-round bottles are regularly added to the lineup for lottery sales . Famous department stores and major liquor stores often hold lottery sales, so be sure to check the schedule. Some stores may have rules for purchases and lottery applications, such as only accepting card members.

Apply for the limited edition bottle lottery on the official website

Among Yamazaki's products, there are some bottles that are released in limited quantities. These bottles can be won by lottery entry on the official website at the time of release, so be sure to try your luck.
Suntory posts news about whisky sales on its official website . In most cases, you can apply directly from the special page on the official website, so be sure to add it to your favorites and check it frequently.

If you're lucky, you might be able to get one in a whiskey lucky bag.

Yamazaki whiskey is often the featured product in "whisky lucky bags." You'll need some luck to buy one, but if you want to get a good deal on Yamazaki whiskey, be sure to check it out.
The contents of the whiskey lucky bag are random, so it's a great opportunity to discover whiskeys other than Yamazaki. It's recommended for those who want to try a variety of whiskeys.

If you want to sell Yamazaki whiskey at a high price, we recommend buying alcohol.

What is a liquor purchase specialty store?

A liquor purchase specialty store is a store that specializes in buying alcohol. Yamazaki whiskey, which is rising in price, can be traded at a high price at a purchase specialty store, just like brand bags and kimonos .
If you sell it to a regular recycle shop, you may end up losing money because the value of Yamazaki will not be properly understood. However , a store that specializes in buying alcohol has professional appraisers on staff, so you can sell high-end alcohol like Yamazaki at a price that is appropriate to the market price .

Is it okay to sell Yamazaki on Mercari?

In conclusion, it is possible to trade Yamazaki on Mercari . However, please note that it is a purely personal transaction. Be aware that a sales license may be required to sell alcohol.
Also, with Mercari, you have to decide the price yourself and negotiate, so be careful. If you don't determine the condition and market value of the alcohol before setting the price, it could cause trouble. Also, alcohol bottles are fragile, so you need to be careful when packing them.
If you are not confident in your knowledge of alcohol or want to turn it into cash as quickly as possible, we recommend that you safely trade at a specialty alcohol store. At a specialty alcohol store, even those who are not familiar with alcohol can sell Yamazaki smoothly.

Liquor purchase specialist store Linksus has no costs for customers

Liquor purchase specialty store Linksus is a liquor purchase store that purchases alcohol on a nationwide scale. They are familiar with all types of alcohol, and are particularly strong in purchasing high-end whiskeys such as Yamazaki. If you are considering purchasing Yamazaki, be sure to use their services.
Linkus' alcohol purchase service is available at no cost to the customer. In addition to in-store purchases, we also offer mail-order and on-site purchase services.
Buy whiskey here

summary

The price of Yamazaki whiskey is soaring, not only for aged bottles but also for non-aged bottles. Considering the current environment surrounding whiskey, it is expected that prices will continue to rise in the future.
Limited edition bottles and bottles that have been aged for a long time are especially valued. Take this opportunity to check out the rare Yamazaki whiskeys.