Yamazaki 18 Year Single Malt is easily one of the world’s most sought-after whiskies. It’s the tropical, velvety-smooth cousin of Suntory’s more herbal, peaty, and crisp Hakushu. It’s an instant status symbol, and we all want more.

This post will teach you how and where to find Yamazaki 18 for the best price. I’ve also found nine retailers where you can still find this increasingly rare single malt.

Yamazaki 18 Price and Buyer’s Tips

The days of easy access and modest pricing are over for Yamazaki 18. High demand for Suntory (サントリー) and other Japanese whiskies has put a dent in supply and raised prices.

My early 2023 take on Yamazaki 18 retail pricing:

• Outstanding Retail Price: $1000 or less
• Median Price: $1200-$1400
• Overpriced: $1800 or more

Online and Local Retail Shops

Bottles of Yamazaki 18 can be found for around $1000 on occasion. But there are many online merchants and shop owners that are gouging. So it pays to be patient and to shop around.

Regular liquor store pricing can be all over the place.

That’s no different in Japan, where demand is also sky-high. Still, you can expect to save 10%-25% if you buy this whisky in Japan.

Costco is a good place to look for Yamazaki 18. They occasionally have bottles and at reasonable prices. Many states outlaw membership requirements for alcohol purchases, which means you can shop at Costco for Yamazaki whiskey in those states.

Total Wine, Binny’s, and Bevmo are other large retailers where Yamazaki 18 Year can be found.

If your quest for reasonably priced Yamazaki 18 is challenging, consider Yamazaki 12 instead. It’s equally famous, but pricing is more reasonable.

Love Yamazaki whisky? Check out my Yamazaki 12 review.

Shop Online Retailers of Yamazaki 18

We saved our top recommendation for last. Online retailers can be a great option for Yamazaki 18 shopping. As usual, do your homework. This whisky has a large range of price tags. It really pays to shop around and to be patient.

If you want your own bottle of Yamazaki, check out the online retailers below. As an affiliate for these vendors, we earn a portion of the sale price.

Other Online Retailers of Yamazaki 18

If you can find a bottle through the above retailers, there are a couple more options. The Whisky Exchange offers fair prices and a huge selection. They’re particularly useful if you live in the UK or the EU.

Dekanta is my final recommendation. They tend to have higher prices than the competition though, so I only recommend them if you’re desperate.

What’s your favorite source for Japanese whisky? Without blowing up your secret spot, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Leave a comment at the bottom of this post.

Tracking Down Yamazaki 18 in Bars and Restaurants

Finding Yamazaki 18 for a good price at bars and Japanese restaurants is easier than retail. It’s still important to be wary of price gouging, however. Prices for 1.5 oz pours can be found for below $60. This is especially true with restaurants and bars struggling so much under Covid restrictions.

Non-Japanese bars with huge whisky selections will often carry Yamazaki. Their prices can be competitive, so keep them in mind too.

Finally, the best place to enjoy Yamazaki 18 is at the distillery tasting room in Osaka. If you’re in Kyoto or Osaka, this is a must-stop. The prices there are very low and the service is fantastic.

Collecting Yamazaki 18

Are you a Japanese whisky collector? The difference in price between wholesale and retail are significant due to an imbalance of supply vs. demand. This fuels a collectors market for Yamazaki 18.

However, it’s still being produced. Unless Suntory decides to pull the plug on this 18 year aged single malt, its value should remain high but stable. Limited-edition Yamazaki releases are better suited for the collector market overall.

Eventually, Suntory and Yamazaki will be able to meet more of the demand for their whisky. This may take a decade or two. But before that time, it’s conceivable that the Japanese whisky craze will have subsided somewhat.

It’s certainly probable that the supply side of the market will be more robust. This trend may or may not affect high-end Japanese whiskies like Yamazaki 18. In my opinion, I think prices are starting to peak and may flatten for some time.

Drinking Yamazaki Whisky at the Distillery and Museum

If you visit Kyoto or Osaka, the Yamazaki Distillery (山崎蒸溜所) is a required stop.

Admission to the Yamazaki whisky museum and tasting room is free.

You can taste many different Suntory whiskies like Hakushu, Hibiki, and cask samples that are used for blending some of these famous brands. The prices are low. Premium Suntory whiskies like Hakushu 25, Hibiki 30, and Yamazaki 25 are available for around $30 (per 0.5 oz. pour) each. That’s an amazing deal!

The Yamazaki whisky library has many bottles that will make you drool. If you want to do the Yamazaki distillery tour, you’ll need to plan well in advance. Spots are very hard to get.

Here’s the Suntory post where you can sign up to visit the museum and library*. Tours are available on this link, as well. Again, they’re very hard to get.

While in the town of Yamazaki, please check out the 100 famous water: Rikyu no Mizu (離宮の水). It’s a twenty-minute stroll from the distillery. The water tastes amazing and the shrine is a truly special place.

*The Yamazaki Distillery is temporarily closed to the public during the Covid pandemic.

Reviewing Yamazaki 18 Tasting Notes

Yamazaki 18 features a sweet-ish profile with notes of vanilla, sandalwood, honeysuckle, Sherry finishing, caramel, raisin, and apricot. 

Diving deeper into the glass you’ll find a very fruity Japanese single malt— dried and fresh berries, and oxidative orchard fruit. This again points to the Sherry cask influence of the Yamazaki 18. There is a toasty quality in the background. There’s also a nice blend of spices from cinnamon to ginger.

Yamazaki 18 shows hints of smoke, but not to the level of a typical Highland Scotch. Hints of Mizunara Japanese white oak aging are also displayed. This includes the previously mentioned sandalwood notes, plus honey, kyara (aloeswood incense), and coconut.

Did I miss anything? Share your tasting notes or opinions at the bottom of this post.

Yamazaki 18YR Food Pairing

Yamazaki 18 Year is delicious when consumed on its own, after dinner, or alongside rich desserts. This works particularly well with chocolate-based desserts.

Super fatty and caramelized entrees can also be a great pairing with Yamazaki 18. Beef or pork BBQ ribs are a must-try. And pairing this single malt with grilled steak can be epic. You get bonus points if the steak is wagyu! 

Do you have a favorite Yamazaki food pairing? Share it with everyone by commenting at the bottom of this post.

How to Drink Yamazaki 18

Yamazaki whisky is best served either neat, with a splash of water, or with a few ice cubes. A little water or ice can bring down the heat enough to match heavier dishes, though. Larger and/or extra cold cubes will chill the whisky without as much dilution as standard ice.

A snifter or dedicated single malt glass will provide an ideal tasting experience. Most glasses with a little extra capacity and an inwardly curved lip will suffice, however. Avoid shot glasses when possible.

My favorite glass for Yamazaki 18 is the Riedel Vinum Whisky Glass, which is pictured below. Glencairn Crystal Whiskey Glasses are also outstanding if you want to get the most out of your Yamazaki. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases through these links.

Yamazaki Technical & Production Information

Yamazaki 18 Year Aged Single Malt ( シングルモルト) Whisky

Ingredient: 100% malted barley    ABV: 43%

Still: Copper pot still 

Barrel: approximately 80% sherry cask, plus Mizunara and American oak

Color added 

Check out the official Yamazaki 18YR Page from Suntory

*As an affiliate advertiser for Etsy, I earn commissions on qualifying purchases.

The Yamazaki Distillery

Distillery: Yamazaki Distillery 山崎蒸溜所   Producer: Suntory

Location: Shimamoto, Osaka (大阪)  EST: 1923  Yamazaki Official: Japanese  English

The Yamazaki Distillery was Japan’s first whisky distillery, and is still the most famous. It was founded by Shinjiro Torii with the help of Masataka Taketsuru.

Yamazaki whiskies are probably the most sought-after of the Japanese whisky category. They use very soft water, plus the humid and warm local climate, to make their own unique style. The distillery currently makes a variety of single malt whiskies– all of which come highly recommended.

Check out our Yamazaki and Suntory guide!

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Is Yamazaki 18 Overrated?

I prefer to be relatively impartial with my content. But I’m curious about your opinions on Yamazaki 18. It is beloved for a reason, though prices have gotten a little out of hand.