Yamazakura is a Japanese whisky brand produced by Sasanokawa Shuzo Co., Ltd., a distinguished spirits producer with roots stretching back to 1765. Originally founded as a sake and shochu producer, the company expanded its portfolio to include whisky in 1946, when it was introduced by Tetsuzo Yamaguchi. The name Yamazakura combines 'Yama', meaning mountain, and 'Sakura', the iconic Japanese cherry blossom, reflecting the brand's deep connection to Japanese culture and nature. The whisky is produced at the Asaka Distillery, located in the Honshu region of Japan, which was specially refurbished for whisky distillation in 2016. Yamazakura is considered a ji-whisky — a craft or artisanal Japanese whisky — and focuses on high-quality, flavorful malt whisky expressions. The portfolio includes blended whiskies, pure malt releases, and single malts, as well as more experimental expressions such as a peated whisky and a Merlot wine cask finish. The peated expression features malt whisky from the Asaka Distillery complemented by grain, peated, and unpeated components in a world blend style. With centuries of brewing heritage behind it, Sasanokawa Shuzo brings a refined craftsmanship to its whisky production. Yamazakura has earned recognition among enthusiasts seeking authentic Japanese whisky outside the mainstream, offering a compelling range that balances tradition with innovation.