【Extremely Rare】1984 Yamazaki 3rd Edition Gold Lion Label Pure Malt Whisky

The Yamazaki Gold Lion series debuted in 1984, marking the rise of Japanese single malt whisky. Initially, it had a simple label and a 760ml volume. The first Gold Lion 12-Year-Old came in wooden packaging and improved quality, later changing to 750ml with a gold border in the 1990s. Known for its delicate oak aromas, this whisky is highly praised by experts and is now rare and collectible.

• Origin: Japan

• Volume: 760ml

• ABV: 43%

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The Yamazaki Gold Lion series debuted in 1984 with a no-age-statement (NAS) version, marking the rise of Japan's single malt whisky. This was the realization of Keizo Saji's dream to create a world-class Japanese whisky, a vision 30 years in the making.

During the 1980s, Japanese whisky typically came in 760ml bottles, and the original Yamazaki featured a minimalist white label without a gold frame, reflecting the elegant simplicity of the era. Later, the first edition of the 12-year-old Gold Lion Yamazaki was released, housed in a wooden box and with a handcrafted paper label. While still 760ml and without a gold frame, the refined packaging set it apart from the NAS version.

In the 1990s, the Yamazaki 12 underwent its first redesign, reducing the bottle size to 750ml and adding a double gold-lined label for a more premium look. The second version dropped the hang tag, replacing it with a gold-embossed label on the upper left of the wooden box, enhancing its luxurious appeal.

As one of Japan's most iconic single malts, the Yamazaki Gold Lion exudes delicate aromas from Mizunara oak, evoking the serene atmosphere of Japanese shrines. Its floral and fruity notes blend harmoniously, delivering a smooth and complex palate that lingers.

Widely praised by whisky connoisseurs worldwide, the Gold Lion label was eventually replaced by the Gold Flower label, but remains a testament to Yamazaki's rise in global recognition. Today, this edition is exceedingly rare, making it a prized collectible.