A Celebration of Whisky Cultures of the World, Grounded in the Shared Reverence for Nature and Craftsmanship
In partnership with Multnomah Whisk{e}y Library, on July 21st and 22nd, we will host a two-day celebration of whisky that brings luminaries from the world of whisky to Portland – including House of Suntory’s Chief Blender Shinji Fukuyo – to mark the opening of the incredibly rare Yamazaki 55.
Day one is a welcome reception, tour, and dinner at Portland Japanese Garden, and day two is the Yamazaki 55 bottle opening reception and dinner at Multnomah Whisk{e}y Library. Yamazaki 55 is an incredibly rare whisky distilled in the ’60s under famed Japanese distiller Shinjiro Torii. Only 100 bottles of Yamazaki 55 are in existence worldwide, some selling for over $800,000. This event marks one of the few times a bottle has been publicly opened in the U.S.
Details on the Two-Day Schedule
Day 1: Friday, July 21, 2023 (5:00-9:30pm) at Portland Japanese Garden
Location: Portland Japanese Garden at 611 SW Kingston Ave. Portland, OR 97205.
This evening includes:
- Welcome reception
- Guided tour of Portland Japanese Garden
- Lecture and tasting led by Shinji Fukuyo, Chief Blender of Suntory Yamazaki Distillery
- Four-course tasting menu by Marybeth Boller, chef and culinary diplomat who was the former Executive Chef and Events Planner of the US Embassy Residence in Japan under Ambassador Caroline Kennedy, with cocktail pairings by Jim Meehan, esteemed writer and James Beard Award-winning mixologist
- Fireside chat with Shinji Fukuyo and David Broom, award-winning international whisky writer
NOTE: Standalone tickets for just this evening to celebrate a century of Japanese whisky at Portland Japanese Garden are also available. Price is $500 for Portland Japanese Garden members and $600 for non-members.
Day 2: Saturday, July 22, 2023 (6:00-8:30pm) at Multnomah Whisk{e}y Library
Location: Multnomah Whisk{e}y Library at 1124 SW Alder St. Portland, OR 97205
This evening includes:
- Reception with passed appetizers and cocktails created by Multnomah Whisk{e}y Library’s Education Manager and Spirits Curator, Brett Adams
- Five-course dinner and discussion, with guided tastings led by Shinji Fukuyo
- Opening of Yamazaki 55
Ticket Information
- Tickets for the two-day celebration are $7,000 per person and include entrance to both evenings’ events.
- Ticket-holders also have the option to purchase a Companion Ticket to only the MWL dinner on July 22nd for $500 (Companion Ticket does not include a pour of the Yamazaki 55 or access to the first event on July 21st; Companion Ticket includes all other pours, cocktails, and dinner on July 22nd).
- Standalone tickets for just the first evening (July 21) at Portland Japanese Garden will be available in late May. Price is $500 to members and $600 to non-members.
Learn More
In June of 2020, Yamazaki released 100 bottles of the oldest Japanese whisky ever made – a 55-year old single malt distilled in 1960. Of those 100 bottles, 20 made it to the United States, a handful arrived on the West Coast, and one has been welcomed at the Multnomah Whisk{e}y Library.
When Multnomah Whisk{e}y Library Owner, Ed Hutson, learned about this bottle, and that one of the component whiskies was distilled under House of Suntory Founder Shinjiro Torii himself, Hutson knew that this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to bring a key chapter in whisky lore to Portland, Oregon. “It was an honor for the Library to be selected as one of the few international recipients of the Yamazaki 55,” said Hutson, “and it’s our honor to open the bottle right here in the Library with members and friends, and to partner with the Portland Japanese Garden to celebrate the occasion.”
This event grows out of a longtime friendship between Multnomah Whisk{e}y Library and Portland Japanese Garden, sparked by a reverence for nature and culture. Unlike other Yamazaki 55 openings in the U.S., event guests will have the opportunity to celebrate this symbol of outstanding craftsmanship and history within the context of two venerated institutions. The Multnomah Whisk{e} Library is honored by its continued partnership with Portland Japanese Garden, whose belief in the power of cultural exchange and in the excellence of craft has inspired peace and connection within the Portland community for 60 years.
This special event is hosted by Multnomah Whisk{e}y Library, Portland Japanese Garden, and guest of honor Suntory Yamazaki Distillery. In keeping with the House of Suntory’s long-standing philanthropic spirit, Multnomah Whisk{e}y Library will donate a portion of the event proceeds to Portland Japanese Garden.
