Suntory Special Reserve Book Glass Decanter
66cl / 43%
£139.00
- Malt type: Blended
- Region: Japan
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A 66cl, 43% Suntory Special Reserve blended whisky presented in the distinctive book-shaped decanter for the domestic and export gift market.
At-a-Glance
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Producer / Country & Region | Suntory Ltd, Japan |
| Category | Blended Japanese whisky in collectable decanter |
| Age / Vintage / Bottled | NAS, bottling era late 1970s to 1990s, exact year not stated by the producer |
| ABV & Size(s) | 43% ABV, 66cl (660ml); other book decanters at 700ml and 760ml known |
| Cask / Treatment | Not stated by the producer |
| Natural Colour | Not stated by the producer |
| Non-Chill-Filtered | Not stated by the producer |
| Cask Strength | No |
| Bottle count / Outturn | Not stated by the producer; decanter issue |
| Intended channel | Domestic Japanese gifting and later international collectables/auction trade |
| Packaging | Ceramic or glass book-form decanter with removable top, sometimes boxed |
| Notes on discrepancies | Market shows wide pricing, from £47.50 auction hammer in 2022 up to £219.99 on UK retail; volume and even material vary slightly, so always quote size and ABV. |
Historical Context
Suntory has released numerous shaped decanters for the home and gift markets since the 1960s. The Special Reserve line was the company’s premium blended whisky above the standard Kakubin/Old level, so it was a natural candidate for decorative containers. The book decanter plays into the brand’s habit of producing eye-catching, limited-format packages that could sit on a shelf indefinitely and still express the company’s prestige, even if the liquid was NAS. Because Japanese whisky of this era was not yet as globally collectible, these decanters circulated at modest prices, which explains why today’s auction hammers can still be under £60 even as specialist retailers ask above £200 for very clean examples.
Technical Specification & Variant Map
2.1 Documented variants
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Special Reserve Book Decanter, 66cl, 43%, ceramic or glass, with Suntory branding, UK and EU auctions 2022-2025.
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Special Reserve Book Decanter sets of 3 x 66cl.
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Very similar Suntory Old Whisky book decanters at 66cl, 43% - these must not be confused with Special Reserve.
Variant Matrix
| ABV | Volume | Market | Era cues | Relative desirability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 43% | 66cl | UK/EU auction 2022-2025 | Label states Special Reserve, book form | Core |
| 43% | 66cl | UK specialist retail | Same bottle, better condition, boxed | Higher because of condition |
| 43% | 70cl/700ml | EU auction 2025 | Larger stated volume | Condition-led |
| 43% | 760ml | General Special Reserve decanter, not always book | Parallel, not this exact format |
2.2 Packaging & authenticity checklist
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Check the spine and front panel for the words Suntory Special Reserve and the 43% statement.
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Confirm the moulded book shape and that the top opens cleanly; plastic tops can degrade.
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Inspect for crazing, chips and repaired corners; these are common and lower value.
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If a box is present, photograph it; older boxes often show rubbing.
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Because some retailers list 66cl glass and others ceramic, state material in your catalogue line.
2.3 Regulatory/terminology notes
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Japanese blended whisky; no age statement.
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Do not describe this as single malt or pure malt.
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Volume is non-standard (66cl); make this explicit for UK buyers.
Liquid Profile
Nose: Light, sweet grain whisky, vanilla fudge, gentle oak, faint floral note.
Palate: Easy-drinking 43%, rounded, caramel, toffee and light citrus.
Finish: Short to medium, sweet, clean.
With water: Not required.
Pricing & Market Dynamics (GBP)
Original RRP (GBP): Not stated by the producer.
Current UK retail range (GBP, incl. VAT): £150.00 to £219.99 for intact 66cl 43% examples.
Recent UK/EU auction range (GBP, hammer): £47.50, £55.00 and £60.00 hammer in 2022; €96 hammer in 2025 EU sale, equivalent c. £82-£85.
Pricing stratification: perfect glaze and stopper with box at retail band; auction bottles without box cluster around £50-£85; retailer outliers at £999.99 are non-representative and should be ignored for regular pricing.
Liquidity & sourcing note: Moderate but steady; collectors of Japanese decanters will pick up good-condition pieces.
Price Snapshot
| Channel | Date/era | Bottle spec | Price (GBP) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK specialist retail | 2025 | 66cl, 43%, Special Reserve, book, boxed | 219.99 | Current top-end list |
| UK specialist retail | 2025 | 66cl, 43%, book, no box | 150.00 | Milroys equivalent |
| UK auction | 2022-2025 | 66cl, 43%, book | 47.50-85.00 | Condition-led, lower band |
| EU auction | Sep 2025 | 700ml, 43% | c. 82-85 | Converted from €96 |
Distillery/Bottler Snapshot
Suntory is Japan’s oldest major whisky house, operating Yamazaki and Hakushu and blending from company stocks. Special Reserve is a middle-to-upper-tier house blend, so even in a novelty decanter the base liquid is respectable.
Sourcing
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Target: clean 66cl, 43%, no glaze damage, with original stopper.
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Avoid: chipped corners, missing tops, unknown volume.
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For resale, include front, spine, top and base photos.
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Expect reasonable velocity if priced under £200 for boxed, under £120 for loose.
