Suntory Special Reserve Pagoda Decanter 76cl
76cl / 43%
£99.00
- Region: Yamanashi
A striking fusion of artistry and craftsmanship, this Suntory Special Reserve is presented in an elegant pagoda-shaped decanter, paying homage to Japan’s iconic tiered towers. A blended whisky composed of rare, specially reserved malts and grains from Suntory’s distinguished distilleries, it offers a refined harmony of flavors—think honeyed orchard fruits, delicate spice, and a whisper of oak.
Bottled at 43% ABV in a 76cl decanter, this expression showcases Suntory’s legendary blending expertise, delivering a smooth, nuanced sip that epitomizes Japanese whisky elegance.
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A 43% 76cl Special Reserve in a pagoda-shaped decanter, blended at Yamazaki/Hakushu and sold as a prestige display bottle in the 1980s.
At-a-Glance
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Producer / Country | Suntory, Japan |
| Category | Japanese blended whisky in ceramic/pagoda decanter |
| Era / Bottled | c. mid-1980s (vintage stock on current UK sites) |
| ABV & Size(s) | 43% ABV, 76cl (760ml) |
| Base whisky | Suntory Special Reserve blend (Yamazaki and Hakushu components) |
| Natural Colour | Not stated by the producer |
| Non-Chill-Filtered | Not stated by the producer |
| Cask Strength | No |
| Outturn | Not stated (decorative limited release) |
| Intended channel | Domestic/Japanese gift; now vintage/specialist retail |
| Packaging | Pagoda-shaped decanter, usually no carton surviving |
| Notes on discrepancies | Some UK shops call it “Mitoshi Pagoda Decanter 1985” or simply “Pagoda Decanter 76cl”; spec is the same: 43%, 76cl, Special Reserve. |
Historical Context
Special Reserve has long been Suntory’s step-up blend, sitting above standard Kakubin and Old, using older and better casks from Yamazaki and later Hakushu. In the 1980s the company leaned hard into decorative decanters for domestic gifting; the pagoda shape is a natural reference to Japanese architecture and makes the release immediately identifiable across a room. Today these bottles appear in UK and EU auctions and vintage shops in small quantities. Because the whisky is NAS and the value is in the decanter, condition, fill and completeness of the ceramic are what drive price.
Technical Specification & Variant Map
2.1 Documented variants
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Suntory Special Reserve Pagoda Decanter, 43%, 76cl, c. 1985, UK price £200–£249.
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Suntory Special Reserve Pagoda Decanter, same spec, sold at UK auction for £120.
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Closely related Special Reserve decanters (non-pagoda) and hotel commemoratives exist; use the word “Pagoda” and 76cl to fix the SKU.
Variant Matrix
| ABV | Volume | Market | Era cues | Relative desirability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 43% | 76cl | UK/EU vintage retail | Pagoda-shaped decanter, Special Reserve | Core |
| 43% | 76cl | Auction, 1980s bottling | Same, sometimes slight seal damage | Slightly lower |
| 43% | 70cl/non-pagoda | Other Special Reserve decanters | Different shape | Parallel only |
2.2 Packaging & authenticity checklist
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Check for 76cl and 43% on the base or label.
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Inspect pagoda top for cracks, chips or repaired tips – very common.
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Many auction notes say “signs of age compared to a brand-new product”; repeat that in your condition notes.
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A small import/duty sticker is period-correct; don’t treat it as a fault.
2.3 Regulatory/terminology notes
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Blended whisky, Japan.
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NAS; do not write age.
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Decanter is the selling point.
Liquid Profile (from house style and listing notes)
Nose: Soft grain, honey, blossom, gentle oak and vanilla.
Palate: Rounded, sweet, blended-Japanese profile: toffee, orchard fruit, light spice.
Finish: Medium, clean, slightly sweet.
With water: Not required at 43%.
Pricing & Market Dynamics (GBP)
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Current UK retail range (incl. VAT): £200.00 (Milroy’s), £249.00 (UK specialist) for clean examples.
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Recent UK/EU auction range (hammer): £120.00 for a good example; estimates in the €80–€120 band reinforce this.
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Pricing stratification: perfect ceramic and good fill at £200–£249 retail; minor seal/dust at £150–£180; evident chips or no top at auction-only levels.
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Liquidity & sourcing note: moderate; sells to Japanese-decanter buyers and to bars that want a pagoda on the backbar.
Price Snapshot
| Channel | Date | Bottle spec | Price (GBP) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK specialist retail | 2025 | 43%, 76cl, pagoda | 200 | Milroy’s equivalent |
| UK specialist retail | 2025 | 43%, 76cl, pagoda, 1985 noted | 249 | Higher ask |
| UK auction | 2024 | 43%, 76cl, pagoda | 120 | Hammer, vintage condition |
Distillery/Bottler Snapshot
Suntory is Japan’s foundational whisky group. These Special Reserve decanters are effectively early brand-building pieces that demonstrate how far back high-presentation Japanese whisky goes. They also underline that the blend is Yamazaki/Hakushu-based even when no age is stated.
Sourcing
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Target: 76cl, 43%, undamaged pagoda, visible fill.
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Avoid: broken tips or repaired necks unless very cheap.
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Buy near £120–£150 and list £200–£220 if ceramic is excellent.
