House Of Suntory

Celebrating 100 Years of Whisky

Japan was importing wines and whiskies from distant countries across the sea, but Shinjiro Torii dreamed of making them himself some day. His lifelong dream was to make products as good as the best wines and whiskies he knew, and to surpass them. His dream became a reality in 1899.

Everything Shinjiro set out to do was new to Japan. He introduced wine to ordinary Japanese people who had never tasted it; he taught people who had never heard of whisky how to drink it.

He took the spirit of craftsmanship and made it a way of life. His untiring efforts caused great change in a country he loved. Shinjiro had the dreams and pride of a true craftsman, and dedicated his life to creating good products, working untiringly and sparing no effort to improve their quality.

History

Founded in 1899, the House of Suntory was built on one man’s dream. Shinjiro Torii wanted to enrich the lives of his people. Against the backdrop of the Japanese Meiji Era, a period of rapid modernization during which Japan opened its eyes to the West for inspiration, young Shinjiro grew into an entrepreneur, maker and doer. He wanted not only to blend imported liqueurs, but develop quintessentially Japanese spirits for his people. Shinjiro dreamed of crafting an authentic Japanese whisky, which would become a turning point for the House of Suntory.

To make that dream a reality, he started the construction of Japan’s first malt whisky distillery in Yamazaki, in the outskirts of Kyoto, in 1923. Inspired by the riches of Japanese Nature, he chose the region for its reputed soft water, unique climate and distinct seasons—all of which would contribute to the distinctive Japanese character of Suntory whiskies.

Philosophy Nature is our inspiration Craftsmanship is our heritage

Suntory has been carrying on Shinjiro’s philosophy of creating true Japanese spirits that reflects the Japanese Nature and Japanese Craftsmanship.

• Nature refers to the water and the climate of the distillery locations. Shinjiro Torii chose Yamazaki, on the outskirts of Kyoto because of the purity of its water. This is the reason why, 500 years ago, the master of tea ceremony, Sen No Rikyu built a small tea house, here in Yamazaki. And the same motivation for high quality water pushed Keizo Saji to select Hakushu.

• Japan has four very distinct seasons. We believe this unique seasonality creates the distinctive flavour of Suntory whisky. The 4 seasons are also important to harvest the botanicals of Roku Gin.

• Japanese craftsmen are very detailed in the work, paying great attention and care to all aspects of their creations. This is true in the arts like pottery, cuisine, tea ceremony, and also in modern industries like car manufacturing and watch making. Spirit making is also a craft, and this Japanese spirit of craftsmanship is reflected in our spirit making process. At the heart of everything Suntory does, is inspired by Shinjiro’s commitment to excellence, and this is carried through today. Suntory’s philosophy is to:

• Renew the world like water

• As a company that delivers the blessings of water and nature to our customers, we will protect and pass on the natural environment to the next generation.

• Satisfy people like water

• Just as water quenches the thirst of all living things, so will we enrich lives by delivering products, services and social activities of value to customers and society.

• Move freely like water

• We will continue to be a company where all employees take up the challenge to create new value, moving freely and changing and adapting like water.

1889 Shinjiro Torii starts the Torii Shoten Store in Osaka

1907 Akadama Port Wine, a sweet grape wine, released

1919 Osaka plant establishment

1923 Construction of the Yamazaki Distillery, Japan’s first malt whisky distillery

1929 Suntory Whisky White Label (Shirofuda), Japan’s first genuine whisky

1936 The first Gin, Hermes Gin, launched

1937 Suntory Whisky Kakubin (Square Bottle) launched

1956 The first Vodka, Hermes Vodka, launched

1963 Company name changed to Suntory Limited

1973 Hakushu Distillery established

1984-

2016 Suntory Whisky brands launched (Yamazaki, Hibiki, Hakushu, Chita)

2016 Suntory Whisky Toki launch

2017 Suntory Roku Gin launch

2019 Suntory Haku Vodka launch

2023 Represents the 100th anniversary of Suntory whisky production

Limited 100th Anniversary Editions

In honor of the centennial, the House of Suntory is releasing several limited-edition whiskies that highlight the unique Japanese craftsmanship at Suntory’s whisky distilleries and their meticulous art of blending, including Yamazaki 18 Year Old Mizunara and Hakushu 18 Year Old Peated Malt whiskies. Limited 100th anniversary labels of the flagship Yamazaki 12 Year Old and Hakushu 12 Year Old will also be released for the centennial.

“Hakushu and Yamazaki whiskies are gifts from our past handed down by generations,” said Fifth Generation Chief Blender Shinji Fukuyo. “It is fitting to release limited editions as part of this incredible milestone, as they represent our relentless pursuit of quality and symbolize our promise to carry our philosophy on for the next one hundred years and beyond.”