SUNTORY DISTILLERY

The Birth of HIBIKI
SUNTORY’s founder, Shinjiro Torii, dreamt of crafting a world-class whisky that reflected Japanese sensibility. In 1923, he established Japan’s first whisky distillery in YAMAZAKI, Kyoto. While learning from Scottish techniques, he sought to create flavours that harmonised with Japan’s unique environment. This vision culminated in 1989 with the unveiling of HIBIKI, a masterpiece by second-generation Master Blender Keizo Saji, marking SUNTORY’s 90th anniversary.

A Symphony of Flavours
HIBIKI is a symphony of flavours born from the harmonious blending of whiskies from three distinct distilleries: YAMAZAKI, HAKUSHU, and CHITA. Each distillery contributes unique characteristics, resulting in a whisky of exceptional depth and complexity. This art of blending requires generations of expertise, with each cask developing its unique character over time.

A Reflection of Japanese Aesthetics
The HIBIKI bottle reflects the essence of Japanese aesthetics. Its 24-faceted decanter symbolises the 24 divisions of the solar year, a celebration of the passage of time. The label, crafted from Echizen washi, and the deep purple ribbon exude elegance and refinement, echoing the harmonious blending within the whisky.

A Legacy of Harmony
HIBIKI is more than just a whisky; it is a testament to the Japanese spirit of craftsmanship, where tradition meets innovation. It embodies the philosophy of inspiring brilliance in life by creating rich experiences for people in harmony with nature. HIBIKI remains an ode to harmony – between people, nature, and time – forever striving for the pinnacle of excellence.

The Whisky Rooted in Kyoto’s Waters
Established in 1923 at the foot of Tennozan in Kyoto, YAMAZAKI is Japan’s oldest malt whisky distillery. Renowned as a land of fine waters, this location was carefully selected by founder Shinjiro Torii for its confluence of the Katsura, Uji, and Kizu rivers, providing an ideal environment for whisky maturation. In 1984, after over six decades of whisky making, YAMAZAKI introduced its eponymous single malt, crafted exclusively from whiskies aged within its walls.

Refined Balance in Every Drop
YAMAZAKI SINGLE MALT is born from a diverse collection of whiskies; each matured in the unique Japanese climate. Meticulously blended, these whiskies offer a harmonious balance of strength and delicacy with a rich, sweet character.

The Art of Whisky is in the Detail
From selecting raw materials to fermentation, distillation, and maturation, every stage of the whisky-making process at YAMAZAKI is executed with meticulous attention to detail. The result is a remarkable diversity of whiskies, each contributing to the complex and nuanced character of YAMAZAKI SINGLE MALT. With over 1.4 million casks in its collection, YAMAZAKI offers a unique and unforgettable whisky experience.

Nature’s Canvas, Crafted by Human Hands
Nestled amidst the Southern Japanese Alps, HAKUSHU Distillery produces a single malt whisky that is truly a product of its environment. Fed by the pristine waters of the Southern Alps, matured in a climate defined by its purity and rigour, and nurtured by the surrounding forests, HAKUSHU is a testament to the harmonious interplay between nature and human craftsmanship.

Polished by Time, Shaped by the Water
Filtered through granite bedrock for nearly two decades, the exceptionally soft water forms the bedrock of this whisky, lending it a refreshing aroma and a light, supple palate. This defining characteristic, unwavering even with extended maturation, is the hallmark of HAKUSHU.

The Forest in a Glass
Its master distillers meticulously select and blend a diverse range of malt whiskies to create the unique flavour profile of HAKUSHU. Every process stage is meticulously crafted to achieve a light yet profound taste from mashing to fermentation, distillation, and maturation. The result is a whisky that encapsulates the essence of the forest, a harmonious fusion of nature’s bounty and human artistry.

A Legacy of Craftsmanship
Situated on the picturesque Chita Peninsula overlooking Ise Bay, CHITA Distillery is one of SUNTORY’s three domestic distilleries, dedicated to producing grain whisky primarily from corn. A cornerstone of SUNTORY’s whisky-making legacy, CHITA Distillery has long played a pivotal role in crafting the distinctive character of the company’s blended whiskies.

The Birth of Chita Single Grain
CHITA Distillery now introduces an innovative eponymous single-grain whisky, CHITA. Fifth-generation Chief Blender Shinji Fukuyo accepted the challenge of elevating grain whisky beyond its traditional simplicity, creating a captivating flavour profile with enduring appeal.

A Symphony of Flavour and Cask
Employing a continuous distillation process, CHITA Distillery produces three distinct types of grain whisky – clean, medium, and heavy – an achievement unmatched worldwide. These unique spirits are then meticulously matured in a variety of casks, including American white oak, Spanish oak, and wine casks, each imparting its distinctive character. This interplay of flavours, born from the careful selection and maturation of the distillery’s grain whiskies, sets CHITA Single Grain apart.