The aging cellar at the Yamazaki Distillery, where malt whisky slowly changes color to amber, acquiring a rich aroma and deep flavor.

In 1923, Suntory's founder Shinjiro Torii began constructing Japan's first whisky distillery in Yamazaki in the outskirts of Kyoto. This district, now recognized as the birthplace of Japanese whisky, is also known since ancient times as Minaseno, and is renowned for its excellent water quality.
In 1929, Suntory introduced Suntory Shirofuda (Japanese for "white label"), Japan's first genuine domestically produced whisky. KAKUBIN ("square bottle"), a premium Japanese whisky, was born in 1937.

In 1973, Suntory built another distillery in Hakushu at the foot of Mt. Kaikomagatake in the Southern Japan Alps. It developed an unparalleled variety of malt whiskies and highly refined techniques in these two utopias of whisky, and brought to market such products as YAMAZAKI single malt whisky, HAKUSHU and HIBIKI blended whisky.
Following these achievements, Suntory worked even harder in pursuit of yet higher quality and received commendations from various of the world's most authoritative international liquor competitions as a result. The company's technological capabilities have now brought it worldwide acknowledgement and appreciation.

(Record of awards received in major competitions)

Suntory supplies bars and restaurants in Japan with a variety of internationally renowned spirits.

Wherever you go in the world, you will find superb spirits of deserved renown. Determined to introduce the distinctive aromas and flavors cultivated in the climates and traditions of other nations to Japan, Suntory was quick to establish ties with exemplary beverage makers around the world, and to build a business as the most capable distributor in the Japanese market. Currently partnered with over 40 companies, we distribute more than 70 brands of imported Western spirits.

These include such whisky brands as BALLANTINE'S, JACK DANIEL'S, EARLY TIMES and CANADIAN CLUB. We also import The MACALLAN, BOWMORE, LAPHROAIG and GLENFIDDICH single malt whiskies, which are becoming increasingly popular today, and such beloved liqueurs and spirits of the world as LEJAY-CASSIS, KAHLÚA, CAMPARI, MALIBU, BEEFEATER, SKYY and SAUZA. Through these activities, we give our customers in Japan an opportunity to share the enjoyment of a wide range of esteemed beverages with the citizens of countries around the world.

Suntory has continuously suggested lifestyle designs and introduced the new tastes and pleasures of Western liquors through each new era since its founding. When interest in Western lifestyles intensified in the postwar years, for example, we built a nationwide chain of Torys Bars and began publishing Youshu Tengoku ("Western Liquor Heaven"), a PR magazine featuring innovative advertising and suggestions concerning various new drinking styles to introduce casual enjoyment of Western liquors into everyday life.

We have been proposing ways of serving whisky in highballs, including our Kaku Highball, for example, by mixing soda with it. Another highball product, KAKUBIN, has found popularity among a wide range of people of both genders and various ages, thanks to a campaign conducted to promote highballs and to the launch of Canned Kaku Highball in 2009 as well as to an increase in the number bars and restaurants serving it. We have continued our efforts to introduce new styles of adult whisky enjoyment, such as pioneering the use of Perrier sparkling water as a mixer for our single malt whiskies and HIBIKI.

As concerns liqueurs, we are striving to enhance demand by communicating the attractions of cocktails made with such liqueurs as LEJAY-CASSIS, KAHLÚA and CAMPARI that can be enjoyed not only in bars but also at home.