Japan & Australia: Suntory announces launch of Suntory Whisky Toki in Australia

House of Suntory has announced the launch of Suntory Whisky Toki, a blend of whiskies from the Hakushu, Yamazaki and Chita distilleries, in Australia, The Shout reported on January 15.

The new whisky, which will launch in Australia in February, is said to reflect Japan as a land of “contrasts” and “paradox”, both respecting tradition and challenging whisky convention in the way it is blended.

In particular, Suntory blends often use Yamazaki malts as their key component, but not so for Toki. Instead, House of Suntory’s fourth chief blender, Shinji Fukuyo, took a fresh approach for this whisky – selecting Hakushu American white oak cask malt whisky as one of the blends two pillars.

Hakushu American white oak – known for its unique freshness, mellowness and green apple notes – is complemented by Chita “heavy-type” grain whisky, adding a clean taste with notes of sweetness and vanilla.

Suntory says that by pairing these seemingly dissimilar whiskies, chief blender Fukuyo has “overturned the old relationship between malt and grain” and “created a blend that is both groundbreaking and timeless.”

To give the whisky greater complexity, Fukuyo also selected two Yamazaki malts (American white oak and Spanish oak) to add to the blend. The resulting whisky (43% ABV, RRP $64.99) is described as a vivid, well-balanced and silky blend with a subtle sweet-and-spicy finish.

In terms of a perfect serve, Suntory recommend Toki neat, on the rocks or in a traditional highball – keeping it simple with 30ml of whisky, ice, chilled soda water and a twist of lemon.

15 January, 2019