The House of Suntory Launches Limited-Edition Hakushu^® 12 and 18 Year Old Whiskies in Honor of 100-Year Anniversary

From Hakushu’s mountain forest distillery, the House of Suntory proudly introduces two new limited-edition expressions to its iconic ranges as part of the historic brand’s multifaceted centennial celebration

NEW YORK, NY, May 24, 2023 – For the House of Suntory, a pioneer of Japanese whisky, this year marks a century since founder Shinjiro Torii established Yamazaki Distillery, and fifty years since the Hakushu Distillery was formed. As a nod to its future and a way to honor the craftsmanship and innovative spirit of the brand, the House of Suntory announces two limited edition bottlings released for Suntory Whisky’s centennial: a new, limited release Hakushu 18 Year Old Peated Malt, along with the flagship Hakushu 12 Year Old clad in limited-edition celebratory packaging for the 100^th anniversary. These two Hakushu releases are unveiled alongside two limited-edition Yamazaki bottlings, announced separately.

“Blending is at the heart of everything we do at the House of Suntory, and we hold each of our whiskies to the highest standards throughout the process,” shared Fifth Generation Chief Blender Shinji Fukuyo. “I am proud to share the release of Hakushu 18 Year Old Peated Malt and special edition packaging of our Hakushu 12 Year Old with the world.”

The House of Suntory’s limited-edition Hakushu 18 Year Old Peated Malt is comprised of meticulously selected malt whiskies all aged for a minimum of 18 years. Nestled deep in Mt. Kaikomagatake, the Second-Generation Master Blender, Keizo Saji, founded the Hakushu Distillery in 1973. Its blenders accepted the challenge of working with peat – a daring move made possible thanks to the area’s unique terroir, climate and exceptional mountain water (filtered through granite rocks) which together soften the whisky’s signature smoky taste.

Refined and elegant, this rare Hakushu 18 Year Old Peated Malt brings a new angle to the world of peated whisky. On the nose, this Hakushu expression features vibrant notes of sage, ripe green apple, and hints of ripe pineapple. It has a complex smoky flavor on the palate that reveals layers of herbal, grapefruit and acacia honey notes, with a smoky finish that lingers with undernotes of fresh green citrus. Hakushu 18 Year Old Peated Malt is presented at 48 percent ABV with a suggested retail price of $1,200.00 (700ml).

The House’s centennial Hakushu 12 Year Old packaging is designed as an homage to “Monozukuri” craftsmanship—a Japanese principle which embodies elevated artisanship, relentless pursuit for quality, ingenuity, and expressiveness. The illustration on the bottle captures the Hakushu Distillery in soft hues of verdant green, representing the forest surrounding the distillery. It depicts Shinjiro Torii’s dream to make whisky blessed with the riches of Japanese nature and craftsmanship that is still carried on today.

On the nose, Hakushu 12 Year Old offers aromas of basil, pine needle and green apple. On the palate, it presents notes of sweet pear, mint and kiwi with a green tea and subtly smoky finish. This expression is bottled at 43 percent ABV with a suggested retail price of $185.00 (750ml).

The Hakushu 12 and 18 Year Old releases will be announced this month in select global markets including the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, France, and Singapore. Since its founding, the House of Suntory has been crafting world-class spirits and is known for its Yamazaki, Hakushu, Chita, Kakubin, Hibiki, Suntory Whisky Toki and Ao, as well as Roku Gin and Haku Vodka.

The House of Suntory invites fans to join its new global membership program. Members will be among the first to hear about House of Suntory new releases, receive priority consideration for invitations to consumer experiences*, learn news from the distilleries, gain early access to content and more. The House of Suntory membership program aims to bring Japanese whisky enthusiasts together around the world and provide a cultural journey through Japan. To sign up, please visit us online here.

For more information about the House of Suntory, please visit us online here.

*Limited number of invitations in key cities.

About The House of Suntory

Since 1923, Suntory has been renowned as a pioneer of Japanese Whisky for its House of Master Blenders and for their Art of Blending. Founder Shinjiro Torii built Japan’s first malt whisky distillery in Yamazaki, and the Suntory legacy continued with Torii’s son and Suntory’s second Master Blender, Keizo Saji, who continued to establish distilleries including the Hakushu Distillery. As the generations of Suntory’s master blenders carry on, Suntory Whisky remains committed to heritage and innovation. The House of Suntory has been named four-time Distiller of the Year at the International Spirits Challenge in London, UK (2010, 2012, 2013, 2014). Suntory Whiskies are subtle, refined and complex. The portfolio includes Yamazaki, Hakushu, Chita, Kakubin, Hibiki, Suntory Whisky Toki and Ao. The House of Suntory portfolio also offers Roku Japanese Gin and Haku Japanese Vodka. Created from Japanese ingredients by the master artisans at the House of Suntory, Roku Gin and Haku Vodka represent the nature and spirit of Japan. This year, Suntory Whisky celebrates one hundred years of whisky innovation—a major milestone not only for the brand’s history, but for Japanese spirits culture as a whole. To mark this anniversary, the House of Suntory will be rolling out its centennial campaign throughout 2023.

About Beam Suntory

As a world leader in premium spirits, Beam Suntory inspires the brilliance of life by delivering great consumer experiences through its world-class portfolio of brands.  Known for its craftsmanship of premium whiskies, including Jim Beam®, Maker’s Mark®, Basil Hayden® and Knob Creek® bourbons; Japanese whiskies, including Yamazaki®, Hakushu®, Hibiki® and Toki®; and leading Scotch brands including Teacher’s, Laphroaig® and Bowmore®, Beam Suntory also produces leading brands such as Courvoisier® cognac, Tres Generaciones®, El Tesoro® and Hornitos® tequila, Roku and Sipsmith® gin, Canadian Club® whisky, and is a world leader in ready-to-drink cocktails, with brands like -196 and On The Rocks™ Premium Cocktails. 

A global company with approximately 6,000 employees in more than 30 countries, one of Beam Suntory’s core values is Growing for Good and through its Proof Positive sustainability strategy, the company has committed to ambitious goals and investments to promote environmental sustainability in its operations, ensure the company has a positive impact on the communities where employees live and work, and programs to inform consumers as they make choices about drinking. Headquartered in New York City, Beam Suntory is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan. For more information on Beam Suntory, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit www.beamsuntory.com