House of Suntory holds star studded 100th anniversary party, debuts limited edition whiskies

The House of Suntory has unveiled the first 100th anniversary editions of its renowned Yamazaki 12 and 18 year old single malt whiskies – and held a lavish party in London to celebrate the company’s centenary. 

The ‘Suntory 100’ Yamazaki 18 Year Old Mizunara is a single malt exclusively aged in Mizunara oak casks, while the classic Yamazaki 12 Year Old is being released with limited-edition packaging.

The pair are the first in a collection of anniversary bottlings, which will also include The Hakashu 18 Year Old Peated Malt.   

Founder Shinjiro Torii established Yamazaki Distillery in 1923, ushering in a new era of whisky-making in Japan. 

“Yamazaki 18 Year Old Mizunara was blended for our 100 year anniversary and features a rich texture created from a long ageing process. This expresses the delicate and meticulous attention to detail that went into its craftsmanship,” said Fifth Generation Chief Blender Shinji Fukuyo.

“I believe this whisky embodies the founding family’s spirit to pursue quality, and I am honoured to share this with the world.”

“I believe this whisky embodies the founding family’s spirit to pursue quality…”

The House of Suntory first discovered and started experimenting with Mizunara wood in the 1940s, under the supervision of the First Generation Master Blender Shinjiro Torii and Second Generation Master Blender Keizo Saji. 

Tasting notes for the 18 Year Old whisky speak of dark cherry and ripe peach, with hints of cinnamon and nutmeg. On the palate, there’s subtle spice with the influence of Japanese incense and lingering finish, accentuated with clove, sandalwood, and dried coconut. The expression is bottled at 48 % ABV. 

Yamazaki 18 Year Old Mizunara sells for £1,600 and is available from Harrods, The Whisky Exchange and The Whisky Shop. The Yamazaki 12 Year Old sells for £200.

We’re told the Yamazaki 12 Year Old is an homage to monozukuri craftsmanship, a relentless pursuit for quality. The bottle design pays tribute to the distillery and features an illustration of the building in deep copper tones from a low angle, looking up. 

On the nose it offers aromas of peach, pineapple, grapefruit, clove, candied orange, vanilla and Mizunara oak. On the palate, it has notes of coconut, cranberry and butter. The expression is bottled at 43% ABV.

The House of Suntory 100th anniversary London party 

To celebrate its 100th anniversary, The House of Suntory held a star studded party in London last week, at premium Japanese sushi restaurant and bar Sexy Fish. The Luxe Review was in attendance, welcomed by enthusiastic taiko drummers and a Toki Highball. Also drawing attention at the party was Suntory brand ambassador Keanu Reeves.

The cocktail menu was a glorious celebration of Suntory spirits:

The Awakening was a refreshing serve of Yamazaki Distiller’s Reserve whisky, yuzu, miny, coconut and Branca menta.

The Boom was an explosion of Toki whisky, tamarind and honeycomb.

The Influence combined peach infused Hibiki Japanese Harmony whisky, with yet more peach, and lapsang souchong soda.

Skyline took the form of coconut infused Haku vodka, coconut, sake, lime, celery and lemongrass oil.

The Bubble was a blissfully simple mix of Hakushu Distiller’s Reserve whisky and soda.

Night Lights comprised Shiso-infused Roku gin, kumquat, Strega and Peychaud’s bitters.

To complement the spirits, came wagyu and smoked kimchi toast, smoked salmon Bao bun, crispy pink shrimp in yuzu mayo, chicken yakitori, caramelised black cod and a bewildering selection of maki rolls.