The House of Suntory, the Founding House of Japanese Whisky, celebrates its 100th anniversary of whisky innovation: a major milestone not only for Suntory’s history but for Japanese spirits culture. In honour of this centennial, The House releases a Suntory Anniversary Tribute short as imagined by Academy Award-winning Director Sofia Coppola and starring Actor Keanu Reeves, as well as an exclusive 100th-anniversary edition of its world-renowned whiskies.
Twenty years after filming Lost in Translation, Sofia Coppola returned to Japan to create The Suntory Anniversary Tribute. Coppola brings her artistic genius and admiration for Suntory Whisky to life as the creative director of the Tribute, which honours Suntory’s illustrious past, present and future. The Suntory Anniversary Tribute tells the remarkable story of the brand’s heritage and whisky-making legacy over the last 100 years, depicting the meaning of “Suntory Time” through the eyes of its creator. The Suntory Anniversary Tribute, which features actor Keanu Reeves, a lover of Suntory Whisky and who previously appeared in a Suntory Reserve ad campaign in 1992, debuted earlier this summer during the Suntory Time 100th Anniversary Global Premiere event in New York City. The Tribute can now be viewed on The House of Suntory website here.
“We are thrilled to announce the masterful cinematic work of art Keanu and Sofia have made to mark this monumental time in the brand’s history,” said Rob Tucker, Senior Brand Manager of The House of Suntory Canada. “As the pioneer of Japanese Whisky, The House of Suntory has played an immeasurable role in shaping the whisky culture in Japan. From our Fifth Generation Chief Blender Shinji Fukuyo’s iconic blends, to showcasing the blossoming of Japanese Whisky craftmanship over the past 100 years, the film perfectly commemorates the legacy and footprint The House has had during the past century. The Suntory Whisky-loving duo has surpassed all expectations and we could not be more proud to celebrate it and share with Canada.”
Later this summer, Reeves will star in another creative project in partnership with The House of Suntory: a series of documentary shorts from filmmaker Roman Coppola titled: “The Nature and Spirit of Japan.” The series explores Japanese whisky culture inspired by harmony with nature (Wa), elevated by Japanese craftsmanship (Monozukuri) and enjoyed as an authentic Japanese cultural experience (Omotenashi). The docuseries will strike a balance between education and entertainment, aiming to foster a deeper exploration of The House of Suntory and Japanese culture overall.
"I’m honoured to partner with Suntory Whisky again thirty years after our Suntory Reserve campaign,” said Keanu Reeves. “I’m a huge fan of Suntory Whisky, so it’s very special to collaborate in honour of this milestone anniversary. My admiration for the whisky goes beyond tasting the whisky. It is the elevated Japanese craftsmanship and attention to every detail that makes Suntory Whisky so special. As an actor honing and perfecting my own craft, sharing this process in a docuseries is a thrill.”
In honour of the centennial, The House of Suntory is releasing several limited-edition whiskies that highlight the unique Japanese craftsmanship at Suntory’s whisky distilleries and its meticulous art of blending including Yamazaki 18 Year Old Mizunara, which will be available in Canada, and Hakushu 18 Year Old Peated Malt whiskies. Limited 100th anniversary labels of the flagship Yamazaki 12 Year Old and Hakushu 12 Year Old will also be released for the centennial.
“Hakushu and Yamazaki whiskies are gifts from our past handed down by generations,” said Fifth Generation Chief Blender Shinji Fukuyo. “It is fitting to release limited editions as part of this incredible milestone, as they represent our relentless pursuit of quality and symbolize our promise to carry our philosophy on for the next one hundred years and beyond.”
The centennial of The House of Suntory began with the establishment of its Yamazaki Distillery in 1923 —the first and oldest malt whisky distillery in Japan’s history. The House of Suntory founder Shinjiro Torii’s 100-year legacy began with a dream to “create an original Japanese whisky blessed with the riches of Japanese nature and craftsmanship,” which his grandson Shingo Torii carries forth today at Yamazaki and its distilleries across the country. Since its founding, The House of Suntory has been crafting world-class spirits and is known for Yamazaki, Hakushu, Chita, Kakubin, Hibiki, Suntory Whisky Toki and Ao, as well as Roku Gin and Haku Vodka. Currently available in various markets across Canada are Suntory Whisky Toki, Ao and Roku Gin with Yamazaki coming later this fall.
This landmark anniversary is a significant milestone for The House of Suntory and for its home country of Japan. As a first step toward its promising future, The House of Suntory is investing 10 billion JPY ($77 million USD) to enhance its Yamazaki and Hakushu Distilleries which are currently closed for renovation and scheduled to reopen this fall. The House of Suntory has become synonymous with some of the best Japanese whiskies in the world today, and it has undoubtedly built a legacy worthy of celebration.
The House of Suntory invites fans to join its new global membership program. Members will be among the first to hear about The 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 online here.
For more information about The House of Suntory, please visit online here.
*Limited number of invitations will be distributed in key cities.
