Blended Old Whisky Rich & Mellow
⏳ Drinking Window
As a distilled spirit, this bottle does not mature further once packaged. It is ready to enjoy immediately upon release and will maintain its character indefinitely when stored upright in a cool, dark place.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
braised pork belly, grilled yakitori, dark chocolate
✨ Technical Specifications
Suntory Old Whisky, first introduced in 1950, is one of Japan's most iconic and historically significant spirits. Created to appeal to the Japanese palate, this blended whisky was championed by Suntory's founder, Shinjiro Torii, as a harmonious and approachable expression of Japanese craftsmanship. Affectionately nicknamed 'Daruma' due to its distinctive, squat black bottle that resembles the traditional Japanese wishing doll, it became a staple of post-war Japanese culinary and nightlife culture. The 'Rich & Mellow' designation reflects its classic blending style, utilizing mature malt and grain whiskies from Suntory's historic distilleries. Aged in a combination of oak casks, including Spanish oak sherry casks, it delivers a smooth, medium-bodied profile characterized by sweet vanilla, dried fruit, and a gentle touch of wood spice.
🍾 About the Producer
Established in 1899 by Shinjiro Torii as Torii Shoten in Osaka, Suntory is the pioneer of Japanese whisky and one of the world’s preeminent drinks conglomerates. Guided by Torii's defining philosophy of 'Yatte Minahare' (go for it), the house constructed Japan’s first malt whisky distillery at Yamazaki in 1923, chosen for the pure soft water where three rivers converge at the base of Mount Tennozan, followed by the alpine, heavily forested Hakushu distillery in 1973. While globally renowned for spirits, Suntory also champions domestic Japanese viticulture, notably cultivating native Koshu and Muscat Bailey A under sustainable viticultural regimes in Yamanashi and Nagano. Distillation and maturation reflect consummate technical precision, utilizing diverse copper pot still profiles and wood regimes spanning ex-bourbon, Spanish sherry butts, and indigenous Mizunara oak. Benchmark expressions include Yamazaki Single Malt, Hakushu, Hibiki, Kakubin, and Japan Premium Koshu, epitomizing Suntory’s dedication to balance, subtle complexity, and ethereal harmony.