Blended Royal Rabbit 12YO
⏳ Drinking Window
As a mature distilled spirit, this bottle is fully aged and stable; it can be enjoyed immediately upon opening or preserved in a collection indefinitely.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
smoked salmon, dark chocolate, roasted duck
✨ Technical Specifications
Though classified under 'Other' rather than a traditional grape wine, the Suntory Blended Royal 'Rabbit' 12-Year-Old is a legendary artifact of Japanese blending mastery. The 'Royal' blend was originally conceived in 1960 by Suntory's pioneering founder, Shinjiro Torii, to mark the company's 60th anniversary and stands as his final, crowning masterpiece. This highly collectible 12-year-old expression is famously released in beautiful ceramic decanters to celebrate the Lunar New Year Zodiac cycle—specifically the Year of the Rabbit, symbolizing longevity, peace, and prosperity. Crafted using premium malt whiskies from the historic Yamazaki and Hakushu distilleries alongside clean grain whiskies from Chita, it offers a window into the traditional Japanese art of whisky blending, characterized by delicate orchard fruits, subtle Mizunara oak spice, and a velvety, harmonious finish.
🍾 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.