Blended Royal Year of the Dog Porcelain Dog Decanter Edition
⏳ Drinking Window
As a distilled spirit, this whisky does not mature further in the bottle and is ready to enjoy upon release. It will remain in peak condition indefinitely when stored upright away from direct sunlight.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
dark chocolate, smoked salmon, braised pork belly
✨ Technical Specifications
Suntory's Royal Blended Whisky is a historic expression first created in 1960 by the company's legendary founder, Shinjiro Torii, to mark Suntory's 60th anniversary. This highly collectible 2018 'Year of the Dog' edition is part of Suntory's celebrated annual Zodiac series, which began in the 1980s. Each year, Suntory releases a limited-run, hand-painted ceramic decanter shaped like the corresponding Lunar New Year zodiac animal. The porcelain vessel contains Suntory's premium Royal blend, a harmonious marriage of malt and grain whiskies sourced from the historic Yamazaki and Hakushu distilleries. Known for its elegant profile, the blend offers notes of dried fruits, rich oak, and subtle sweet spice, reflecting the pinnacle of Japanese blending craftsmanship.
🍾 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.