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The pioneering house of Japanese whisky reveals two new limited-edition bottlings within its six-part celebratory centennial range.
NEW YORK, Sept. 18, 2023 -- As 2023 marks a momentous year for the House of Suntory, the founding House of Japanese whisky is thrilled to reveal the long-awaited centennial release of Hibiki 21-Year-Old and a limited-edition bottle design of Hibiki Japanese Harmony that honors the four seasons and is a nod to the past, present, and future. The two limited releases mark the latest centennial whisky offerings from the House of Suntory's anniversary celebration, honoring a century since founder Shinjiro Torii established Japan's very first malt whisky distillery in 1923.
Originally making its debut in 1989, Hibiki is considered among the most prestigious whiskies in the world and has become one of the most sought-after Japanese blended whiskies. Hibiki is a harmonious blend of various malt and grain whiskies from Suntory's Yamazaki, Hakushu and Chita distilleries. The limited-edition Hibiki 21-Year-Old is a delicate marriage of malt and grain whiskies that are meticulously blended to create an orchestra of flavors and aromas. For this special centennial edition, rare Mizunara oak is placed at the forefront, profoundly influencing the blend while still maintaining Hibiki's character and essence.
"For the limited-edition Hibiki 21-Year-Old, our team took on the challenge of crafting a new blend to celebrate our centennial," says Chief Blender of Suntory Shinji Fukuyo. "With meticulous precision, we managed to harness the challenging-yet-rewarding characteristics of Japanese Mizunara oak to accentuate the unique flavor profile for which our Hibiki whiskies are known. This special whisky showcases our continued dedication to craftsmanship at the House of Suntory."
The centennial anniversary label design on the Hibiki 21-Year-Old bottle artfully displays a gradual transition of colors that evoke the sunrise in Japan, a symbol of life, vitality and the ever-flowing passage of time. In Japanese culture, the sun holds deep meaning, as it nurtures the surrounding nature and provides essential energy. It stands as a reminder to appreciate life and embrace the changes that come with each passing moment.
Tender gold in color, this extraordinary whisky embodies the spirit of "Wa," or oneness, with enticing aromas. It offers refined and elegant notes of kumquat and jasmine with Japanese incense. The palate is subtly sweet and floral combined with spiced sandalwood and agarwood. The result is a long and deep finish with undertones of spiced Mizunara wood. Hibiki 21-Year-Old is bottled at 43 percent ABV. It is available globally in select markets.
The House of Suntory's centennial Hibiki Japanese Harmony bottle design brings the art of "Monozukuri" craftsmanship to life—it's this same relentless pursuit for quality, ingenuity, and expressiveness that has inspired the design of each of the house's centennial limited editions. The Hibiki Japanese Harmony centennial edition packaging features motifs of snow, moon and flowers representing Japan's changing seasons. The 'Kakehashi' (bridge) depicted on the bottle links Japan and the world to the past, present and future. The water flowing underneath is pure and clear, symbolizing the cleansing of hardships and calamity. The 'Kakehashi' symbolizes the emotional connection of the Japanese people to their country's unique seasonality and its significance in everyday life, fostering an appreciation for time that deeply resonates and inspires Hibiki.
Amber in color, this luminous and delicate whisky presents notes of rose, lychee, a hint of rosemary, mature woodiness and sandalwood on the nose. On the palate, it offers aromas of honey-like sweetness, candied orange peel and white chocolate. The finish is both subtle and tender with a hint of Mizunara. Hibiki Japanese Harmony is bottled at 43 percent ABV. It is available globally in select markets.
Earlier this year, the House unveiled its centennial edition Yamazaki 18-Year-Old Mizunara and Hakushu 18-Year-Old Peated Malt whiskies. Limited 100th anniversary labels of the flagship Yamazaki 12-Year-Old and Hakushu 12-Year-Old were also released for the centennial. All four are available in select markets around the world.
The House of Suntory invites fans to join its new global membership program, offering exclusive benefits such as early access to new releases, priority invitations to consumer experiences*, distillery news, cultural insights and more. To sign up and learn more about the House of Suntory, please visit us online here.
For more information on the new limited-edition whiskies, please visit us online here for Hibiki 21-Year-Old and here for Hibiki Japanese Harmony.
*Limited number of invitations in key cities.
About The House of Suntory
Since 1923, Suntory has been renowned as a pioneer of Japanese Whisky for its House of Master Blenders and for their Art of Blending. Founder Shinjiro Torii built Japan's first malt whisky distillery in Yamazaki, and the Suntory legacy continued with Torii's son and Suntory's second Master Blender, Keizo Saji, who continued to establish distilleries including the Hakushu Distillery. As the generations of Suntory's master blenders carry on, Suntory Whisky remains committed to heritage and innovation. The House of Suntory has been named four-time Distiller of the Year at the International Spirits Challenge in London, UK (2010, 2012, 2013, 2014). Suntory Whiskies are subtle, refined and complex. The portfolio includes Yamazaki, Hakushu, Chita, Kakubin, Hibiki, Suntory Whisky Toki and Ao. The House of Suntory portfolio also offers Roku Japanese Gin and Haku Japanese Vodka. Created from Japanese ingredients by the master artisans at the House of Suntory, Roku Gin and Haku Vodka represent the nature and spirit of Japan. This year, Suntory Whisky celebrates one hundred years of whisky innovation—a major milestone not only for the brand's history, but for Japanese spirits culture as a whole. To mark this anniversary, the House of Suntory will be rolling out its centennial campaign throughout 2023.
About Beam Suntory
As a world leader in premium spirits, Beam Suntory inspires the brilliance of life by delivering great consumer experiences through its world-class portfolio of brands. Known for its craftsmanship of premium whiskies, including Jim Beam®, Maker's Mark®, Basil Hayden® and Knob Creek® bourbons; Japanese whiskies, including Yamazaki®, Hakushu®, Hibiki® and Toki®; and leading Scotch brands including Teacher's, Laphroaig® and Bowmore®, Beam Suntory also produces leading brands such as Courvoisier® cognac, Tres Generaciones®, El Tesoro® and Hornitos® tequila, Roku and Sipsmith® gin, Canadian Club® whisky, and is a world leader in ready-to-drink cocktails, with brands like -196 and On The Rocks™ Premium Cocktails.
A global company with approximately 6,000 employees in more than 30 countries, one of Beam Suntory's core values is Growing for Good and through its Proof Positive sustainability strategy, the company has committed to ambitious goals and investments to promote environmental sustainability in its operations, ensure the company has a positive impact on the communities where employees live and work, and programs to inform consumers as they make choices about drinking. Headquartered in New York City, Beam Suntory is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan. For more information on Beam Suntory, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit www.beamsuntory.com and www.drinksmart.com.
Enjoy Responsibly.
Suntory Whisky Single Malt & Blended Japanese Whisky, 43-48% Alc./Vol. ©2023 Beam Suntory Import Co., Chicago, IL
“I started my journey with Beam Suntory in the Training Tomorrow’s Talent (T3) program, which is a three-year sales and marketing rotational program that aims to train the next generation of leaders in the spirits industry. I’m currently in my third year and the program has equipped me with the brand knowledge and skills to be able to navigate this industry. I’ve had so many impactful and rewarding experiences at Beam Suntory, like supporting minority owned businesses and helping to highlight local businesses without a strong Beam Suntory Portfolio presence.
I don’t see a lot of Gen Z or Black women on the sales side of the spirits industry. Despite this, I used that to my advantage to build authentic relationships with mentors and my on and off-premise accounts. I remember when I first started working in the sales field, people would mistake me for being an intern or would tell me that women don’t drink bourbon. I would use these moments as an opportunity to educate them on our brands and their heritage, proving them wrong by showing them the demographics of our consumers.
As someone who’s new in their career journey and a first-generation college student, I sometimes put a lot of pressure on myself to succeed in my career... But I like to remind myself that if I am moving with intention, then I am exactly where I am meant to be. I have done the work to make impactful connections within the spirits industry and my accomplishments thus far speaks to that.
Through the resources available to me at Beam Suntory, I’ve been able to build an incredible network and gain a mentor in Kanata Herring, Senior Manager Innovation, who has given me a lot of great advice on how to develop a healthy work-life balance and navigate my career. It’s important to have another mentor who looks like myself.
I think it’s important for the spirits industry to continue to hire employees from a range of backgrounds, including younger generations because differences generate new ideas about how we engage consumers from a marketing perspective. We’re already seeing the way Generation Z is impacting the industry, from e-commerce, to social media and the influence we have on buying trends. It’s important for businesses to bring in a wide variety of voices so they can have a seat at the table.”
Matured in a Limestone Whisky Cellar, Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged is Aged to Taste, Not Time
LORETTO, KY (August 16, 2023) – Maker’s Mark® is proud to debut Maker’s Mark® Cellar Aged Bourbon, an annual, global limited-release expression that proves whisky aging is about more than just a number. Featuring a marriage of 11- and 12-year-old bourbon, Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged delivers the distillery’s highly anticipated oldest release, stemming from the question: What if age isn’t just about time, but instead about how you use that time to evolve, develop and mature?
Since its founding in 1953, Maker’s Mark has aged its whisky to taste – not time – to achieve the vision set by its founders: bourbon without the bite that’s always smooth, soft and creamy. Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged stays true to this philosophy, delivering a richer, deeper and more complex older bourbon, free from the harsher tannic effects commonly found in extra-aged American whiskies, as a result of our innovative maturation process that starts in traditional Kentucky warehouses and finishes in the distillery’s one-of-a-kind limestone whisky cellar.
“For more than 65 years, aging our whisky for a decade-plus wasn’t something we did,” said Rob Samuels, 8th generation whisky maker and grandson of the founders at Maker's Mark. “It’s not that we didn’t believe in it; we simply hadn’t found a way to do it that didn’t compromise on our taste vision – until now. Cellar Aged embodies an older whisky that’s distinctly Maker’s Mark. One rooted in challenging convention, delivering new flavor experiences from the environment that surrounds us, and building on a taste vision that’s been generations in the making.”
To become Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged, barrels of the distillery’s classic distillate first spend approximately six years aging in traditional bourbon warehouses, where they endure the Kentucky climate and its temperature swings season after season until they reach full maturity and can be called “Maker’s Mark.” Barrels are then moved into the distillery’s proprietary whisky cellar for an additional five to six years of aging before being blended to taste and bottled. Built into the natural limestone shelf of the Kentucky hills, the cellar’s consistently cool environment slows down the tannic impact that occurs during maturation, while allowing the bourbon to develop a deeper, darker flavor with hidden depths, but no bitterness.
This innovative and taste-led approach in pursuit of an older Maker’s Mark expression continues the boundary-pushing mindset that has shaped the brand since the beginning. Founders Bill and Margie Samuels challenged category norms when they burned their 170-year-old family recipe, choosing to use red winter wheat instead of rye in their mashbill for a softer, smoother bourbon. This spirit of asking “what if?” was present in the introduction of Maker’s Mark 46, which is crafted using a proprietary wood-stave finishing technique, and in Maker’s Mark Private Selection, which became the industry’s first custom barrel program upon its launch in 2016.
Cellar Aged will be an annual, limited release available in specific markets around the world. The unique maturation approach of Cellar Aged will be consistent every year, but the specific blend of aged bourbon will vary based on which barrels are ready, by taste. The inaugural release of Cellar Aged is a marriage of 12-year-old and 11-year-old whisky – 87% and 13%, respectively – bottled at cask strength (115.7 proof). Cellar Aged will be available for a suggested retail price of USD $150.00 in the United States in September 2023; in London, Munich and select Global Travel Retail accounts in October 2023; and in Tokyo and Singapore in early 2024.
For more information about Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged, please visit www.MakersMark.com.
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Media Contact:
Maker’s Mark // Beam Suntory: Lana Ohs
Email: Lana.Ohs@beamsuntory.com
Phone: 224-619-8096
Maker’s Mark // EVINS Communications: Frauke Weston
Email: Frauke.Weston@evins.com
Phone: 347-703-1782
About Maker’s Mark® Bourbon
In 1953, in Loretto, Ky., Bill Samuels, Sr., fulfilled his dream to create a handmade and delicious bourbon. He decided to make his whisky in small batches, using soft red winter wheat to enhance the softness and sweetness. He then rotated each barrel by hand for consistency and, finally, aged each barrel to taste. Bill Samuels, Sr., transformed bourbon from a "commodity" into a premium handmade spirit, and today Maker's Mark continues to make its bourbon the same way. That time-tested approach seems to still be working just fine 60+ years later, as Maker’s Mark Kentucky Straight Bourbon was awarded a Gold medal at the esteemed International Spirits Challenge in 2022. In recent years, Maker's Mark has introduced thoughtful, super-premium innovations to its portfolio, including Maker's Mark 46, Maker’s Mark Wood Finishing Series, Maker's Mark Cask Strength and Maker's Mark Private Selection, the brand's first-ever custom barrel program. Today, Maker's Mark is the largest bourbon distillery in the world to achieve B Corp Certification and the first distillery to achieve Regenified certification, a reflection of the brand's dedication towards building a more inclusive and sustainable economy. For more information, visit www.makersmark.com.
WE MAKE OUR BOURBON CAREFULLY. PLEASE ENJOY IT THAT WAY.
Maker's Mark® Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky, 45% Alc./Vol. ©2023 Maker's Mark Distillery, Inc., Loretto, KY.
NEW YORK – August 16, 2023 – Beam Suntory, a world leader in premium spirits, today announced the company’s 2023 half year results, with net sales up 10% year on year and strong growth across premium and Ready-to-Drink (RTD) brands.
“Our premiumization strategy and competitive advantage in Ready-to-Drink continue to deliver quality results for our business as we accelerate our work to transform our company and position ourselves as a truly global spirits leader,” said Albert Baladi, President & CEO of Beam Suntory. “Our geographic diversity has benefitted us this year with strong performance in our Asia Pacific and International regions, which has helped offset a challenging environment in North America. We are optimistic about the second half as we are starting to see signs of improvement in the US market dynamics, and we remain committed to our long-term strategy to build a premium-plus portfolio that delivers value over volume.”
Brand Performance
Global icons Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark and Roku delivered mid to high-single digit sales growth in the first half, and Japanese whiskies delivered double digit sales growth versus last year, driven by the House of Suntory’s 100 Year Anniversary and celebratory LTOs. Tequila was also a highlight with single digit sales growth from Hornitos and double- and triple-digit growth for Tres Generaciones and El Tesoro, respectively. Single Malt Scotch helped propel performance in Europe and Asia with Bowmore posting double digit growth and Laphroaig delivering strong mid-single digit sales growth versus last year. RTDs delivered double digit sales growth and continue to be a net growth contributor as the company expands its global leadership and footprint.
Regional Performance
Asia Pacific delivered strong performance of 16% sales growth versus last year as the region rebounds post-COVID, and the International region saw solid 10% sales growth. This helped balance out a challenging market in North America, which was flat versus the first half last year as the business contends with a slowdown in consumer demand in the US and the category resets post-Covid.
Becoming the World’s Most Admired Premium Spirits Company
Beam Suntory continues to work toward our long-term ambition of becoming the World’s Most Admired Premium Spirits Company. With major investments behind brands, quality and innovation, the company has made several key announcements during the year, including:
In addition, the company announced in July that Greg Hughes will succeed Baladi as President & CEO of Beam Suntory on October 1, 2023, with Baladi serving as CEO Advisor through year-end. Hughes, who joined the company in 2015, previously led Beam Suntory’s North America business and currently serves as SVP & Chief Growth and Brands Officer. He will continue to execute the company’s long-term premiumization strategy and transformation. Baladi will remain engaged as Senior Advisor through 2024.
To learn more, visit beamsuntory.com.
ABOUT BEAM SUNTORY
As a world leader in premium spirits, Beam Suntory inspires the brilliance of life by delivering great consumer experiences through its world-class portfolio of brands. Known for its craftsmanship of premium whiskies, including Jim Beam®, Maker's Mark®, Basil Hayden® and Knob Creek® bourbons; Japanese whiskies, including Yamazaki®, Hakushu®, Hibiki® and Toki™; and leading Scotch brands including Teacher's, Laphroaig® and Bowmore®, Beam Suntory also produces leading brands such as Courvoisier® cognac, Tres Generaciones®, El Tesoro® and Hornitos® tequila, Roku™ and Sipsmith® gin, Canadian Club® whisky, and is a world leader in ready-todrink cocktails, with brands like -196 and On The Rocks™ Premium Cocktails.
A global company with approximately 6,000 employees in more than 30 countries, one of Beam Suntory's core values is Growing for Good and through its Proof Positive sustainability strategy, the company has committed to ambitious goals and investments to promote environmental sustainability in its operations, ensure the company has a positive impact on the communities where employees live and work, and programs to educate and inform consumers to make the right personal choices about drinking. Headquartered in New York City, Beam Suntory is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan. For more information on Beam Suntory, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit www.beamsuntory.com and www.drinksmart.com. ©2023 Beam Suntory, Inc. New York
Contact
Allison McEneaney
Senior Director, Global Corporate Communications at Beam Suntory
allison.mceneaney@beamsuntory.com
The new packaging will reduce CO2 emissions by 30%
Islay (9th August 2023): World-renowned Scotch whisky Laphroaig® today unveiled a refreshed, more sustainable design to its iconic packaging in an effort to reduce the carbon footprint of each bottle. The new packaging will reduce the brand’s carbon emissions by 30%, and supports Beam Suntory’s Proof Positive sustainability strategy and long-term commitments to achieve net zero carbon emissions across its value chain by 2040.
The new packaging design retains the recognisable green bottle with distinctive black and white label but replaces the plastic bar top with a beech wood alternative, as well as switching out the secondary packaging tube for a more recycling-friendly carton. The new packaging will result in a reduction of 1,184.74 tons of greenhouse gases per year – equivalent to growing 30,711 saplings over ten years – a significant contribution to the overall reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
The new carton will also introduce additional quality cues on pack, including embossed Laphroaig lettering on the side as a nod to the brand’s Islay distillery. Further inspiration came from the brand archive, resulting in a refreshed wordmark and the hand-crafted distillery address on the front of pack.
“The Laphroaig distillery has been making whisky for over 200 years, and it is fundamentally important we take steps to reduce our environmental impact and protect the natural resources we rely upon,” said Chris Richardson, VP Global Scotch & Irish Brands, Beam Suntory. “This new packaging is a good step forward in our global sustainability ambitions, while still maintaining Laphroaig’s true character and exceptionally high quality.”
In addition to its new packaging, Laphroaig will also be renaming ‘Select’ to ‘Oak Select’ to reflect the role of casks in the flavour profile of the whisky. Oak Select will continue to be comprised of spirit taken from five different types of oak cask that are then blended to create the final expression. There will be no change to the whisky itself.
For additional information about Laphroaig, visit laphroaig.com.
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Media Contact:
Nell Murphy
International Communications Director
nell.murphy@beamsuntory.com
+44 (0) 7471148209
About Laphroaig® Whisky
Laphroaig is the number one selling Islay single malt globally and is synonymous with this famous whisky region. Established in 1815 by the Johnston brothers, Laphroaig has stayed true to its bold flavour and distinctive character for over 200 years. Today, Laphroaig is one of only a handful of distilleries that continues to craft whisky using traditional techniques like floor malting barley and using a “cold smoking” process to create its signature smoky flavour. Laphroaig’s commitment to bold character has earned us a dedicated following of brand fans, the Friends of Laphroaig. Launched in 1994, we are proud to count HM King Charles as our first Friend, and have since grown the program to a truly global community of thousands of whisky lovers representing over 170 countries.
About Beam Suntory
As a world leader in premium spirits, Beam Suntory inspires the brilliance of life by delivering great consumer experiences through its world-class portfolio of brands. Known for its craftsmanship of premium whiskies, including Jim Beam®, Maker's Mark®, Basil Hayden® and Knob Creek® bourbons; Japanese whiskies, including Yamazaki®, Hakushu®, Hibiki® and Toki™; and leading Scotch brands including Teacher's, Laphroaig® and Bowmore®, Beam Suntory also produces leading brands such as Courvoisier® cognac, Tres Generaciones®, El Tesoro® and Hornitos® tequila, Roku™ and Sipsmith® gin, Canadian Club® whisky, and is a world leader in ready-to-drink cocktails, with brands like -196 and On The Rocks™ Premium Cocktails.
A global company with approximately 6,000 employees in more than 30 countries, one of Beam Suntory's core values is Growing for Good and through its Proof Positive sustainability strategy, the company has committed to ambitious goals and investments to promote environmental sustainability in its operations, ensure the company has a positive impact on the communities where employees live and work, and programs to educate and inform consumers to make the right personal choices about drinking. Headquartered in New York City, Beam Suntory is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan. For more information on Beam Suntory, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit www.beamsuntory.com and www.drinksmart.com.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Aug. 7, 2023) – The University of Kentucky’s James B. Beam Institute for Kentucky Spirits officially opened its doors, elevating the institute’s impact on research, workforce development, education and outreach.
Since 2019, the institute has served as the industry’s research and development vehicle, pursuing its mission to ensure the welfare and prosperity of Kentucky’s spirits industry. Through teaching, research and outreach, the institute promotes economic sustainability, environmental stewardship and responsible consumption.
The new UK campus facilities include a research distillery building, with a 30-foot column still as the centerpiece, and the Independent Stave Company – Boswell Family Barrel Warehouse. The maturation facility allows the Beam Institute to experiment with barrel aging spirits produced in its research distillery.
“This is the largest teaching distillery in the United States and in the world,” said Seth DeBolt, institute director and UK Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment professor. “It will allow us to train the next generation of distillers and researchers, and to conduct cutting-edge research on the science of spirits production.”
As the first major gift partner to the Beam Institute, global spirits leader Beam Suntory made a long-lasting commitment to the Institute’s vision of excellent hands-on distillation, wine and brewing. The company, known for its iconic brand portfolio that includes Jim Beam, has continued to be a broad-interest partner, adding workforce education to its list of priorities through a one-of-a-kind apprenticeship. The Whisky Apprentice Program delivers a robust curriculum that includes safety, bourbon grains, bourbon engineering, fermentation, public speaking, customer relations, sensory, maturation and distillery science.
“When Beam Suntory first partnered with the University of Kentucky to create the James B. Beam Institute for Kentucky Spirits, we did so as an investment in the future of bourbon and the future of Kentucky’s workforce,” said Alex Alvarez, Chief Supply Chain Officer at Beam Suntory. “The institute has firmly established itself as a forum for continuing education and research, as well as collaboration across the industry to tackle some of our toughest challenges together. We’re proud to be an active partner in this work, pushing our industry toward a bright future.”
The Beam Institute offers engineering, chemistry, business, law, horticulture, forestry, food science, and entomology courses to address spirits industry needs in sustainable agriculture, research and development, and more. DeBolt said students will begin learning in the new facilities this fall.
The Beam Institute is a multidisciplinary effort of experts from the UK College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, College of Engineering, College of Arts and Sciences and Gatton College of Business and Economics. For more information, visit the Beam Institute website at http://beaminstitute.ca.uky.edu.
About Beam Suntory
As a world leader in premium spirits, Beam Suntory inspires the brilliance of life by delivering great consumer experiences through its world-class portfolio of brands. Known for its craftsmanship of premium whiskies, including Jim Beam®, Maker’s Mark®, Basil Hayden® and Knob Creek® bourbons; Japanese whiskies, including Yamazaki®, Hakushu®, Hibiki® and Toki™; and leading Scotch brands including Teacher’s, Laphroaig® and Bowmore®, Beam Suntory also produces leading brands such as Courvoisier® cognac, Tres Generaciones®, El Tesoro® and Hornitos® tequila, Roku™ and Sipsmith® gin, Canadian Club® whisky, and is a world leader in ready-to-drink cocktails, with brands like -196 and On The Rocks™ Premium Cocktails.
A global company with approximately 6,000 employees in more than 30 countries, one of Beam Suntory’s core values is Growing for Good and through its Proof Positive sustainability strategy, the company has committed to ambitious goals and investments to promote environmental sustainability in its operations, ensure the company has a positive impact on the communities where employees live and work, and programs to educate and inform consumers to make the right personal choices about drinking. Headquartered in New York City, Beam Suntory is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan. For more information on Beam Suntory, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit www.beamsuntory.com and www.drinksmart.com.
About Jim Beam® Bourbon
Jim Beam is the world's best-selling bourbon, crafted by seven generations of family distillers since 1795. Fred Noe, Jim Beam's 7th Generation Master Distiller, has stayed true to the family recipe that's been passed down through generations. The Jim Beam portfolio of products includes Jim Beam Bourbon, Jim Beam Black, Jim Beam Double Oak, Jim Beam Devil's Cut, Jim Beam Flavors, and Jim Beam Rye among other offerings. For more information, go to www.jimbeam.com @jimbeamofficial on Instagram and @jimbeam on Twitter.
Contact
Seth DeBolt, sdebo2@uky.edu
Ilka Balk, ilka.balk@uky.edu
Suntory to bring together strength of non-alcohol and premium spirits businesses to drive synergies and create jobs in Australia & New Zealand
3 August 2023: Beam Suntory and Frucor Suntory announce Suntory Oceania, a new AU$3B multibeverage partnership across the premium spirits and non-alcohol segments in both Australia and New Zealand.
Under the Suntory Oceania umbrella, Beam Suntory and Frucor Suntory together will create the fourth-largest ANZ beverage group in Oceania with full end-to-end control of its portfolio, including manufacturing, sales, and distribution. Preparation will start now to ensure the partnership is operational for mid-2025 in Australia and 2026 in New Zealand.
Suntory Oceania’s 40 market-leading brands will include Jim Beam® and Maker's Mark® Bourbon,
Hibiki® Japanese Whisky, Canadian Club® Whisky, -196, V Energy, Maximus, Suntory BOSS Coffee among many more, and spans premium spirits, RTD (ready-to-drink) alcohol beverages, juice, water, soft drinks, coffee, energy and sports drinks.
Frucor Suntory CEO, Darren Fullerton said, “This new venture is all about bringing the best of Suntory to Oceania. With the ability to accelerate our growth trajectory, we strongly believe it will redefine market dynamics and offer more consumer beverage moments from sunrise to sunset, unlocking innovation for our customers across retail and hospitality industries.”
Mark Hill, Managing Director of Beam Suntory Oceania, commented, “This collaboration demonstrates our belief in the growth potential of the Australian and New Zealand markets. When other businesses are pulling back, we are forging ahead, bringing Suntory’s spirit of bold ambition to life.”
The largest single FMCG investment in Australia in over a decade, the construction of a new AU$400M, net zero facility in Ipswich, Queensland, will be the catalyst for Suntory’s growth ambitions.
Complementing current manufacturing operations in Auckland, the new Queensland site will become home to additional beverage processing, packaging, warehousing, and distribution. The new facility is on track to be operational in mid-2024 with the ability to produce 20 million cases on start-up and over 50 million cases in the future.
Fullerton added, “At Suntory, we are proud of our nearly 125-year-old focus on Growing for Good. The new site sets the industry standard in terms of investment into sustainable technologies to drive efficiency and minimise our carbon footprint. We are looking at a multi-pronged strategy through a CleanCo solar power purchase agreement, over 14km of solar panels on site, biomass boiler and state-of-the-art production equipment.”
Growing for Good also means fuelling the economy, with Suntory expanding the current workforce and hiring over 400 roles as the partnership comes to life from mid-2025.
“We are immensely grateful for our long and successful relationship with Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, which will continue through to 2025,” Hill said. “With Suntory Oceania, we are looking to the future with optimism and a wholly owned platform from which to build the long-term growth of our brands for years to come. It is the perfect opportunity for us to build upon the strength of Suntory as the global leader across the beverage sector.”
Further work to establish the partnership will occur over the coming year with each partner, Beam Suntory and Frucor Suntory, retaining its own distinct legal entity.
ENDS
Please contact media@suntoryoceania.com with any further queries
Notes to Editor
About Suntory Holdings
As a global leader in the beverage industry, Suntory Group offers a uniquely diverse portfolio of products, from premium spirits, beer, wine, ready-to-drink alcohol beverages, to brewed teas, bottled water, still and carbonated soft drinks, ready-to-drink coffee and energy drinks, along with health and wellness products. Suntory is home to award-winning Japanese whiskies Yamazaki, Hibiki and Hakushu, as well as iconic American spirits Jim Beam and Maker's Mark. Suntory also fascinates the taste buds with The Premium Malt's beer, and owns the exceptional Japanese wine, Tomi, and the world-famous Château Lagrange. Its brand collection includes Sauza Tequila, non-alcoholic favorites Orangina, Lucozade, Ribena, BOSS coffee, Iyemon green tea, Suntory Tennensui water, TEA+ Oolong Tea, V and BRAND’S, as well as popular health and wellness product Sesamin EX.
Founded as a family-owned business in 1899 in Osaka, Japan, Suntory Group has grown into a global company operating throughout the Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Oceania, with an annual revenue (excluding excise taxes) of US$20.2 billion in 2022. Its 40,885 employees worldwide draw upon the unique blend of Japanese artisanship and global tastes to explore new product categories and markets.
As a corporation sustained by the gifts of nature and water, Suntory Group will always protect the ecosystems that deliver water because its ecosystem is the wellspring – not only of its business and the rich experiences the group creates for people's lives, but also of human life itself.
Suntory Group will continue to be a company where everyone is empowered with the freedom and flexibility to innovate. Through all its corporate pursuits, Suntory seeks to inspire the brilliance of life.
Learn more about Suntory Group, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility and sustainability at www.suntory.com, on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
About Beam Suntory
As a world leader in premium spirits, Beam Suntory inspires the brilliance of life by delivering great consumer experiences through its world-class portfolio of brands. Known for its craftsmanship of premium whiskies, including Jim Beam®, Maker’s Mark®, Basil Hayden® and Knob Creek® bourbons; Japanese whiskies, including Yamazaki®, Hakushu®, Hibiki® and Toki™; and leading Scotch brands including Teacher’s, Laphroaig® and Bowmore®, Beam Suntory also produces leading brands such as Courvoisier® cognac, Tres Generaciones®, El Tesoro® and Hornitos® tequila, Roku™ and Sipsmith® gin, Canadian Club® whisky, and is a world leader in ready-to-drink cocktails, with brands like -196 and On The Rocks® Premium Cocktails.
A global company with approximately 6,000 employees in more than 30 countries, one of Beam Suntory’s core values is Growing for Good and through its Proof Positive sustainability strategy, the company has committed to ambitious goals and investments to promote environmental sustainability in its operations, ensure the company has a positive impact on the communities where employees live and work, and programs to educate and inform consumers to make the right personal choices about drinking. Headquartered in New York City, Beam Suntory is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan. For more information on Beam Suntory, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit www.beamsuntory.com and www.drinksmart.com.
About Frucor Suntory
Frucor Suntory is a leading drinks company in Oceania and the market leader in energy drinks across Australia and New Zealand.
Part of global food and beverage business, Suntory Beverage and Food Limited. (SBF) which operates across Japan, Asia Pacific, Europe and Americas regional markets, and is listed on the Tokyo stock exchange.
Frucor Suntory has a rich 60-year history, growing from a juice company formed by the Apple and Pear Board to a trans-Tasman beverage leader, known for its iconic range of drinks including V Energy and Suntory BOSS Coffee.
The business is currently going through an exciting period of growth powered by the upcoming greenfield production and distribution facility that is currently under construction in Swanbank, Queensland Australia. The new facility will complement current New Zealand operations and is expected to open mid-2024.
Frucor Suntory employs a diverse team of over 1,000 people across Australia and New Zealand. Committed to Suntory’s vision of Growing for Good, at every opportunity the team aims to work in harmony with people and nature across our operations and community programs.
For more information on Frucor Suntory, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit www.frucorsuntory.com.
The Most Awarded Cognac House* reveals its 2023 Courvoisier Mizunara, the second edition of a rare and exquisite cognac crafted in collaboration with Japan’s iconic House of Suntory and finished in precious Mizunara oak casks
JARNAC, FRANCE – August 1, 2023 - Maison Courvoisier, the Most Awarded Cognac House*, announces the second edition of Courvoisier Mizunara, a rare and wholly unique blend combining French tradition and Japanese craftsmanship to create a style of cognac unlike any other.
Following the success of the inaugural edition of Courvoisier Mizunara, Maison Courvoisier’s Seventh Chief Blender Thibaut Hontanx has carried the revolutionary collaboration into its second edition alongside the House of Suntory’s Fifth Generation Chief Blender, Shinji Fukuyo. Drawing on their collective expertise in the art of blending, Hontanx and Fukuyo have shared the traditions of their crafts to create the second edition of a unique and rare cognac that embodies the belief that truly visionary blends are born when the best of two cultures come together as one.
The 2023 Courvoisier Mizunara edition is an evolution of Maison Courvoisier's most precious and exclusive blend to date, a pinnacle in its ongoing dedication to crafting premium cognac. This year’s Courvoisier Mizunara blend showcases an even more pronounced overture of the Mizunara wood than its predecessor, yet its heart and soul of Cognac remain unmistakably intact. Each blend within this extremely limited experimental series is entirely unique and features only the most exquisite eaux-de-vie of the house from the region’s top crus—Grande Champagne, considered to be the most prestigious of the Cognac region, meticulously blended with Petite Champagne and Borderies for added complexity, depth, and a long finish.
Courvoisier Mizunara begins its journey aging in casks hewn from the region’s finest oak before being transferred to rare Japanese Mizunara oak casks, which Suntory has spent multiple decades studying and mastering. This particular wood is famously difficult to work with as the tree itself grows sideways and gnarled. The high moisture content requires the wood to be over 200 years old before it can be tamed into a cask, which requires the utmost time and care.
"As we continue to explore the possibilities of oak, we've learned that time is crucial when working with Mizunara oak. It's important to be patient to achieve its full potential," says Hontanx, echoing one of the Maison's core philosophies—one of many shared by both houses. "Born out of our desire to experiment with oak sources and harness its impact on Cognac, the 2023 edition of Courvoisier Mizunara pushes the boundaries of traditional cognac even further," he continued.
This year’s Courvoisier Mizunara blend features a distinctive harmony of exotic fruits, jasmine and cherry blossom beautifully juxtaposed with the house’s signature notes of rich fruits, layered with an elegant floral finish. The understated elegance of the bottle allows the golden mahogany of the liquid to shine through, providing a canvas for the legendary Japanese Mizunara oak tree. Given the unprecedented rarity of Mizunara casks and the Master Blenders’ meticulous attention to detail, an extremely limited release of only 500 bottles of Courvoisier Mizunara will be available in select countries at a suggested retail price of $2,500 USD from August 2024. For more information, please visit Courvoisier.com.
*Based on 20 top spirits competitions since 2019.
ENDS
About Courvoisier Cognac
Maison Courvoisier was founded by Félix Courvoisier in 1828 in Jarnac, France. Courvoisier is the Most Awarded Cognac House* with a range of expressions that appeal to a variety of cognac preferences and lifestyles, including VS, VSOP, XO, and the ultimate expression of the House, L'Essence de Courvoisier. Based on the joyful, generous, and sophisticated house style and commitment to community and craftsmanship, Courvoisier continues to value its relationships with local artisans and winegrowers to produce its high-quality, award-winning cognac portfolio. For more information on Courvoisier, please visit www.courvoisier.com.
*Based on 20 top spirits competitions since 2019.
About Beam Suntory
As a world leader in premium spirits, Beam Suntory inspires the brilliance of life by delivering great consumer experiences through its world-class portfolio of brands. Known for its craftsmanship of premium whiskies, including Jim Beam®, Maker’s Mark®, Basil Hayden® and Knob Creek® bourbons; Japanese whiskies, including Yamazaki®, Hakushu®, Hibiki® and Toki®; and leading Scotch brands including Teacher’s, Laphroaig® and Bowmore®, Beam Suntory also produces leading brands such as Courvoisier® cognac, Tres Generaciones®, El Tesoro® and Hornitos® tequila, Roku and Sipsmith® gin, Canadian Club® whisky, and is a world leader in ready-to-drink cocktails, with brands like -196 and On The Rocks™ Premium Cocktails.
A global company with approximately 6,000 employees in more than 30 countries, one of Beam Suntory’s core values is Growing for Good and through its Proof Positive sustainability strategy, the company has committed to ambitious goals and investments to promote environmental sustainability in its operations, ensure the company has a positive impact on the communities where employees live and work, and programs to inform consumers as they make choices about drinking. Headquartered in New York City, Beam Suntory is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan. For more information on Beam Suntory, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit www.beamsuntory.com and www.drinksmart.com.
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Courvoisier® Cognac, 40% alc./vol. Courvoisier Import Company, Chicago, IL USA, Courvoisier is a trademark of Courvoisier S.A.S. ©2023 Courvoisier S.A.S.
https://www.courvoisier.com/us/courvoisier-awards
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