Name: Suntory Whisky – Toki

Color: Gold

Nose: Light malt, flowers, fresh oak, white fruits

Taste: Honey, malt, oak wood, white pepper

In the Japanese world of whisky Suntory is considered “first authentic Japanese whisky”  as it was specifically created for lighter taste of the Japanese. Prior to the creation of there whisky they were dependent solely on imports from the UK and USA. The distillery was founded by Shinjiro Torii in 1923 and it’s first released was Shirofuda in 1929 and was not well received. In 1937 they released their Kakubin and it was very well received. 

The name Toki translates to “time” in Japanese, and it is a blend of Yamazaki, Hakushu and Chita which are all under Suntory’s control. The taste is clean but does not have a lot of complexity or exotic flavors. It is smooth with a little creamy finish. It is a good baseline whisky but it appears to be marketed a cocktail mixer for the price vs. taste. I get the feeling this is the left over stuff from the three distilleries put into one bottle to squeeze out a bit more production.

Suntory is a massive company. As of 2022, they currently have following whisky distilleries under their control:

Jim Beam Bourbon & Rye, Maker’s Mark, Old Grand-Dad, Old Crow, Baker’s, Basil Hayden’s, Booker’s, Knob Creek Bourbon & Rye, Old Overholt, Rī1, Kessler, Beam’s Eight Star, Laphroaig, Bowmore, Ardmore, Auchentoshan, Teacher’s Highland Cream,  Irish Whiskey,The Tyrconnell, Connemara, Greenore, Kilbeggan, 2 Gingers Irish Whiskey, Alberta Premium, Canadian Club, Tangle Ridge, Windsor Canadian, DYC Whisky, Yamazaki, Hakushu, Hibiki, Oaksmith Gold Whisky, Chita, and Toki. Plus 29 other various types of liquor distilleries and companies under their management. Impressed yet? I was when I read this list.

Priced around $45 and is an affordable Japanese baseline whisky to try or as a summer mixer.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!