Suntory Whisky: A Legacy of Japanese Craftsmanship at Izakaya Juraku

Suntory has a big place in the story of Japanese whisky, and we pour two of their best-known expressions, Toki and Yamazaki 12-Year, in our signature highballs.

The History of Suntory Whisky

Suntory was founded in 1923 by Shinjiro Torii, who wanted to make a whisky suited to the Japanese palate. He built the Yamazaki Distillery, Japan's first commercial whisky distillery, to do it.

Suntory later added the Hakushu Distillery in the mountains of Yamanashi and the Chita Distillery for grain whisky, and expanded from there.

Suntory Whisky Expressions at Izakaya Juraku

Suntory Toki

• A blend of malt and grain whiskies from the Yamazaki, Hakushu, and Chita distilleries
• Flavor: crisp green apple, white pepper, and basil, clean and slightly sweet on the finish
• Best in a Toki Highball, where the citrusy notes come through with premium soda water and a touch of lemon

Yamazaki 12-Year

• Japan's best-known single malt, aged 12 years at the Yamazaki Distillery
• Flavor: honey, dried fruit, Mizunara oak spice, and a little smoke
• Good neat, on the rocks, or in a Yamazaki 12 Highball for something richer

The Suntory Highball at Izakaya Juraku

The Japanese highball is precise, the whisky-to-soda ratio and the ice both matter. We serve:

• Toki Highball: light and refreshing, crisp citrus, clean finish
• Yamazaki 12 Highball: deeper and more nuanced, with layers of fruit and spice

Try Suntory at Izakaya Juraku, 121 Ludlow St, New York, NY 10002, Toki Highball if you want something light, Yamazaki 12 neat or in a highball if you want more depth.

Kanpai!