Discover the origins of Suntory, founded over a century ago in Kyoto and renowned for its pristine waters, it is the birthplace of Japanese whisky.

Established in 1923 by Shinjiro Torii, the founder of Suntory, The Yamazaki Distillery is Japan's first and oldest malt whisky distillery. Torii's vision was to create a Japanese whisky inspired by traditional Scottish methods, choosing a distinct terrain and climate that differed from Scotland. Nestled on the outskirts of Kyoto, this region, known formerly as "Minaseno", boasts some of the purest waters in Japan and is considered the birthplace of Japanese whisky.

Founded 50 years after Yamazaki, the Hakushu Distillery embodies Keizo Saji's visionary pursuit of innovation and was built in 1973 as the second Suntory distillery. Utilizing fresh rainwater and melted snow from the Southern Japanese Alps, the distillery, situated at over 700 meters above sea level, benefits from the clear air and cool, humid climate of Hakushu's lush forests to carefully craft premium whisky through a slow and meticulous process, truly capturing the essence of its four distinct seasons.