Category | Whiskey |
Region | Japan |
Brand | Suntory |
Alcohol/vol | 43% |
Proof | 86.00 |
Suntory Toki Japanese Whisky 70cl
$118.98 $95.18
It’s a concept rich in meaning the world over, but particularly in Japan where respect for tradition and reinvention sparks a powerful creative energy. Clear gold. Basil, green apple, honey nose. Grapefruit, green grapes, peppermint, thyme palate. Subtly sweet and spicy finish with a hint of vanilla oak, white pepper and ginger.
A blended whisky from Suntory’s three distilleries: Yamazaki, Hakushu and Chita. Toki has a different composition to another Suntory blend, Hibiki, as its main components are Hakashu single malt and Chita grain whisky. It should work really well in a highball. ‘Toki’ means ‘time’ in Japanese.
Suntory Japanese Whisky, to me, is all about art and subtlety. It’s aromatic, floral, subtle, and complex. That makes for a pretty compelling stripped-down highball, with only ice and soda water to support the whisky and deliver it in a refreshing way. The history of the Japanese whisky highball and the drinking culture surrounding it is fascinating, but I’m not qualified to cover it here. Suffice to say that I’ve made a few at home (complete with the 13-and-a-half clockwise stirs) and have enjoyed the simplicity, food-friendliness, and refreshing nature of such a drink. I just can’t bring myself to put actual expensive Japanese whisky in it.
Japanese drinks giant Suntory (which now owns Jim Beam and its related brands) has blended “selected” (read: leftover) barrels from Hakushu and Yamazaki distilleries (both malts), and Chita distillery (heavy-type grain whisky). Unlike previous Suntory blends, this one relies on Hakushu as primary malt, not Yamazaki. The Yamazaki components are aged in both American white oak and Spanish oak. The Hakushu in American white oak. (In other words, no Mizunara here). The blend is bottled at 43% ABV. Did I mention that it’s bottled in a glass brick? Literally, I bet Habitat for Humanity could collect these and mortar them together to make houses.
Nose: Soft orchard fruits and thyme honey are joined by a helping of peppermint in the backdrop.
Palate: More green apple on the palate leads along bright citrus notes from pink grapefruit. Bitter herbs, toasted almonds and vanilla oak linger underneath.
Finish: White pepper and ginger add spice to the finish.
Additional information
Weight | 750 lbs |
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