Suntory World Whisky Ao blend set to launch

by Melita Kiely

Japanese whisky producer Suntory has unveiled a ‘world whisky’ blend comprising liquid from Irish, Scotch, American, Canadian and Japanese distilleries.

Suntory World Whisky Ao has been bottled at 43% abv and is scheduled to be released on 16 April 2019, priced at RRP 5,000 Yen (US$46). The whisky has been described as having a “complex and rich flavour”, and is recommended to be mixed in a Highball. Japanese whisky is a burgeoning category, but one that is also facing stock shortages due to unforeseen consumer demand. In May last year, Suntory confirmed it would discontinue its Hibiki 17 Year Old and Hakushu 12 Year Old Japanese whiskies “at some point” from 2019 due to stock shortages. For an in-depth look at the Japanese whisky market, see the January 2019 issue of The Spirits Business magazine, out now.