Suntory Whiskey is back in the global spotlight with a special celebration in Tokyo’s upscale Ginza district. The Japanese beverage company is honoring a major international achievement with this special event. Running through December 30, 2025, the event highlights Suntory’s famous Yamazaki whiskey range.
The celebration follows a historic win at one of the world’s most respected whiskey competitions. At the 2025 International Spirits Challenge in London, Yamazaki 18 Year Old won the Supreme Champion Spirit. This award confirms Yamazaki as a leading Japanese whiskey and a global standard for quality. Keep reading to learn why this win matters for Japanese whiskey worldwide.
A Historic Hat-Trick for Yamazaki
This win is especially important in the competition’s history. Suntory says Yamazaki has won the top prize three years in a row. No other brand has achieved this before. Yamazaki 25 Year Old won in 2023. Yamazaki 12 Year Old followed with a win in 2024.
In 2025, Yamazaki 18 Year Old earned the top honor. This streak shows the skill, care, and creativity behind Suntory whiskey. It also shows Japan’s growing influence in the global whiskey world. Experts agree that Japanese whiskey now stands among the best in the world.
Celebrating in the Heart of Ginza
To mark this milestone, Suntory partnered with Hibiya Bar Whiskey-S in Tokyo’s elegant Ginza district. Ginza is known as one of the city’s most refined and famous neighborhoods. The bar also offers an immersive tasting experience celebrating Suntory’s award-winning whiskey legacy. Not to mention, visitors can sample Yamazaki 12-Year-Old and Yamazaki 18-Year-Old whiskies. Guests can also taste three malt components used to make Yamazaki 12 Year Old.
This behind-the-scenes experience also shows how balance and blending shape the Yamazaki style. As a result, prices reflect the rarity and prestige of these whiskies. A shot of Yamazaki 12 Year Old costs ¥3,500 (about $22), including tax. Yamazaki 18 Year Old costs ¥7,600 (about $49) per shot. Reservations are required for 90-minute tasting sessions.
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The Legacy of Suntory Whiskey
Founded in 1899, Suntory has played a key role in shaping Japan’s whiskey tradition. The Yamazaki distillery opened in 1923 near Kyoto and became Japan’s first commercial whiskey distillery. This historic site remains central to Suntory’s identity and craftsmanship today.
Yamazaki whiskey was launched in 1984 and quickly became Suntory’s flagship single malt. It is known for balanced, layered flavors created through careful distilling and aging. The whiskey is made with pure Japanese water and malt aged in various types of wooden casks. These include American oak, Spanish oak, and rare Japanese mizunara oak. Each cask adds unique aromas, textures, and flavor notes to the final whiskey.
Yamazaki 18 Year Old stands out for deep complexity, rich fruit notes, and a smooth finish. These qualities helped it earn top honors at the International Spirits Challenge. A 700-milliliter bottle costs ¥55,000 (about $365) before tax, reflecting its quality and rarity.
A Global Spotlight on Japanese Whiskey
The Ginza event happens as interest in Japanese whiskey grows quickly around the world. More people are discovering and enjoying whiskey made in Japan. Awards like the ISC help individual whiskies stand out globally. They also strengthen Japan’s reputation as a world-class whiskey producer. These honors show Japan now competes with the best whiskey makers worldwide.
For Suntory, this award reflects decades of hard work and dedication. It honors their focus on quality, innovation, and respect for tradition. Hosting the celebration in Ginza makes the achievement even more special. Ginza is famous for luxury, culture, and global influence. The location highlights the importance and prestige of the award.
The event is open to local guests and international visitors. Guests can experience this award-winning whiskey up close. It is a rare chance to taste one of the world’s most respected whiskies. The elegant setting matches the whiskey’s global status and reputation.
An Experience Worth Savoring
For whiskey fans, the Suntory Ginza event is more than a simple tasting. It is a celebration of history, skill, and global recognition. Suntory whiskey continues to win major awards around the world. These awards showcase the care and effort that go into every bottle. Events like this help visitors connect with the whiskey’s story.
Guests can learn about how the whiskey is made. They can also discover what makes Suntory’s flavors special. The experience brings the awards to life in a memorable way. Reservations can be made through the bar’s official website. Spots are limited and may stay full through the end of the year.
For visitors in Tokyo, this event is a rare opportunity. It offers a chance to taste a world champion whiskey in Ginza. The celebration honors Suntory’s long and respected legacy. Have you ever tasted Suntory’s Yamazaki whiskies, and which expression is your favorite? Would you attend a whiskey tasting event like this if you were visiting Tokyo’s Ginza district? Let us know in the comments below!
