Glass tumbler with Japanese whisky served on the rocks, accompanied by a single block of cut ice.

Japanese Whisky on the Rocks

Whisky on the rocks is much more than a way of serving it. In Japan, it becomes an act of contemplation. At House of Suntory, every moment is sculpted with precision: the polished glass, the carved ice that slowly reveals the layers of the whisky, its notes of cooked fruit, caramel, sandalwood, and Mizunara (Japanese Oak). Time stands still, and the everyday is transformed into a ceremony of harmony and depth, where each sip whispers the art of balance.

Easy
1-3 minutes
Intense

ingredients and how to craft

What you need

45 Hibiki 21 Years Old

How to serve

Suntory Whisky Hibiki served on wooden tray and next to whisky on the rocks cocktails

For whisky on the rocks recipe, the most critical consideration is the temperature of the glass, and thus the serve itself. If the glass is not cold, fill it with plenty of water and ice; once it's chilled, empty it before preparing the drink.

Another important thing is to use solid ice that doesn't melt easily. If possible, use an ice tray and make fairly large, solid cubes. It's also a good idea to prepare a palate cleanser such as chilled mineral water. For a quick demo on how to handle ice for a whisky on the rocks, watch The Art of Ice — Episode 2.

Step 1

Place a large ice cube in a glass.

Step 2

Pour in whisky.

Step 3

Stir gently with a bar spoon.

Step 4

Prepare a palate cleanser.

Complete your cocktail with

What makes whisky served on the rocks special?

In Japan, serving whisky on ice is not just a choice: it is a statement of intent. The right ice - large, clear, patiently carved - not only cools the drink. By melting slowly, it respects its structure, allows nuances to emerge and accompanies the evolution of flavor sip by sip.

The lower temperature gently reveals the complexity of Hibiki 21 Years Old. Its refined layers — dried apricot, ripe plum, spiced sandalwood, and a lingering note of incense — unfold with grace as the whisky meets the ice. The Half Rocks finds beauty in the right proportion of water and whisky, while Hot Whisky embraces warmth as a gesture of comfort. Each of these ways is a different expression of the same spirit: the search for perfection in the essentials.

Bottle of Hibiki 21 Japanese whisky with a glass of whisky on the rocks, served with a large ice sphere, in an elegant Japanese setting.

More serves you’ll love

See all cocktails

WHISKY COCKTAILS

Toki Japanese Highball

A chilled Japanese highball beautifully highlights the inherent flavor and fullness of whisky while enhancing the taste of various foods. The temperature of the glass, whisky, and soda are crucial, so ensure they are properly chilled beforehand. Even the quality of the ice and the way the soda is poured are fundamental to unlocking all the flavors!

To enhance the fragrance of this Japanese Whisky serve, we recommend using a lemon peel or a grapefruit coin. This will make the highball even more refreshing.

Easy
1-3 minutes
Intense

Serves

Neat

Drinking whisky neat lets you savor it at leisure, relishing the aroma like a true connoisseur as you sip it. You'll love the subtle flavor and pleasurable aftertaste.

Easy
1-3 minutes
Intense

Serves

Whisky And Water

The perfect companion when you're unwinding. Once you get the hang of it you'll make a delicious whisky and water every time. Leisurely enjoy in your favorite glass.

Easy
1-3 minutes
Intense

A glass of Whisky and Water with large ice cube

See all cocktails

Serving up Japanese hospitality

Serving whisky with this dedication is, in itself, an act of reverence. Not only towards the drink, but also towards the recipient and the moment they share. In Japan, this gesture —especially when it comes to whisky on ice— becomes a way of honoring the harmony of the moment. It is not simply a matter of drinking, but of enjoying with attention, with presence.

Every detail matters. The choice of glass, the precision-cut ice, the leisurely pace with which the glass is presented. Everything responds to the principles of monozukuri - devotion to a job well done - and omotenashi, the hospitality that expects nothing in return, but gives everything. At House of Suntory, this philosophy is expressed in every service, in every drop.

Those who wish to live this experience in its purest form can discover it in expressions such as Hibiki Japanese Harmony, where the art of Japanese blending reaches its maximum elegance. Also in Yamazaki Whisky, where the depth of time comes alive in every sip, or in Chita, an ethereal and refined expression that reveals its true essence when served over ice. Because serving, when done with soul, becomes an art form.