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Our People
The House of Suntory is defined by its people: artisans who shape spirits with humility, precision, and care.
The Art of The Japanese People
The best Japanese artisans never add or take away, only heighten the beauty and spirit that lives deep within every ingredient. They are humble enough to acknowledge that their art can only be as great as the intrinsic richness of each ingredient. There is humility within their art, whether in the blending or the distillation is guided by Monozukuri, the meticulous devotion to making things well. At every stage in creating the whisky, this relationship between their Japanese craft, nature and humility inspires their uncompromising pursuit of taste.
Omotenashi: Hospitality, Personified
In Japan, Omotenashi is a form of hospitality expressed through sincerity and attention to detail. It is a call to anticipate needs before they are spoken, and to offer with quiet grace rather than display. It lives in the people who serve: those who observe, prepare, and refine the moment so others can simply enjoy it. It is not performance, but care—creating ease through thoughtfulness, restraint, and respect.
At House of Suntory, Omotenashi is practiced by our people at every touchpoint: from the makers and master blenders who shape balance and nuance with the drinker in mind, to those who present, pour, and share our whiskies with quiet precision. In the end, it’s a human craft expressed in the smallest details. Omotenashi honors the occasion while offering a distinctly Japanese sense of refinement with every pour.
The Pioneer: Shinjiro Torii
(1879-1962)
Legendary Founder Shinjiro Torii has been embraced throughout history with many names. Nicknamed, the nose of Osaka, Shinjiro Torii is a true pioneer that paved the way to create Western-Style Liquors to suit the Japanese palate. Shinjiro is Japan’s first Master Blender and the Father of Japanese Whisky. But most importantly, what consistently drove Shinjiro was his desire to enrich the lives of the Japanese people with the spirit of Yatte Minahare – a never give up attitude for challenging market conventions and pioneering change.
Torii began by importing Spanish wines, only to learn that their bold flavors did not resonate with local tastes. That hard lesson led him to create his own original blend: Akadama (Red Circle) Port Wine, launched in 1907, marked with a red sun motif. Its success helped him establish the Osaka Plant in 1919.
The success of Akadama Port Wine encourages Shinjiro to bet on his dream. A dream to create an original Japanese whisky blessed with the riches of Japanese Nature and Craftsmanship (Monozukuri). Despite the resistance of his family and colleagues, Shinjiro invests his whole fortune to start construction of Yamazaki Distillery – Japan’s first malt whisky distillery in 1923. Through trial and error, Shinjiro finally succeeded in 1937, launching a Suntory Whisky that would eventually be nicknamed “Kakubin” (“square bottle”) by the people of Japan. Today, Kakubin remains the #1-selling Japanese whisky by value in Japan. **Source: IWSR 2022
The Culturalist: Keizo Saji
(1919-1999)
Renowned Haiku poet, Patron of the Arts, and Second Generation Master Blender, Keizo Saji inherited his father’s vision and expanded a local Osaka business into what would become Suntory. Born in Osaka in 1919, he became president of Kotobukiya in 1961 and, in 1963, renamed the company Suntory Limited—a tribute to the success of Suntory Whisky Kakubin.
Under Saji’s leadership, Suntory grew not only in scale, but in purpose. In 1961, he established “Giving Back to Society” as a defining pillar and opened the Suntory Museum of Art in Tokyo. In 1986, he founded Suntory Hall in Akasaka—widely regarded as one of Japan’s most prestigious concert halls—deepening the House’s long-standing commitment to culture.
As Second Generation Master Blender, Keizo remained committed to his father’s vision of creating original whiskies blessed with the riches of Japanese nature and craftsmanship (Monozukuri), and built the Chita Grain Distillery in 1972 and the Hakushu Malt Distillery in 1973. 61 years from the construction of the Yamazaki Distillery, Keizo was able to launch the much awaited Yamazaki Single Malt in 1984. In 1989, Keizo commemorated the 90th anniversary of Suntory with the launch of Hibiki meaning “Resonance or Harmony with Nature” —a reflection of Wa, the harmony between nature and people that defines the House. In 1994, 5 years before his death, Keizo introduced Hakushu Single Malt and successfully completes the luxury portfolio of Suntory Whisky.
The Purist: Shingo Torii
Shingo Torii is the grandson of Shinjiro Torii and the Third Generation Master Blender of the House of Suntory. Shingo is most often credited as the man that took Suntory to the global stage. It was his undeterred commitment to quality, and his “no compromise” attitude that elevated the House to be synonymous with its award winning reputation. Shingo is said to be seldom satisfied. A purist at heart, relentless about getting things right. Shingo tirelessly commits himself to consistently better the qualities of Suntory Whisky day in and day out.
That effort paid off in 2003, when Yamazaki 12 Years Old was awarded the prestigious gold medal at the International Spirits Competition in the UK. This widely covered event changed not only the history of Japanese whisky but the history of whisky itself. 2003 finally put Japanese Whisky on the map for all whisky connoisseurs. Since then, Suntory Whisky has been named 4 times the Distiller of the Year at the ISC, making Suntory Whisky one of the prestigious offerings from House of Japanese whisky.
Under Shingo’s leadership and vision, the House of Suntory has continued a legacy of heritage and innovation, consistently challenging conventions and pioneering change with its elaborate artisanship and devotion to producing the highest quality Japanese spirits.
Craft and Philosophy
Suntory spirits embody the harmony that exists between Japanese nature and Japanese people. This unique fusion establishes our craft as an art form.
Our History
The history of House of Suntory is the history of our founder Shinjiro Torii. He dreamt of creating subtle, refined, yet complex whisky that would suit the delicate palate of the Japanese and enhance their dining experience.
Our Distilleries
A century ago, our first whisky distillery was founded near Kyoto, a region known for its clear, beautiful waters. Yamazaki Distillery soon became known as the birthplace of Japanese whisky, and since then several more distilleries have opened – each with its own innovative approach to finely crafted spirits.
Since 1923, our Master Blenders have harnessed the beauty of Japan’s purest waters to craft enchanting spirits. Explore our full range of gin, vodka and whiskies.
