Japanese whisky maker Suntory has partnered with two Hollywood film icons and introduced new limited-edition whiskies to toast its centennial.
The company has released a Suntory Anniversary Tribute film as imagined by Academy Award-winning director Sofia Coppola and starring actor Keanu Reeves, as well as exclusive 100th anniversary editions of its whiskies. These will be available domestically and in selected travel retail doors.
Twenty years after filming Lost in Translation, Sofia Coppola returned to Japan to create the Suntory Anniversary Tribute. The film tells the story of the brand’s heritage and whisky-making legacy over the last century, depicting the meaning of “Suntory Time” through the eyes of its creator.
The film features actor Keanu Reeves, who previously appeared in a Suntory Reserve ad campaign in 1992. It debuted on 23 May during the Suntory Time 100th Anniversary Global Premiere event in New York City and can be viewed on the House of Suntory website https://house.suntory.com/100-years-anniversary.
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| Keanu Reeves stars in the Suntory Anniversary Tribute film |
"As the pioneer of Japanese whisky, the House of Suntory played a significant role in shaping culture and leading craftsmanship in Japan over the last century,” said Jon Potter, Managing Director of House of Suntory. “To mark this historic milestone, partnering with Sofia and Keanu, who are Suntory whisky fans, makes perfect sense. From our fifth generation Chief Blender Shinji Fukuyo’s striking blends to Sofia and Keanu’s unique cinematic creations, this commemoration has surpassed all expectations to celebrate our iconic Japanese whiskies.”
This summer, Reeves will star in another creative project in partnership with Suntory: a series of documentary shorts titled “The Nature and Spirit of Japan”, directed by Roman Coppola. The series explores Japanese whisky culture inspired by harmony with nature (Wa), elevated by Japanese craftsmanship (Monozukuri) and enjoyed as an authentic Japanese cultural experience (Omotenashi). The docuseries seeks to educate and entertain, aiming to foster a deeper exploration of Suntory and Japanese culture.
"I’m honoured to partner with Suntory whisky again 30 years after our Suntory Reserve campaign,” said Reeves. “I’m a huge fan of Suntory whisky, so it’s very special to collaborate in honour of this milestone anniversary. My admiration for the whisky goes beyond tasting the whisky. It is the elevated Japanese craftsmanship and attention to every detail that makes Suntory whisky so special. As an actor honing and perfecting my own craft, sharing this process in a docuseries is a thrill.”
Travel retail roll-out
In honour of the centennial, the company is releasing several limited-edition whiskies, including Yamazaki 18 Year Old Mizunara and Hakushu 18 Year Old Peated Malt whiskies. Limited 100th anniversary labels of the flagship Yamazaki 12 Year Old and Hakushu 12 Year Old will also be released for the centennial.
These limited editions will be available in selected airport doors from mid-June, supported by a series of immersive pop-up activations and high-profile advertising campaigns. The first hero activation will take place at Singapore Changi T1 departures, from 15 June to 25 July, in partnership with Lotte Duty Free Singapore. This installation will incorporate tastings, interactive digital activities and exclusive anniversary gifts.
The limited-edition anniversary whiskies will also be available at Shanghai Pudong, Dubai, Delhi Indira Gandhi and London Heathrow airports. Activations at these locations will take place from July.
“This centennial is truly a milestone achievement, and we are very much looking forward to collaborating with our travel retail partners to mark this accomplishment,” noted Beam Suntory Brand Marketing Director Global Travel Retail Manuel Gonzalez. “Together, we will really bring the celebrations to life through our planned programme of distinctive airport activations, designed to showcase the very special 100th anniversary editions of these exceptional Japanese whiskies and the art of Japanese whisky.”
The centennial of the House of Suntory began with the establishment of its Yamazaki Distillery in 1923 — the first malt whisky distillery in Japan. The founder Shinjiro Torii began with a dream to “create an original Japanese whisky blessed with the riches of Japanese nature and craftsmanship”, which his grandson Shingo Torii continues today. The House of Suntory is known for its spirits Yamazaki, Hakushu, Chita, Kakubin, Hibiki, Suntory Whisky Toki and Ao, as well as Roku Gin and Haku Vodka.
To mark the anniversary, the House of Suntory is investing ¥10 billion ($77 million) to enhance its Yamazaki and Hakushu distilleries which are closed for renovation and scheduled to reopen this fall.
