Suntory’s “碧 Ao” to go on sale with a new name, contents, and packaging.
“碧 Ao” is a world blended whisky, a blend of the world’s top five whiskys, and the renewal seems to have used a longer aged whisky in the blend to achieve a thicker, more complex and richer flavor.
The name has also been changed to
SUNTORY WORLD WHISKY “碧 Ao”
→SUNTORY WHISKY “碧 Ao”.
1. Renewal details
→”碧 Ao”
“碧 Ao” is the world’s first whisky blended exclusively from the Suntory Group’s own distilleries in the world’s five major whisky*1 producing regions. The brand concept is “碧 Ao”, the color of the majestic and beautiful oceans that connect the world, and has been well received by customers who enjoy premium whisky.
※1 Whiskys produced in the world’s top five whisky-producing countries: Ireland, Scotland, the United States, Canada, and Japan.
The new “碧 Ao” will have a new flavor and packaging to further expand its fan base.
About the new flavor and packaging
The Suntory blender blended only the original whiskys produced in the Suntory Group’s own distilleries in the world’s five major whisky-producing regions, where the Suntory Group produces and controls the quality, to bring out the individual characteristics of each whisky. The blended whisky is characterized by a rich, complex flavor that is woven by the individuality of each country’s whisky. The new product has a deeper, more complex, and richer flavor by using ultra-long-aged Yamazaki malt and bourbon, which have been aged in Spanish oak barrels for more than 30 years and 8 years or more, respectively.
The packaging uses high-quality Echizen washi paper for the label, with a design that weaves together a variety of colors to express the overlapping flavors of various types of sake.
Product Name, Volume, Suggested Retail Price (excluding tax), Alcohol Content
SUNTORY WHISKY “碧 Ao”
700 ml, 6,000 yen, 43% alcohol by volume
350ml / 3,000 yen / 43% alcoholReference: Renewed release of SUNTORY WHISKY “碧 Ao” | Suntory Holdings Limited Press Release
2. About the original sake used
The following is a list of the sake used in the new “碧 Ao” as well as the sake used in the past.
| Japan | Malts from Yamazaki distillery (including those aged for more than 30 years) Hakushu Distillery Malt |
| Scotland | Ardmore Distillery (Ardmore) Glengarry Distillery (Glen Garioch) |
| Ireland | Cooley Distillery (Cooley) |
| Cooley Distillery (Cooley) | Jim Beam Clermont Distillery (Jim Beam Clermont) |
| Alberta distillery (Alberta, Canada) | Alberta Distillery |
The previous “碧 Ao” included these distilleries, but this renewal includes the following new distilleries
Super Long Aged Yamazaki Malt Sake aged for more than 30 years in Spanish oak casks.
Bourbon malt aged for more than 8 years (longer than Jim Beam Black Label)
Bourbon (longer aging than Jim Beam Black Label).
It is unknown how much Spanish oak Yamazaki sake is used, but it is expected to add depth to the lingering aroma.
The 8 year old bourbon is expected to bring more depth to the palate.
3. Summary
“碧 Ao”, like Yamazaki and Hakushu, is now available with a Japanese paper label, reaffirming that it is a special whisky for Suntory.
We would like to compare the new “碧 Ao” with the old one when it is renewed.
Lastly: Recommended Books on Japanese Whisky
If you want to learn more about Japanese whisky, which is a global trend, we highly recommend these books.
(1).Whisky Galore Vol.29 December 2021 issue
In the December 2021 issue of Whisky Galore, published by the Whisky Culture Research Institute, we report on 11 Japanese craft distilleries, including some that are open to the public for the first time, under the title of “Japanese Whisky Craft Frontline,” the first of three consecutive issues. Why did the popularity of Japanese whisky and the craft boom occur? We will examine with interviews. Chichibu Distillery / Chichibu No.2 Distillery / Mars Shinshu Distillery / Mars Tsunuki Distillery / Kanosuke Distillery / Hioki Distillery / Ontake Distillery / Osuzuyama Distillery / Kaikyo Distillery / Hanyu Distillery / Konosu Distillery
(2). Japanese Whisky as an Education for Business
This is a book written by Mamoru Tsuchiya, a world-famous whisky critic and representative of the Whisky Culture Research Institute, titled “Japanese Whisky as a Culture that Works for Business” .
The book covers the basics of whisky, the introduction of whisky to Japan, the birth of Japanese whisky, advertising strategies and the rise of Japanese whisky, and the current rise of craft distilleries. This is a book that summarizes Japanese whisky in a very easy to understand way.
(3). Whisky and I (Masataka Taketsuru)
Masataka Taketsuru, the founder of Nikka Whisky, devoted his life to brewing whisky in Japan. This is a revised and reprinted version of the autobiography of a man who simply loved whisky and talked about himself. The book vividly depicts the days when he went to Scotland alone to study as a young man and overcame many hardships to complete Japanese whisky, as well as his companion, Rita.
(4). A Letter of Challenge from a New Generation Distillery
Launching in 2019. With the world experiencing an unprecedented whisky boom, what were the managers of craft distilleries thinking and what were their thoughts as they took on the challenge of making whisky? This book tells the stories of 13 craft distillery owners, including Ichiro Hido of Venture Whisky, famous for his Ichirose Malt, who inspired the birth of craft distilleries in Japan.
(5). Whiskey Rising
This is the Japanese version of Whisky Risng, published in the US in 2016, with much updated content. Not only does it describe the history of Japanese whisky in detail, but it also includes data on all the distilleries in Japan, including the craft distilleries that have been founded in recent years. The book also includes descriptions of the legendary bottles that have been released, as well as information on bars where Japanese whisky can be found.
