The richly individualistic raw materials become one in the hands of the blender and are transformed into a unique whisky. The result of the blender’s quest and innovation is Chita, a Suntory whisky made entirely from grain.
1. Manufacturer
Suntory Spirits Co.
| Established | 1899 |
| Headquarters Location | 2-3-3 Daiba, Minato-ku, Tokyo 135-8631, Japan |
| Owned distillery | ●Japan Yamazaki Distillery, Hakushu Distillery, Chita Distillery ●Scotland Ardmore distillery, Glengilly distillery, Auchentoshan distillery, Bowmore distillery, Laphroig distillery ●Ireland Cooley distillery, Kilbeggan distillery ●United States Jim Beam distillery, Maker’s Mark distillery ●Canada Hiram Walker Distillery, Alberta Distillery |
2. Distillery
Suntory Chita Distillery
| Location | 16 Kitahamacho, Chita City, Aichi Prefecture, 478-0046, Japan |
| Start of operation | 1973 |
The Chita Distillery, located on the Chita Peninsula overlooking Ise Bay, is a grain whisky distillery established by the Suntory Group in collaboration with the Zen-Noh Group, and is one of the three domestic whisky distilleries of the Suntory Group, along with the Yamazaki and Hakushu distilleries for malt whisky. Here, corn-based grain whisky has been supported. The Chita Distillery uses continuous distillation to produce three types of grain whisky: clean, medium and heavy, which is unique in the world.
Image Credit: Suntory Chita Distillery Ltd
Image Credit: Suntory Chita Distillery Ltd
For more information about Chita Distillery, please see this article.
https://en.jpwhisky.net/manufacturer/chita_en/
3. Product name and photo
Suntory Whisky Chita
4. Characteristics
Light taste, with a hint of fragrance
Suntory whisky Chita has a light taste and a slightly sweet aroma, which makes it a perfect match for a variety of foods including Japanese cuisine. The charm of Suntory Whisky Chita blossoms with a highball. The name of the highball is “Kazekaru Highball”. While retaining a definite sense of maturity, the drink is as light as the wind. Its fresh and gentle aroma and subtle sweetness enhance the umami. Its sweetness and taste make it a popular choice among women.
4-1. Tasting Notes
| Aroma | Pure and straight, sweet oak aroma |
| Taste | Sweet and smooth on the palate. |
| Aftertaste | Clean, with a hint of sweetness. |
4-2. Product Specifications
| Alcohol content | 43% alcohol by volume |
| by alcohol | Single grain whisky |
| Barrel type | – |
| Contents | 700ml |
| Number of bottles sold | – |
| Suggested retail price | 4,180 yen (tax included) |
| Release date | September 1,2015 |
5. Awards
There is no award history at this time.
6. Price
6-1. Manufacturer’s suggested retail price
Image Source: Suntory Chita Distillery Limited
| Product name | Suntory Whisky Chita |
| Capacity | 700ml |
| Suggested retail price | Tax included: 4,180 yen |
6-2. Resale Price on Mercari
The resale price on Mercari is around 3,500 yen. (*As of April 7, 2021)
6-3. Sold price on Yahoo Auction
The lowest bid price on Yahoo Auction is 2,300 yen, the highest is 5,000 yen, and the average is 2,876 yen (*Statistics for the past 120 days since April 7, 2021)
6-4. Rakuten, Yahoo Shopping, Amazon
Mail order sites sell them for around 3,500 yen to 4,500 yen. (*As of April 7, 2021)
6-5. Price offered at BAR SHINKAI
At “BAR SHINKAI”, which is operated by this website, a glass of 45ml is offered for 1,320 yen .
7. Summary
The charm of “Chita” is that it has a lightness like the wind, yet you can still enjoy the delicate aroma typical of whisky.
When poured into a glass, the aroma is pure and sweet oak. It is smooth and sweet on the palate, and leaves a clean, slightly sweet aftertaste. It can be enjoyed with water, but a highball is recommended. When mixed with soda, the delicate blend of this whisky comes through in a pleasant way.
Please check out the other articles about Suntory.
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.
