[UPDATE] Beam Suntory has launched Suntory World Whisky ‘Ao’ in *global travel retail.

The liquid (43% ABV) is blended using whisky from five of the most renowned distilleries in Japan, Scotland, Ireland, Canada and the US.

Available across 16 markets and retailing at €65/$71, Ao is described as capturing the ‘heathery flavour’ of Ardmore and Glen Garioch; ‘the complexity’ of Cooley; ‘smoothness’ of Alberta; ‘vibrance’ of Jim Beam; and ‘subtlety’ of Yamazaki and Hakushu.

Notes of vanilla, tropical fruit and cinnamon are refined by the individual climate, fermentation and distillation process in each whisky-making region, says Beam Suntory.

MONOZUKURU CRAFTSMANSHIP

Fifth generation Suntory Chief Blender Shinji Fukuyo chose the liquids according to Suntory’s globally recognised Monozukuri craftsmanship: ‘a relentless pursuit of perfection, meticulous attention to detail and commitment to quality’.

TRBusiness attended a virtual tasting of the new liquid hosted today (29 October) by Beam Suntory Global Head of Marketing Travel Retail Ed Stening and Mike Miyamoto, House of Suntory’s Global Brand Ambassador.

Guests were given a history of the House of Suntory before being guided through the tasting of Ao and five associated samples by Miyamoto.

After its formation in 2014, Beam Suntory became the first whisky producer in the world to own distilleries in each of the five major regions: Canada, Japan, US, Scotland and Ireland.

The concept around Ao was given to Fukuyo in 2016 whereupon the final blends were created.

To generate attention in travel retail, Ao is being presented via Suntory’s wallbays at points of sale across the world.

Ed Stening, Global Head of Travel Retail Marketing at Beam Suntory International said: “This is a truly innovative whisky that blends five very different distilleries’ greatest assets and unique crafts.

“We couldn’t be more excited to share ‘Ao’ with our customers and bring some exciting innovation to the global travel retail world.”

Sho Semba, Head of Suntory Spirits added: “In recent years we’ve seen a huge increase in demand from customers across the world who want to experience Japanese whisky.

“We are confident that whisky enthusiasts will enjoy the unique flavour created by this unique Japanese blended whisky, which originates from around the world.”

*Ao can be found in GTR in the following markets: US, Canada, Australia, China, Dubai, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Netherlands, Singapore, Taiwan, Turkey, UK, Ireland, India and South Korea.

This is an update of an article published originally on 16 October.