The House of Suntory presents ‘one night in toki-o’ bringing in the essence of old and new japan in Bengaluru

The House of Suntory, the Founding House of Japanese Whisky, recently hosted ‘One Night in Toki-O’, an exciting event aimed at exploring the essence of Japan through creative reinvention. Held in Bengaluru, the evening celebrated the confluence of ‘Old meets New’, featuring Toki™ Suntory Whisky from the iconic portfolio of The House of Suntory.

‘One Night in Toki-O’ is a concept that takes the audiences to the streets of Tokyo, a modern version of Japan where the juxtaposition of old and new sparks creative reinvigoration. A vivid world that is dynamic, playful, and whimsical, providing cultural enrichment through the discovery of a new piece of Japan that is exciting, engaging and fun. In partnership with Toki™, the event captured the essence of Japan by merging its rich traditions with a modern, innovative approach.

Toki™ is a blended whisky inspired by Japan’s culture, heritage, and future-forward outlook. It is a fusion of three storied brands from Suntory’s portfolio – Yamazaki, Hakushu, and Chita – creating a blend that excites whisky enthusiasts and beginners alike. Representing the best of old and new, Toki™ Suntory Whisky blends the rich legacy of The House of Suntory with Japan’s cultural traditions and modern spirit, resulting in a groundbreaking and timeless whisky.

Reflecting on the event, Rohan Jelkie, Brand Advocacy Head, Suntory Global Spirits expressed, “It was a true delight to host ‘One Night in Toki-O’ to bring an experience that celebrates the cultural richness of Japan, blending tradition and innovation much like Toki™ Suntory Whisky. Our aim was to transport attendees to the vibrant streets of Tokyo, offering a sensory fusion where ‘Old meets New’ in every sip and sight. As the evening unfolded, from the immersive Tokyo ambiance to tasting sessions revealing Toki’s intricate layers, each moment reflected the essence of Japanese craftsmanship and modern allure. Beyond celebrating Japan’s cultural tapestry, this event also underscored our brand’s commitment to pushing whisky’s boundaries and defining new standards in immersive experiences for guests to enjoy.”

At the event, the essence of Japan came alive, transporting attendees into the heart of Japanese culture. It began with an intimate mixology workshop by Robert Hospet, Brand Ambassador, South, Suntory Global Spirits delving into Suntory’s rich heritage and its cultural integration. Beyond merely demonstrating the artistry of mixology, the session shed light on the revered Japanese Highball tradition, a drink deeply entrenched in Japanese culture, celebrated for its simplicity and nuanced palate. This resonates deeply with Japanese culture, where the Highball has long been embraced as a popular means to savour whisky. Suntory Global Spirits has always played a pivotal role in popularising the highball as a drink, making whisky more accessible to consumers in Japan.

The guests also enjoyed a vinyl listening session featuring Japanese music that immersed everyone in Japan’s enchanting sounds. The event featured The Toki Art Studio, an interactive screen printing & Hanko stamp workshop along with curated culinary delights inspired by the streets of Japan. The festivities culminated in a mesmerising musical performance, leaving guests with lasting memories of a night infused with the magic of music and art.

Held at Muro, Churchstreet, the event celebrated the rich tapestry of Japanese heritage and contemporary creativity. Through a fusion of interactive workshops, tantalising cuisine, and soul-stirring performances, attendees were transported on a cultural odyssey, discovering the timeless allure of Japan. 

About House of Suntory

Since 1923, Suntory has been renowned as the pioneer of Japanese Whisky for its House of Master Blenders and for their Art of Blending. Founder Shinjiro Torii built Japan’s first malt whisky distillery in Yamazaki, and the Suntory legacy continued with Torii’s son and Suntory’s second Master Blender, Keizo Saji, who continued to establish distilleries including the Hakushu distillery. As the generations of Suntory’s master blenders carry on, Suntory Whisky remains committed to heritage and innovation. The House of Suntory has been named four-time Distiller of the Year at the International Spirits Challenge in London, UK (2010, 2012, 2013, 2014). Suntory Whiskies are subtle, refined and complex. The portfolio includes two single malt whiskies: Yamazaki—Japan’s number one single malt, multi-layered and profound, and Hakushu—verdant, fresh, and delicately smoky; and two blends: the noble blend, Hibiki—Japan’s most highly awarded blended whisky and Suntory Whisky Toki. The House of Suntory portfolio also offers Roku Japanese Gin and Haku Japanese Vodka. Created from Japanese ingredients by the master artisans at the House of Suntory, Roku Gin and Haku Vodka represent the nature and spirit of Japan. This year, the House of Suntory celebrates one hundred years of whisky innovation—a major milestone not only for the brand’s history but for Japanese spirits culture as a whole. To mark this anniversary, the House of Suntory will be rolling out its centennial campaign throughout 2023.

About Toki™ Suntory Whisky

Toki™, meaning ‘time’, is a concept that is deeply-woven into the Japanese way of life – a concept rich in meaning the world over, yet especially in Japan, where regard for convention and re-evaluation starts an amazing inventive vitality. The House of Suntory’s fourth Chief Blender Shinji Fukuyo was inspired to create a blend that is both groundbreaking and timeless, leading him to take a fresh approach with Toki™. By bringing the grain component of the blend from the Chita distillery, where the heavy-type grain spirit is distilled only twice on column stills, and is vanilla-rich with a sweet undertone in its unblended state. Shinji-san sourced the malt component from the Hakushu distillery, which produces light, fruity malt similar to many Speyside distilleries. The unique pairing of Hakushu American White Oak Cask malt spirit with Chita heavy-type grain spirit overturns the traditional hierarchy between malt and grain. These seemingly dissimilar but deeply accordant spirits, together with select Yamazaki malts for additional depth and complexity give rise to the exquisite, silky taste, distinctive character and bold innovation of the blended Toki™ Suntory Whisky.