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Toki, Suntory’s new blend of tradition and modernity

by pascal iakovou
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BETWEEN TRADITION AND MODERNITY: THE STRIKING BLEND OF THE SUNTORY HOUSE

THE ADVENT OF A NEW GENERATION OF BLENDS

A land of contrasts and paradoxes, Japan cultivates both a deep respect for the heritage of its ancestors and a fascination for the future. Baron Philippe de Rothschild France Distribution and the House of Suntory present a new whisky inspired by this culture: Toki.

 

IN JAPANESE, TOKI MEANS TIME.

Intergenerational, like a bridge between past and present, Toki represents both authenticity – born of respect for tradition – and innovation – inspired by the quest for renewal and the ability to reinvent oneself. A blend that is simultaneously revolutionary and timeless, meticulously blended from whiskies from the House of Suntory‘s most renowned distilleries : Hakushu, Yamazaki and Chita. Traditionally crafted using House of Suntory blending techniques, Toki combines all the characteristics of a perfect Suntory blend: subtle balance, harmony and unity of flavors.

 

REVOLUTION IN A TRADITIONAL SETTING TOKI TOKI THE BENCHMARK IN MALT-GRAIN BALANCE

Respectful of tradition, Toki nonetheless overturns conventional whisky codes by revisiting the hierarchy of its components. The House of Suntory’s blends usually use Yamazaki malts as their main components. However, by choosing Hakushu malt aged in white oak casks – for its unique freshness, mellowness and spectacular notes of green apple – as one of Toki’s two mainstays, Shinji Fukuyo, 4th generation master blender, adopts a new approach. To sublimate his blend, his second choice is Chita peated grain whisky, bringing clean, silky notes of vanilla. By combining these seemingly different yet complementary whiskies,Shinji Fukuyo reverses the links between malt and grain whisky, creating a blend that is both revolutionary and timeless. Traditionally in House of Suntory blends, grain whiskies are at the base of each blend, playing the role of support or “dashi” to accentuate the notes of the malts. But the complex character and wide range of grain whiskies produced by Maison Suntory at the Chita distillery led Master Blender Shinji Fukuyo to rethink their mission. Thanks to their delicacy, balance and finesse, Shinji Fukuyo wanted to give them a different role, seeing them as true pillars of the blend, rather than mere ingredients to enhance the malts. The unique encounter between Hakushu malt and Chita grain whisky gives Toki its silky taste and lively character. To give it even greater depth and complexity, Shinji Fukuyo has selected two malts from the Yamazaki distillery. The Yamazaki malt, aged in American white oak barrels, brings roundness and softness to the whole, in perfect harmony with aromas of peach and custard. And Yamazaki malt aged in Spanish oak enriches the Toki experience with woody notes, both sweet and bitter, for a lively, silky, balanced blend with a subtly sweet and spicy finish.

AROMATIC PROFILE

COLOR Raw gold

NOSE Basil, green apple, honey

PALATE Grapefruit, green vine, peppermint, thyme

FINISH Subtly sweet and spicy with a hint of vanilla oak, white pepper and ginger.

THE INCREDIBLE ART OF HIGHBALL, A JAPANESE SPECIALTY

Toki’s smoothness makes it exceptionally versatile: enjoy it neat, on the rocks, in a Highball or in cocktails. To appreciate the full subtlety of Toki, Maison Suntory recommends tasting it the Japanese way: in a Highball. “Haibo-ru” in Japanese, the HighBall consists of sipping whisky with sparkling water in a tall glass filled with ice cubes. Chic and refreshing, this type of whisky cocktail was very popular with the Japanese in the 1950s. Since then, as a true ambassador, the House of Suntory has played a major role in the rise in popularity of the Highball among new generations. Fresh and sparkling, HighBall reveals all the aromas of whisky and is traditionally enjoyed with a meal.

To add even more originality to this aperitif moment, it will be accompanied by fine brochettes for a tasty and delicate pairing.

– Fill a tall glass with ice cubes

– Pour a measure of Toki

– Stir to refresh whisky and glass

– Add ice cubes again

– Gently pour in three measures of fresh sparkling water

– Add a squeeze of lemon. All that’s left to do is enjoy.

Cette publication est également disponible en : Français (French)

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