Five major whisky-making regions helped create the first-ever world blended whisky

 

 

The first-ever world blended whisky was made with whisky from top five most renowned distilleries.

Beam Suntory, the third largest producer of distilled beverages worldwide behind Diageo and Pernod Ricard, has announced the launch of the first-ever world blended whisky, Suntory World Whisky ‘Ao’, exclusive to global travel retail.

‘Ao’ is the first innovative whisky launch in global travel retail since the coronavirus pandemic began. Blended using whisky from five of the most renowned distilleries in Japan, Scotland, Ireland, Canada and the US, ‘Ao’, meaning blue, is named after the oceans that connect the distilleries together. With notes of vanilla, tropical fruit and cinnamon, it is the distinctive climate, fermentation and distillation processes in each whisky-making region that give the whisky its unique taste.

Fifth generation Suntory chief blender, Shinji Fukuyo, selected each liquid based-on Suntory’s globally-recognised Monozukuri craftsmanship – a relentless pursuit of perfection, attention to detail and quality. Building on Suntory’s history of craftsmanship, this innovative, premium blended whisky embodies the spirit of Suntory and is a tribute to the liquid’s long history.

Shinji Fukuyo said: “Ao is an exceptional whisky which, through the art of Suntory blending, allows you to enjoy the unique characteristics of all five major whisky-making regions.”

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 this exciting innovation with global travel retail.”