The House of Suntory, the Founding House of Japanese Whisky, has officially introduced its new and inaugural global travel retail exclusive Yamazaki and Hakushu Kogei Collection (2024 Japanese Kimono Edition).
A Testament to Japanese Craftmanship
The word ‘Kogei’ can be translated as ‘traditional Japanese craftmanship’. Accordingly, this collection explores the traditional crafts of Japan through selected artisan partnerships, with the aim of encapsulating Japanese artistry – a dedication to process, beauty and creativity. The new whiskies, launching this month, showcase a harmonious fusion of peated malt and Spanish oak.
Created in partnership with selected traditional Japanese artisans, this limited-edition collection will be refreshed every two years with new packaging designs.
An Artful Partnership with Chiso Kimono House
Honouring timeless artistry and tradition, the debut 2024 Japanese Kimono Edition was created in collaboration with Chiso, Kyoto’s preeminent Kimono House, who have been crafting the finest Japanese kimonos since 1555. A natural choice for this collaboration, the house is known for its timeless patterns, which take shape through colours and motifs, to become a composition of both old tradition and new techniques.
Chiso’s pattern-makers harnessed the traditional method of Bokashi-zome (gradation dyeing) to imbue the distinctive story of the House of Suntory, and these unique Yamazaki and Hakushu whiskies, into the bottle labels and outer packaging.
Featuring designs based on actual Chiso kimonos, the Yamazaki packaging incorporates intricate prints inspired by the serene Yamazaki distillery, with the depiction of three merging rivers evoking a sense of calmness. Gold accents, reminiscent of drifting clouds, add a touch of elegance. The Hakushu packaging mirrors the lush Japanese Southern Alps that surround the Hakushu distillery. This design features silver stamping, designed to call to mind forest clouds and delicate kimono threads.
The Travel Retail Roll-out
The 2024 Kogei Collection comprises two whiskies: the Yamazaki Peated Malt Spanish Oak and the Hakushu Peated Malt Spanish Oak. Both are being introduced into selected airport doors worldwide, with an RRSP of US$205 for 700ml.
The airport locations include Singapore Changi, Dubai International, London Heathrow, Los Angeles International, Paris CDG, Frankfurt, Amsterdam Schiphol, Istanbul, Shanghai, Beijing Capital International, Hainan, Hong Kong International, Taipei Taoyuan, Seoul Incheon, Delhi Indira Gandhi International, Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International, Hamad International, Sydney, Melbourne and Bangkok Suvarnabhumi.
The 2024 Kogei Collection made its global debut on 1 April, at the House of Suntory’s first ever travel retail shop-in-shop boutique, at Singapore Changi Terminal 3. The first high-profile outpost installation to support the launch will go live at Dubai International at the end of May, followed by Singapore Changi and London Heathrow in July. Smaller-scale airport activations are also planned for Los Angeles, Shanghai, Hainan, Doha, Sydney, Paris and Delhi.
The Yamazaki and Hakushu Kogei Expressions
The art of “Tsukuriwake’, which translates as ‘artisanship through a diversity of making’, allowed master blender Shinji Fukuyo to push the boundaries of both the Yamazaki and
Hakushu profiles. The product of Shinji’s creative craftmanship, these single malts from the Yamazaki and Hakushu distilleries use peated malt and maturation in Spanish oak casks to enhance and deepen their unique flavour profiles, producing a colourful spice character with gentle smoky notes.
Dark amber in colour and bottled at 43% ABV, the Yamazaki Peated Malt Spanish Oak limited edition incorporates creamy notes of dark mocha, raisins and almonds. On the palate, the whisky offers a deep smooth smokiness, enhanced with rich, roasted cacao. The profound long finish features bittersweet caramelised baking spices.
To add depth to the Yamazaki signature flavours, Shinji started with the peat-smoking of malt from distillers in Islay, then matured the liquid in Spanish oak casks, ageing through the four distinctive seasons of Japan, to bring out a selection of unique, colourful spices – and craft a new whisky motif from the brand.
On the nose, the Hakushu Peated Malt Spanish Oak limited edition (43% ABV) blends rich floral notes of bitter orange marmalade and softly smoky dark chocolate. On the palate, the dark amber liquid offers an elegant smokiness, balanced with sweet, subtle citrus, leading a lingering yet clean finish with gentle smoke and tartness.
To add depth to the Hakushu signature flavours, Shinji started with the peat smoking of malt from distillers in Islay, to gain a deeper grain character with richer floral notes. The liquid was then matured in Spanish oak casks, to create a Hakushu with drier smoke and undertones of fruity sweetness.
Beam Suntory Global Travel Retail Managing Director Ashish Gandham noted: “The Kogei Collection is a new milestone for our whisky portfolio – and for the travel retail channel – and illustrates perfectly our commitment to combining premiumisation with sought-after exclusives.
“These two very special collectible whiskies are a testament to The House of Suntory’s legacy of craftmanship – and to our endless quest for quality and creativity. I’m very excited to introduce these releases to the global travel retail channel – the only market chosen to carry exclusive Yamazaki and Hakushu expressions.”
“The Japanese Kimono Editions of our 2024 Kogei Collection are a true embodiment of craft through inspired innovation,” commented Beam Suntory Brand Marketing Director Global Travel Retail Manuel Gonzalez. “I’m sure these exceptional expressions will capture the imagination of whisky lovers and collectors, and drive engagement and trade-up for us and our retail partners.”
