INTERNATIONAL. Premium spirits company Beam Suntory has introduced a travel retail-exclusive collection from The House of Suntory, The Kogei Collection. It features two expressions – Yamazaki Peated Malt Spanish Oak and Hakushu Peated Malt Spanish Oak – with packaging art by Kyoto-based kimono house Chiso.
The range is rolling out in duty-free markets worldwide at a recommended retail price of US$205 for 700ml.
The airport locations include Singapore Changi, Dubai International, London Heathrow, Los Angeles International, Paris Charles de Gaulle, Frankfurt, Amsterdam Schiphol, Istanbul, Shanghai, Beijing Capital International, Haikou, Hong Kong International, Taipei Taoyuan, Seoul Incheon, Delhi Indira Gandhi International, Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International, Hamad International, Sydney, Melbourne and Bangkok Suvarnabhumi airports.
The 2024 Kogei Collection made its global debut on 1 April at the House of Suntory’s inaugural travel retail shop-in-shop boutique at Singapore Changi Terminal 3.
A high-profile outpost installation supporting 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.
On Location: The House of Suntory inaugurates world-premiere shop-in-shop with Lotte Duty Free at Singapore Changi AirportThe Moodie Davitt Report’s Lara Netherlands was on location for the auspicious occasion, which followed soon after the premium spirits company’s 100th anniversary celebrations in 2023 – a momentous landmark not only for Suntory’s legacy but also for Japanese spirits culture. Click here to read the full story.
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An homage to Japanese craftsmanship
Beam Suntory noted: “The word kogei can be translated as ‘traditional Japanese craftmanship’. This collection explores the traditional crafts of Japan through artisan partnerships, with the aim of encapsulating Japanese artistry – a dedication to process, beauty and creativity.”
The Kogei expressions – created in partnership with select Japanese artisans – present a fusion of peated malt and Spanish oak. The limited-edition collection will be refreshed every two years with revamped packaging designs.
The debut 2024 Japanese Kimono editions were created in collaboration with Chiso, a notable Kyoto-based kimono house, which has been crafting Japanese kimonos since 1555.
According to Beam Suntory, Chiso was 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,” the spirits company noted.
Chiso’s patternmakers harnessed the traditional method of bokashi-zome (gradation dyeing) to showcase The House of Suntory’s legacy. The Yamazaki and Hakushu whiskies’ bottle labels and outer packaging feature designs based on actual Chiso kimonos.
The Yamazaki packaging incorporates prints inspired by the Yamazaki Distillery in Osaka, depicting three merging rivers with gold accents.
The Hakushu packaging features silver stamping and the artwork mirrors the southern Japanese Alps that surround the Hakushu Distillery in Hokuto.
‘Endless quest for quality and creativity’
House of Suntory Fifth Generation Chief Blender Shinji Fukuyo employed the art of tsukuriwake – which translates to ‘artisanship through a diversity of making’ – to create the Yamazaki and Hakushu flavour profiles.
Fukuyo started with the peat-smoking of malt from distillers in Islay, then matured the liquids in Spanish oak casks.
Yamazaki Peated Malt Spanish Oak (43% ABV) incorporates notes of dark mocha, raisins and almonds. Fukuyo started with the peat-smoking of malt from distillers in Islay, then matured the liquid in Spanish oak casks for four seasons.
On the nose, the Hakushu Peated Malt Spanish Oak (43% ABV) blends notes of bitter orange marmalade and dark chocolate.
Beam Suntory Managing Director Global Travel Retail Ashish Gandham said: “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 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.”
Beam Suntory Brand Marketing Director Global Travel Retail Manuel Gonzalez added: “The Japanese Kimono editions of our 2024 Kogei Collection are a true embodiment of craft through inspired innovation.
“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.” ✈
