The House of Suntory, has announced collaborations with Academy
Award-winning Director Sofia Coppola and Actor Keanu Reeves, as part of its 100th
Anniversary celebrations.
The founding house of Japanese Whisky, has also announced a $77
million investment in its Yamazaki and Hakushu distilleries, along with the
release of exclusive 100th anniversary editions of its world-renowned whiskies.
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| Keanu Reeves starring in House of Suntory anniversary tribute |
Twenty years after filming Lost in Translation, Sofia Coppola returned to Japan to create the Suntory Anniversary Tribute. Coppola brings her artistic genius and admiration for Suntory Whisky to life as the creative director of The Tribute that honours Suntory’s illustrious past, present and future.
The Suntory Anniversary Tribute, which features actor Keanu
Reeves - a lover of Suntory whisky and who previously appeared in a Suntory
Reserve ad campaign in 1992, tells the story of the brand’s heritage and
whisky-making legacy over the last 100 years, depicting the meaning of “Suntory
Time” through the eyes of its creator.
Later this summer, Reeves will also star in a series of short
documentary films in partnership with the House of Suntory, titled: “The Nature
and Spirit of Japan” directed by filmmaker Roman Coppola.
The centennial of the House of Suntory began with the
establishment of its Yamazaki Distillery in 1923 - the first and oldest malt
whisky distillery in Japan’s history. Its founder Shinjiro Torii’s 100-year
legacy began with a dream to “create an original Japanese whisky blessed with
the riches of Japanese nature and craftsmanship,” which his grandson Shingo
Torii carries forth today at Yamazaki and its distilleries across Japan.
To mark its anniversary, the House of Suntory is releasing
several limited-edition whiskies that highlight its unique craftsmanship and
their meticulous art of blending, including Yamazaki 18 Year Old Mizunara and
Hakushu 18 Year Old Peated Malt.
Commenting on the news, Jon Potter, Managing Director of
House of Suntory, said: "As the pioneer of Japanese whisky, the House of
Suntory played a significant role in shaping culture and leading craftsmanship
in Japan over the last century. To mark this historic milestone, partnering
with Sofia and Keanu, who are Suntory Whisky fans, makes perfect sense. From
our Fifth Generation Chief Blender Shinji Fukuyo’s striking blends to Sofia and
Keanu’s unique cinematic creations, this commemoration has surpassed all
expectations to celebrate our iconic Japanese whiskies.”
You can watch the Suntory Anniversary Tribute film by
clicking here
Posted by Steve Rush