Japanese Market Suntory started producing whisky, which was not yet a popular drink in Japan, in 1923. Since then, the company has successfully pursued a relentless and comprehensive marketing strategy aimed at forming, and then expanding, markets for its products. Suntory's malt whisky is produced at its three distilleries in Japan, at Yamazaki, Hakushu and Hakushu Higashi. It also produces barley malt at its own facilities. Grain whisky is distilled by Suntory at Usuki in Oita prefecture and by Sungrain Ltd., a subsidiary, at Chita in Aichi prefecture.
Suntory whisky is blended and bottled at eight plants around the country.
The distillery was Japan's first and produces a medium-body malt whisky, with a distinctively rich aroma and deep flavor, regarded as the traditional Yamazaki type. The distillery was refurbished in 1989 and now also produces a variety of other malt whisky types. Annual output capacity is 26,000 KlA from 24 pot stills. Hakushu Higashi Distillery Built on the same site as the older Hakushu Distillery in 1981, this distillery has an annual output capacity of 6,000 KlA from 12 pot stills. The malt is fermented in a wooden tub, with a top-fermentation yeast.