Suntory’s New Toki Japanese Whisky Has an Infusion of Peat

(Photo: Suntory)

On Thursday, Suntory Whisky Toki has launched its first limited-edition expression, Toki Black, which blends Hakushu Peated malt and Hakushu Grain for a lightly smoky profile. The Japanese whisky is available now at select retailers for a suggested retail price of $39.99 per 750-milliliter bottle.

The release marks the first new Toki expression in a decade. Masaki Morimoto, president of The House of Suntory, said the launch highlights the brand’s balance of tradition and innovation.

“The name ‘Toki,’ meaning ‘time,’ represents a deep part of Japanese culture—where reverence for tradition meets bold innovation,” Morimoto said in a news release.

Toki Black is bottled at 86 proof, and the brand says it’s designed for sipping neat or mixing in classic cocktails such as a Toki Ginger Sour. The whisky opens with aromas of baked apple, oregano and honeysuckle, followed by butterscotch, clove, cinnamon and toasted rosemary. Its finish includes white pepper, ginger and soft smoke.

The launch also includes a creative collaboration with Grammy-nominated American producer Terrace Martin and Japanese jazz artist Ryota Nozaki, known as Jazztronik. Together, they produced a short film and vinyl release inspired by Jazz Kissa café culture and the Japanese philosophy of Ichigo Ichie, or the idea that each moment is unrepeatable.

“This project was more than just making music—it was about capturing a moment that can’t be repeated,” Martin said. “Ryota and I set out to blend spontaneity with intention, tradition with experimentation, and create a record that lives in the spirit of now—just like the whisky that inspired it.”

The House of Suntory confirmed that Toki Black meets the Japan Spirits & Liqueurs Makers Association (JSLMA) standards for Japanese whisky labeling, which require distillation, maturation and bottling in Japan.

Founded in 1923, The House of Suntory is known for Yamazaki, Hakushu, Hibiki and Chita whiskies. The company celebrated its centennial in 2023 and continues to export its products worldwide.