Liquor maker House of Suntory has launched its premium craft Japanese vodka, Haku, in Australia.
The new spirit is the latest addition to its premium spirit trilogy, which also includes Roku Gin and Toki Whisky.
House of Suntory said Haku is a tribute to the monozukuri craftsmanship – “the relentless quest for perfection, meticulous attention to detail, and commitment to quality”.
“We are very excited to continue meeting Australia’s demand for Japanese craft spirits through HAKU Vodka. This new House of Suntory spirit allows consumers to experience a new take on a classic, one that challenges the norm and embodies Shinjiro Torii’s perpetual quest for excellence,” Lennart Sipsma, group marketing manager at Beam Suntory Australia said.
House of Suntory said that the process of making the liquor is artfully complex. It starts in Kagoshima with 100 per cent pure Japanese white rice fermented into a koji mash. It is distilled twice before being sent to Suntory’s Liquor Atelier in Osaka, Japan. There it is blended and filtered using the House of Suntory’s proprietary bamboo charcoal method.
“At the House of Suntory, craftsmanship has always translated to sourcing the best ingredients, and elaborating on complex and innovative techniques to create unrivaled quality products. Haku Vodka was developed from a very specific vision, to create a truly authentic and meticulously crafted Japanese product with a distinct and balanced taste,” said Kazuyuki Torii, lead Suntory Specialist (White Spirits).
The liquor company explained that the name stems from the Japanese kanji, meaning ‘white’, from the word ‘hakumai’, translating to ‘Japanese white rice’.
The House of Suntory was founded in 1899 by Shinjiro Torii during the Meiji era, marking the period of modernisation. The liquor maker’s drinks portfolio include Chita, Hakushu, Yamazaki and Hibiki.
Haku Vodka will be available at liquor retailers in Australia from September 2019 for RRP A$65.
