THE HOUSE OF SUNTORY LAUNCHES ULTIMATE “TOKI® HIGHBALL SUMMER” WITH FIRST-EVER TRIP TO
TOKYO CONTEST
Toki Instagram Contest Gives U.S. Fans Chance to See Tokyo, the Birthplace of the Modern Highball Cocktail, Safely in the City’s Prime – Redeemable in 2022
Chicago, IL (July 1, 2021) – The House of Suntory, the founding house and a pioneer of Japanese Whisky, is thrilled to kick off the ultimate Toki® Highball Summer with its new campaign, the #SuntoryTime “Next Stop: Tokyo” social media contest. For the first time ever, the company is offering a once-in-a-lifetime chance for one lucky fan and a guest to win a trip to Tokyo – the birthplace of the authentic Japanese Highball cocktail made with Suntory Whisky. The trip will take place in 2022 only after leisure travel from the U.S. to Japan is deemed safe.
With Tokyo as a focal point of the upcoming summer events, the #SuntoryTime contest is designed to celebrate the Highball, the popular and refreshing three-ingredient cocktail that originated in the “Torys” pubs known for after-work gatherings in Tokyo in the 1950s. Since then, Japanese bartenders have perfected the art of the Highball with unrivaled attention to detail, creating the perfect balance of crisp carbonation and delicious flavor, served at ice-cold temperature for maximum refreshment. Suntory Highballs are now found not only in the bustling izakaya (pubs) in Japan but in the greatest whisky bars all over the world, including on draft from the signature Suntory Toki Highball Machine, which blends ice-cold whisky and soda straight from the tap.
“This summer, all eyes will be on Tokyo and we’re thrilled to offer fans of Suntory Whisky Toki the chance to experience first-hand the birthplace our incredible blended Japanese Whisky and its signature cocktail, the famous Toki Highball,” says Jon Potter, Managing Director for the House of Suntory. “We can’t wait to see how our fans will get creative with their own takes on the Suntory Experience as they enter the contest on Instagram.”
To enter, U.S. residents 21 and older can log into their Instagram accounts to post a photo of their own “Suntory Time” experience with a Toki Highball, along with a creative caption highlighting their experience and tagging @SuntoryToki. Entries will be judged on creativity and originality of the photo, photographic quality and creativity of the caption. The full list of rules and regulations can be found HERE.
The Grand Prize winner will receive an immersive trip for two to Tokyo including five days and four nights at a luxury resort, a tour of the Yamazaki Distillery – the birthplace of Japanese Whisky, invitations to exclusive Suntory Toki events along with a cash stipend of $2,500. Fifty (50) First Prize Winners will receive a Suntory Time Highball Kit inclusive of two highball mugs, ice mold, Japanese peeler, cocktail jigger and bar spoon to make their own ultimate Highball. Contest submissions close on August 14, 2021. No alcohol will be awarded as part of the prize.
In addition to entering the “Next Stop: Tokyo” contest for a chance to win, fans can follow along for all things celebrating highball culture at the website hub https://house.suntory.com/en/na/highball including photos, recipes, demo videos, custom Suntory Highball art made by Tokyo based illustrator Tatsuro Kiuchi, and even a highball-inspired Spotify playlist.
TOKI HIGHBALL RECIPE:
1 part Suntory Whisky Toki®
3 parts soda water
Fill glass with large ice blocks or spear to chill. Add Toki, stir to cool whisky and glass. Add soda water, use spoon to lift ice for ultimate carbonation. Garnish with grapefruit peel (optional).
ABOUT THE HOUSE OF SUNTORY
Since 1923, Suntory has been renowned as the pioneer of Japanese whisky for its House of Master Blenders and for their Art of Blending. The founding father of Japanese whisky Shinjiro Torii, built Japan’s first malt whisky distillery in Yamazaki, and the Suntory legacy continued with Torii’s son, Keizo Saji, Suntory’s second master blender who continued to establish distilleries including the Hakushu distillery. As the generations of Suntory’s master blenders carry on, Suntory Whisky remains committed to heritage and innovation. The House of Suntory Whisky has been named four-time Distiller of the Year at the International Spirits Challenge in London, UK (2010, 2012, 2013, 2014).
whisky.suntory.com @suntorytoki #suntorytime
ABOUT BEAM SUNTORY
As a world leader in premium spirits, Beam Suntory inspires human connections. Consumers from all corners of the globe call for the company’s brands, including the iconic Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark bourbon brands, Suntory whisky Kakubin and Courvoisier cognac, as well as world renowned premium brands including Knob Creek, Basil Hayden’s and Legent bourbon; Yamazaki, Hakushu, Hibiki and Toki Japanese whisky; Teacher’s, Laphroaig and Bowmore Scotch whisky; Canadian Club whisky; Hornitos and Sauza tequila; EFFEN, Haku and Pinnacle vodka; Sipsmith and Roku gin; and On The Rocks Premium Cocktails.
Beam Suntory was created in 2014 by combining the world leader in bourbon and the pioneer in Japanese whisky to form a new company with a deep heritage, passion for quality, innovative spirit and vision of Growing for Good. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Beam Suntory is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan. For more information on Beam Suntory, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit www.beamsuntory.com and www.drinksmart.com.