The House of Suntory is celebrating its 100th anniversary with a tribute created by Academy Award-winning director Sofia Coppola and starring actor Keanu Reeves, as well as exclusive 100th anniversary editions of its world-renowned whiskies. 

Twenty years after filming Lost in Translation, Coppola returned to Japan to create the Suntory Anniversary Tribute. It 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.

It features actor Keanu Reeves, who is a lover of Suntory Whisky and previously appeared in a Suntory Reserve ad campaign in 1992.

“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,” said Jon Potter, Managing Director of House of Suntory.

“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.”
 
Later this year, Reeves will star in another creative project in partnership with the House of Suntory: a series of documentary shorts from filmmaker Roman Coppola titled: “The Nature and Spirit of Japan.” The series explores Japanese whisky culture inspired by harmony with nature (Wa), elevated by Japanese craftsmanship (Monozukuri) and enjoyed as an authentic Japanese cultural experience (Omotenashi). The docuseries will strike a balance between education and entertainment, aiming to foster a deeper exploration of the House of Suntory and Japanese culture overall. 

“I’m honored to partner with Suntory Whisky again thirty years after our Suntory Reserve campaign,” said Reeves.

“I’m a huge fan of Suntory Whisky, so it’s very special to collaborate in honor of this milestone anniversary.  My admiration for the whisky goes beyond tasting the whisky. It is the elevated Japanese craftsmanship and attention to every detail that makes Suntory Whisky so special. As an actor honing and perfecting my own craft, sharing this process in a docuseries is a thrill.” 

In honor of the centennial, the House of Suntory is releasing several limited-edition whiskies, including  Yamazaki 18 Year Old Mizunara and Hakushu 18 Year Old Peated Malt whiskies. Limited 100th anniversary labels of the flagship Yamazaki 12 Year Old and Hakushu 12 Year Old will also be released for the centennial. 

“Hakushu and Yamazaki whiskies are gifts from our past handed down by generations,” said Fifth Generation Chief Blender Shinji Fukuyo. “It is fitting to release limited editions as part of this incredible milestone, as they represent our relentless pursuit of quality and symbolize our promise to carry our philosophy on for the next one hundred years and beyond.”

The House of Suntory is also investing 10 billion JPY ($77 million USD) to enhance its Yamazaki and Hakushu Distilleries, which are currently closed for renovation and scheduled to reopen later this year.

Watch the Suntory Anniversary Tribute below:

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