Founded in 1899, the Suntory brand originated from the dream of Shinjiro Torii, who, at the age of twenty, aspired to create original Japanese beverages inspired by the richness of Japan’s nature and the craftsmanship of “monozukuri” — a philosophy that emphasizes the pursuit of perfection, attention to detail, and high quality. Overcoming numerous challenges, he made his dream a reality by establishing the production of wine, whiskey, and brandy, as well as launching Hermes Vodka — the first Suntory Vodka in 1956.
Today, we proudly present the Japanese craft vodka Haku. The name Haku® symbolizes the origin and craftsmanship behind this premium vodka. The kanji (Japanese character) for Haku® translates to “white.” However, the Japanese language gives this character multiple meanings. If read as “shiro,” it simply means “white,” but in the context of “haku,” it takes on a deeper significance. It is rooted in the term “hakumai” (白米), which refers to Japanese white rice — the core ingredient of this beverage. At the same time, “haku” is associated with the concept of “Junpaku” (純白) — purity and brilliance, reflecting the dedication to craftsmanship, which involves meticulous filtration through bamboo charcoal to achieve an unmatched smooth, silky finish.
First, the white rice is fermented with a special starter culture to create a mash, which is then distilled through stills to produce rice spirit. This process takes place in Kagoshima, on the island of Kyushu — a region renowned for its traditional methods of producing rice spirit. The spirit is then distilled a second time using two different methods to provide rich aroma and body, after which it is blended and filtered at Suntory’s distillery in Osaka. This unique production process for Suntory preserves and enhances the delicate, sweet, and subtle flavor of the rice.