There's Something About Suntory

It's summertime here in the Midwest, and for those of you unfamiliar with the dregs of humidity I will direct to imagine a 110 degree sauna. You're wrapped in your towel, drenched in sweat but understanding that you can walk out that door at any moment if it gets too hot. Take that last moment before you give up and walk out. The steam is unbearable, your body is overheating, you're just too damn hot and sticky. Well my friends, that's what it's like here in the in the middle of summer except we have the added benefit of that beautifully unforgiving star that turns my skin into a tomato after 5 minutes.

Thus, it is no surprise that once the heat hit, I went searching for the perfect refreshing summer whiskey cocktail. While, most people associate whiskey with winter; cold nights and a dram of scotch curled up next to a fireplace, I say nonsense! Whiskey is a year round spirit. "Prove it!" you say. Well hot damn, I just think I might.

Ladies and Gentlemen, may I have the pleasure of introducing you to the Suntory Toki, A deliciously light blended Japanese whiskey. Carefully crafted with one particular cocktail in mind, the highball. Refreshing in its simplicity a "highball" is an umbrella term for a basic cocktail consisting of any combination of liquor, ice, soda, ginger ale or any host of other carbonated beverages (i.e. cuba libre, 7&7, jack and coke, and particularly in this case a scotch and soda). Consequently, Suntory's Toki (specifically formulated for a "highball") is what I crave when the temperature reaches an unbearably sticky high.

Furthermore, Suntory Toki, Toki meaning "time" is a blend of malt and single grain whiskys from three Suntory distilleries; Yamazaki, Hakushu, and Chita. With an emphasis on American first-fill bourbon barrels and Spanish oak barrels, the Toki is a particularly light straw color.

Nose: bright and citrusy with grassy hints and slights whiffs of burnt sugar

Palate: a more pronounced grassiness with hints of green tea rounded out with a bit of creamy toasted marshmallow

Finish: not much heat here, with more of that creamy marshmallow which leads to a smooth lingering finish without leaving your tongue feeling heavy.

Neat or on the rocks, the Toki is light, bright and easily drinkable. And when you add a bit of carbonation and finish it with a bit of lemony citrus; the Toki highball is made for sipping on hot summer days. Cheers!

43% Abv

Average Price: around $40