One Night in Toki-O Brings the Biggest First-of-Its-Kind Japanese Experience to Mumbai
11.12.2024 - 13:36:49
by Toki Suntory Whisky is a window into the timelessness of Japanese culture, where “Old meets New Japan.” The evening brought the streets of Tokyo to life, blending classic old-world charm with modern flair.
One Night in Toki-O represents a vivid world that is dynamic, playful, and whimsical, offering cultural enrichment through the discovery of a new piece of Japan that is exciting, engaging, and fun. The event was an immersive journey through Japan in all its contemporary glory, interwoven with its rich traditions through a modern, innovative approach.
Toki™ is a blended whisky inspired by Japan’s culture, heritage, and future-forward outlook. It is a fusion of three storied brands from Suntory's portfolio - Yamazaki, Hakushu, and Chita - creating a blend that excites whisky enthusiasts and beginners alike. Representing the best of old and new, Toki™ Suntory Whisky blends the rich legacy of The House of Suntory with Japan’s cultural traditions and modern spirit, resulting in a groundbreaking and timeless whisky.
Rohan Jelkie, Brand Advocacy Head at Suntory Global Spirits in India, expressed excitement about bringing this unique event to Mumbai. He added, “The evening wasn’t just about honouring Japan’s cultural legacy; it was about creating an experience that was lively, sincere, and full of inventive craftsmanship. From the energetic vibe to the nuanced flavours of Toki™ Suntory Whisky, every detail was designed to evoke the joy and ingenuity that Suntory pours into its craft.”
At the event, the essence of Japan came alive, offering attendees a journey into the heart of Japanese culture. The evening began with bar takeovers by Santosh Kukreti from Onrique Mumbai, where guests explored Suntory’s rich heritage and the art of the Japanese Highball—a simple yet refined way to enjoy Toki whisky, beloved in Japan. Toki Suntory Whisky has been instrumental in popularizing the highball, making whisky more approachable for consumers in Japan and worldwide.
The night had a vibrant celebration of culture, music, and flavors, featuring Mumbai’s first vinyl listening bar pop-ups by Wax on Wax Off and Tropical Wax, along with soulful music performances by Palomma, Emanuel, and Sindhi Curry. Adding to the vibrant atmosphere was a cozy listening space by Revolvers Club and an interactive Japanese Art Studio by Dirty Hands Company.
Hosted at Pioneer Hall in Bandra, Mumbai, the event delighted attendees with Japanese Izakaya specialties from Tamari, refreshing matcha creations from Tokyo Matcha Bar and Cafe, and sweet mochi treats by Mochi Co. Offering a captivating blend of music and art, the event successfully immersed guests in the vibrant spirit of Japanese culture.
One Night in Toki-O represents a vivid world that is dynamic, playful, and whimsical, offering cultural enrichment through the discovery of a new piece of Japan that is exciting, engaging, and fun. The event was an immersive journey through Japan in all its contemporary glory, interwoven with its rich traditions through a modern, innovative approach.
Toki™ is a blended whisky inspired by Japan’s culture, heritage, and future-forward outlook. It is a fusion of three storied brands from Suntory's portfolio - Yamazaki, Hakushu, and Chita - creating a blend that excites whisky enthusiasts and beginners alike. Representing the best of old and new, Toki™ Suntory Whisky blends the rich legacy of The House of Suntory with Japan’s cultural traditions and modern spirit, resulting in a groundbreaking and timeless whisky.
Rohan Jelkie, Brand Advocacy Head at Suntory Global Spirits in India, expressed excitement about bringing this unique event to Mumbai. He added, “The evening wasn’t just about honouring Japan’s cultural legacy; it was about creating an experience that was lively, sincere, and full of inventive craftsmanship. From the energetic vibe to the nuanced flavours of Toki™ Suntory Whisky, every detail was designed to evoke the joy and ingenuity that Suntory pours into its craft.”
At the event, the essence of Japan came alive, offering attendees a journey into the heart of Japanese culture. The evening began with bar takeovers by Santosh Kukreti from Onrique Mumbai, where guests explored Suntory’s rich heritage and the art of the Japanese Highball—a simple yet refined way to enjoy Toki whisky, beloved in Japan. Toki Suntory Whisky has been instrumental in popularizing the highball, making whisky more approachable for consumers in Japan and worldwide.
The night had a vibrant celebration of culture, music, and flavors, featuring Mumbai’s first vinyl listening bar pop-ups by Wax on Wax Off and Tropical Wax, along with soulful music performances by Palomma, Emanuel, and Sindhi Curry. Adding to the vibrant atmosphere was a cozy listening space by Revolvers Club and an interactive Japanese Art Studio by Dirty Hands Company.
Hosted at Pioneer Hall in Bandra, Mumbai, the event delighted attendees with Japanese Izakaya specialties from Tamari, refreshing matcha creations from Tokyo Matcha Bar and Cafe, and sweet mochi treats by Mochi Co. Offering a captivating blend of music and art, the event successfully immersed guests in the vibrant spirit of Japanese culture.
About House of SuntorySince 1923, Suntory has been renowned as the pioneer of Japanese Whisky for its House of Master Blenders and for their Art of Blending. Founder Shinjiro Torii built Japan’s first malt whisky distillery in Yamazaki, and the Suntory legacy continued with Torii’s son and Suntory’s second Master Blender, Keizo Saji, 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 has been named four-time Distiller of the Year at the International Spirits Challenge in London, UK (2010, 2012, 2013, 2014). Suntory Whiskies are subtle, refined and complex. The portfolio includes two single malt whiskies: Yamazaki—Japan’s number one single malt, multi-layered and profound, and Hakushu—verdant, fresh, and delicately smoky; and two blends: the noble blend, Hibiki—Japan’s most highly awarded blended whisky and Suntory Whisky Toki. The House of Suntory portfolio also offers Roku Japanese Gin and Haku Japanese Vodka. Created from Japanese ingredients by the master artisans at the House of Suntory, Roku Gin and Haku Vodka represent the nature and spirit of Japan.
About Toki™ Suntory Whisky
Toki™, meaning ‘time’, is a concept that is deeply-woven into the Japanese way of life - a concept rich in meaning the world over, yet especially in Japan, where regard for convention and re-evaluation starts an amazing inventive vitality. The House of Suntory’s fourth Chief Blender Shinji Fukuyo was inspired to create a blend that is both groundbreaking and timeless, leading him to take a fresh approach with Toki™. By bringing the grain component of the blend from the Chita distillery, where the heavy-type grain spirit is distilled only twice on column stills, and is vanilla-rich with a sweet undertone in its unblended state. Shinji-san sourced the malt component from the Hakushu distillery, which produces light, fruity malt similar to many Speyside distilleries. The unique pairing of Hakushu American White Oak Cask malt spirit with Chita heavy-type grain spirit overturns the traditional hierarchy between malt and grain. These seemingly dissimilar but deeply accordant spirits, together with select Yamazaki malts for additional depth and complexity give rise to the exquisite, silky taste, distinctive character and bold innovation of the blended Toki™ Suntory Whisky. This year, Toki Suntory Whisky has been awarded Gold in the Tasting Awards - Japanese Whisky category at the International Spirits Challenge 2024. This esteemed recognition reaffirms Toki Suntory Whisky’s status as a distinguished whisky in its category, marking yet another significant milestone among the more than 20 international awards it has received.
