Last Updated: 3/12/2021
Blended Japanese whisky has a couple of major problems: it can be very expensive and many aren’t even made in the country. Suntory Toki solves both of these issues by being affordable, widely available, and is actually made in Japan.
In this post, we cover this solid Suntory whisky in detail. You’ll find tasting notes, learn where to get the best price, get pairing and service suggestions, Suntory Toki cocktail recipes, similar whiskies, and more.
Finding & Buying Suntory Toki
Suntory Toki is widely available at retail shops, bars, and restaurants. Prices do vary on the retail side, but not nearly as much as with famous brands like Hibiki and Yamazaki.
Suntory Toki Blended Whisky Price & Where to Find
Many Japanese restaurants and bars carry Suntory Toki. In fact, it may be the most popular Japanese whisky in North America. Even non-Japanese bars will often carry this affordable whisky.
Restaurant (on-premise) prices will vary but expect to pay between $5 and $10 in the US for a 1.5-ounce pour.
A bar cost of 20% comes in at about $6.25 for most markets in the US. Drink prices above $10 should be avoided.
If you want to buy Suntory Toki retail, there are a ton of places you can look. Large retailers like Costco, Total Wine, Binny’s, and BevMo! will likely carry this blended whisky. Many smaller liquor stores and shops will also carry it. Everyone wants some exposure to Japanese whisky and stocking Toki makes sense.
Retailer prices for Toki vary depending on the market. The low end of the price range is around $26 with the upper limit around $40 (1-liter bottle in the US).
Suntory Toki may not be available in Japan. Drinkers should look out for Suntory Kakubin instead.
Online retailers are often competitive, even with delivery fees. This is an enjoyable way to shop for whisky. Below are several sponsored delivery options.
Shop Online Retailers of Toki
If you’re looking for a bottle of Suntory Toki whisky, check out the sponsored retailers below. Prices and availability will vary by location, so please shop around.
We may earn commissions from qualifying purchases.
Suntory Toki Whisky Tasting Notes
Suntory Toki is a slightly aromatic blended whisky with a dry flavor, light body, and crisp finish. The herbal, malty, and fruity notes of the Hakushu are evident, as is the spice from the Chita grain. The influence of American oak is also prominent.
Specific tasting notes include toated and sour grains, honey nut oats, faint caramel, fresh flowers, green apple, white peach, lemon oil, cinnamon, vanilla, fresh-cut grass, thyme, and a touch of brine.
Overall, Suntory Toki blended whisky is drinkable but with a touch of heat. It’s complex for the price, but can’t compete with Hibiki Japanese Harmony in this area. Where it shines is in cocktails or on the rocks.
Recommended Professional Whisky Glasses
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Similar Whiskies to Suntory Toki Blended
Finding Suntory Toki shouldn’t be difficult for most residents of the United States and Canada. However, there are some good alternatives out there.
Mars Iwai 45 and Akashi “White Oak” Blended have relatively similar flavor profiles. Hibiki Japanese Harmony is a more serious (and expensive) blended whisky from Suntory that otherwise has some similarities.
Johnny Walker Red Label is a solid blended Scotch whisky that is also highly recommended.
Food Pairing Toki Blended Whisky
Most drinkers are going to enjoy this blended whisky on its own. However, it does pair with a few different dishes.
Grilled meat like steak, burgers, ribs, and pork chops are pretty good with Toki.
Desserts like creme brulee and apple pie also work.
Finally, mildly smoked cheese and nuts are a nice snack to enjoy alongside Suntory Toki whisky.
Suntory Toki Service Recommendations
Toki can be served simply like on the rocks, mizuwari, or as a shot. A few ice cube is a good choice to lower the temperature of the whisky without too much dilution. Large ice cubes, which melt slower, are another good choice. However, there are more complex and smooth whiskies if you prefer.
Toki cocktails are where this whisky really shines.
Suntory Toki Highball Recipe
The highball is a Japanese whisky cocktail mainstay. Suntory Toki practically begs to be made this way.
It’s important to use a chilled highball glass and very cold soda. Chill the Toki over ice and strain into a pre-chilled glass full of ice. Then while tilting, pour the cold soda down the side. There’s not much need to stir this drink.
A standard pour would be 1.5 ounces of Toki. A 2 ounce pour is also acceptable.
Mineral water like Perrier or Saint-Geron is recommended for a proper highball.
Finish the Toki highball by expressing a lemon swath over the top of the drink.
The forest fragrance variation of the highball adds another layer of complexity. All that’s needed is a cluster of mint tops. Smack them against your palm, rub them around the glass, and finally place them into the ice at the top of the drink.
Get a masterclass in the Japanese whisky highball here.
The Toki Highball Machine
The whisky highball is obviously simple to execute. Still, if you’re serving a lot of these, there’s a machine that does much of the work. Suntory has had whisky highball machines in Japan for decades. They’ve recently caught on in the United States. Expect to pay around $1500 for one.
The Toki highball machine creates super-bubbly soda water and mixes it with chilled whisky. If you sell a ton of highballs, this may pay for itself in the long run.
Suntory Toki Manhattan Recipe
The Manhattan is another whisky cocktail classic. It’s slightly more difficult to make than a highball. This is a boozier drink that allows the whisky to shine, but it’s also important to use quality vermouth.
- 2.5-ounce Suntory Toki
- 0.5-ounce Antica Formula Vermouth
- 3 dash Regan’s Orange Bitters #6
- 3 dash Angostura bitters
Start by chilling a martini or coupe glass. Then in a mixing glass, combine all of the ingredients, add ice, and then stir. As mentioned above, this drink packs a punch, so be sure to stir it a lot for dilution. Finally, strain the cocktail into the chilled glass.
Express an orange swath over the drink and use it for a garnish along with a brandied cherry.
Toki Old-Fashioned Recipe
The Old-Fashioned is yet another classic cocktail. It’s also fairly straightforward to make.
- 2.0-ounce Suntory Toki
- 1 sugar cube or a splash of simple syrup
- 2 dash Regan’s Orange Bitters #6
- 2 dash Angostura bitters
In an Old-Fashioned glass add the sugar cube, bitters, and a splash of water. Muddle the cube to dissolve as much as possible. Add the Toki and ice, then stir.
Express an orange swath over the drink and rub it on the sides of the glass. Use the orange as a garnish and enjoy.
If you’re short on time, you can substitute the water and sugar cube for a splash of simple syrup. You’ll lose some of the grainy texture, but the flavor will be just as good.
Suntory Toki Whisky Sour Recipe
The whisky sour is as classic as it gets. There are a lot of variations, but below is the simplest version.
- 2.0-ounce Suntory Toki
- 0.5-ounce lemon juice
- 0.5-ounce simple syrup
- 3 dash Angostura bitters
- optional egg white
This drink can be served up or on the rocks. We prefer up, and in that case, start by chilling a coupe.
In a mixing glass combine all of the ingredients except the bitters. Add ice and shake hard. If you go the egg white route, dry shake first before adding ice and shaking again. Strain the drink into the chilled glass.
Express a lemon swath over the drink and rub it around the glass, as well. Use this for the garnish and enjoy!
A variation on this drink that we really like is to substitute the 0.5-ounce of lemon juice with 0.25-ounce each lemon and orange juice. Garish this drink with an orange slice.
Suntory Toki Product Info
Whisky Type: Blended Whisky
Components: Majority Hakushu malt and Chita grain; some Yamazaki malt
Cask: American white oak, some Spanish oak
ABV: 43% (86 proof)
About Suntory Whisky
Suntory is the oldest name in Japanese whisky. They started with the Yamazaki Distillery in Osaka. Shinjiro Torii was the owner of the company and the visionary behind Suntory. Masataka Taketsuru, the legendary founder of Nikka, helped build and launch Yamazaki.
Their first whisky, Shirofuda “White Label”, was a flop. Taketsuru-san split to form Nikka. Suntory’s next whisky, Kakubin, would become the company’s best seller. They never looked back.
Suntory Toki is an homage to Kakubin, which isn’t available in the United States.
Related Posts
- The Yamazaki 12 Year: Review and Price
- The Hakushu 12 Year: Legendary Japanese Single Malt Whisky
- Hibiki 21 Year Old: World-Famous Blended Whisky
- The Complete Guide to Japanese Whisky
Follow the Japanese Bar on Social Media
Connect with our latest posts, the newest Japanese beverage info, and get exclusive promotional offers. Level-up your Japanese whisky IQ!
