JSLMA’s labeling standards for Japanese whisky embraced by Suntory

The House of Suntory has welcomed the implementation of Japanese Whisky labeling standards by the Japan Spirits & Liqueurs Makers Association.
The House of Suntory has welcomed the voluntary designation of ‘Japanese Whisky’ established by the Japan Spirits & Liqueurs Makers Association (JSLMA). Suntory confirms all its exported Japanese whiskies will meet the official designation established by the JSLMA and says the move will safeguard the reputation of the Japanese Whisky category and secure confidence among consumers and trade.
In 2021, JSLMA announced a new set of standards to curb the spread of products misleadingly labelled as ‘Japanese Whisky.’ Labelling standards were enacted on 1st April 2021, with a three-year transition period for members of the association to comply. This action was an important first step toward protecting authentic Japanese Whisky, which has grown into one of the most prestigious spirits categories in the world.
With its rapidly growing popularity, a broad range of whiskies have come to market without an agreed definition of Japanese whisky, which has led to uncertainty among whisky drinkers about the provenance of some of the spirits they enjoy. Respected international competitions are already adhering to the new JSLMA standard with the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and International Spirits Challenge aligning their definitions for Japanese whisky.
To achieve the designation of Japanese Whisky, the water used in the production of whisky must be extracted in Japan; the whisky’s saccharification, fermentation, and distillation must be carried out at a distillery in Japan; the whisky must be distilled to less than 95 percent ABV; spirits must be aged in wooden casks (of no more than 700 litres) in Japan for a minimum of three years; the whisky’s bottling must take place in Japan; the bottled spirit must be at least 40 percent ABV; and plain caramel colouring (E150) can be used in the said whisky.

Suntory Whisky brands which comply with the Japanese Whisky labelling standards are The Yamazaki Single Malt Japanese Whisky, The Hakushu Single Malt Japanese Whisky, The Chita Single Grain Japanese Whisky, Hibiki Blended Japanese Whisky, Toki Blended Japanese Whisky, Suntory Whisky “Kakubin” Blended Japanese Whisky,
Suntory Old Blended Japanese Whisky, Suntory Royal Blended Japanese Whisky,
and Suntory Special Reserve Blended Japanese Whisky.