Ao (碧) means "blue" in Japanese — named for the oceans that connect the five countries where this whisky originates. Created by fifth-generation Suntory Chief Blender Shinji Fukuyo, Ao is the first blend of all five major whisky-making regions assembled under a single parent company. Whiskies from seven Beam Suntory distilleries across Scotland (Ardmore and Glen Garioch), Ireland (Cooley), Canada (Alberta Distillers), the United States (Jim Beam), and Japan (Yamazaki and Hakushu) are brought together through Suntory's Monozukuri philosophy — a relentless pursuit of perfection. Unlike Suntory's other blends which prize seamless harmony, Ao is designed to let each region's personality surface distinctly, creating a whisky that evolves and changes as you drink it. The five-sided bottle honors the five whisky nations; the calligraphic Ao lettering was written by Japanese calligrapher Tansetsu Ogino. Bottled at 43% ABV.
ABV / Proof
| Producer |
House of Suntory / Beam Suntory, Japan |
| Chief Blender |
Shinji Fukuyo — 5th generation Suntory |
| Type |
World Blended Whisky — Irish, Scotch, American, Canadian, and Japanese whiskies |
| Distilleries |
Ardmore + Glen Garioch (Scotland) | Cooley (Ireland) | Jim Beam (USA) | Alberta Distillers (Canada) | Yamazaki + Hakushu (Japan) |
| Bottle Design |
Five-sided bottle symbolizing the five whisky nations; calligraphy by Tansetsu Ogino |
| Proof |
86 Proof |
| ABV |
43% |
| Bottle Size |
750ml |
| Country |
Japan (blended from Ireland, Scotland, USA, Canada, Japan) |
Tasting Notes
Color: Amber
Nose: Profound vanilla and pineapple fruitiness with creamy sweetness, orange peel, banana, and a lingering woody depth. Slight smokiness from the Ardmore component develops with air.
Palate: Smooth and sweet with tropical fruit and caramel up front. Cinnamon spice, soft apple, mild peat, and light oak weave through. Each region's character surfaces in waves rather than blending into a single profile.
Finish: Moderately long — woody vanilla, gentle smoke, and spice with lingering fruit sweetness.
FAQ
Is Ao a Japanese whisky?
Ao is assembled and blended by Suntory's master blender in Japan but it is not labelled as Japanese whisky under Japan's updated regulations, which now require all spirit in a Japanese whisky to be produced in Japan. Suntory labels it clearly as a World Whisky — a Japanese-crafted blend of Irish, Scotch, American, Canadian, and Japanese whiskies. The transparency is by design.
Where can I buy Suntory Ao online?
Available here at Liquor On Broadway while stock lasts, with fast, insured shipping nationwide.
