Suntory Custom (1960s Edition)
72cl / 42%
£79.00
- Malt type: Blended
- Region: Japan
Tasting Notes
Cream, Vanilla, and Honey
Soft, Apple Pastry, Honey, Cherry and Shortbread
Short Finish, Cinnamon, Melon, Pineapple and Vanilla
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An extremely rare, discontinued Japanese blended whisky, bottled in an unusual historical volume and strength during the foundation era of the Suntory blend.
At-a-Glance
| Field | Details |
| Distillery / Bottler / Country & Region | Suntory (Implied Yamazaki Malt Component) / Japan |
| Category | Blended Whisky (Blended Malt Whisky also cited in sources) |
| Age / Vintage / Bottled | No Age Statement (NAS) / Late 1960s |
| ABV & Size(s) | 42.0% ABV (84 Proof) / 72cl (720ml) |
| Cask / Treatment | Not stated by the producer. (Likely American/Japanese Oak casks used for Yamazaki malt) |
| Natural Colour | Not stated by the producer. |
| Non-Chill-Filtered | Not stated by the producer. |
| Cask Strength | No |
| Bottle count / Outturn | Extremely Rare, Limited historical production |
| Intended channel | Japanese Domestic Market |
| Packaging | Unique historical bottle shape with the Suntory crest; unusual 720ml volume |
| Notes on discrepancies | The 42% ABV (84 Proof) and 72cl volume are specific to this rare bottling and define its era. |
Historical Context
Suntory, one of the oldest Japanese beverage companies, was established by Shinjiro Torii in 1899, leading to the construction of Japan's first malt whisky distillery, Yamazaki, in 1923. This Suntory Custom bottling dates to the late 1960s, a crucial era when the company relied solely on Yamazaki for its malt component.
This specific product represents a "special one-off" piece of Japanese whisky history, reflecting the style of blends crafted exclusively using Yamazaki malt and grain spirit produced before the expansion of Suntory's distilling portfolio. The use of the unconventional volume, 72cl (720ml), alongside the 84 Proof (42.0% ABV), firmly dates this bottling to a period before volume and strength were standardized, making it highly valuable to Japanese whisky chronologists. Its unique bottle shape, featuring the distinctive Suntory crest, further marks it as a collectible artifact.
Technical Specification & Variant Map
The most important technical markers of this bottling are its era-specific measurements: 72cl volume and 42.0% ABV (84 Proof). The composition is confirmed as a blended whisky. The blend itself is characterized as smooth and soft.
Other vintage Suntory blends from this era, such as "Suntory Old," were also common, but the specific "Custom" label, unique volume, and 84 Proof strength make this particular iteration a singular acquisition.
Variant Matrix
| ABV | Volume | Market | Era cues | Relative desirability |
| 42.0% (84 Proof) | 72cl (720ml) | Japanese Domestic | Unique Bottle Shape, Suntory Crest, Late 1960s | Highest (Specific rare historical bottling) |
| 40.0% (80 Proof) | 70cl/75cl | Domestic/Export | Standard strength, later metric format | Low (Commonplace modern blend specification) |
Packaging & authenticity checklist
Authenticity is verified by checking the specific bottle characteristics which define its era: the precise 72cl volume and the 84 Proof statement. The bottle itself features a distinct, earlier style with the Suntory crest embossed on the back and the cap.
As a bottling from the late 1960s, the primary concern is the integrity of the seal. Buyers must closely inspect the fill level and external packaging condition. Given the extreme rarity, documentation of provenance or confirmation of a high fill level is essential.
Regulatory/terminology notes
The use of Proof (84 Proof) is a key historical indicator, confirming the pre-1980s era of the liquid. The product's category as a Japanese Blended Whisky confirms its production by blending aged malt and grain spirits within Japan, with the malt component originating from Suntory’s Yamazaki Distillery.
Liquid Profile (from verifiable notes)
The profile is consistently described as soft, smooth, and fruit-forward, reflecting the careful early Japanese approach to blending.
Nose: The aroma is gentle and smooth, featuring notes of cream, vanilla, and honey.
Palate: The texture is soft and approachable, with defined notes of apple pastry, honey, cherry, and shortbread.
Finish: The conclusion is short, characterized by lingering flavours of cinnamon, melon, pineapple, and vanilla.
With water: Not stated by the producer. The low bottling strength of 42.0% ABV suggests that the addition of water is not necessary and may potentially thin the delicate character of the blend.
Pricing & Market Dynamics (GBP)
Pricing remains modest compared to modern single malts.
Original RRP (GBP): Not stated by the producer.
Current UK retail range (GBP, incl. VAT): GBP 79.00 (Indicative price from specialist vintage retailer for the 72cl/42% bottle).
Recent UK/EU auction range (GBP, hammer): GBP 32.50 – GBP 65.00.
Price Snapshot
| Channel | Date | Bottle spec | Price (GBP) | Notes |
| Retail (Listing) | Not Stated | 72cl, 42.0% ABV | 79.00 | Specialist vintage retail asking price |
| Auction (Hammer) | 28/10/2018 | Suntory Old (Ref.) | 65.00 | Higher historical hammer price for a related vintage blend |
| Auction (Hammer) | 26/03/2023 | Suntory Custom (Ref.) | 32.50 | Lower hammer price, potentially poor condition or different blend |
Pricing stratification: The unique 72cl volume and verifiable 1960s provenance command a stable premium above the average vintage blend price.
Liquidity & sourcing note: Liquidity is very low due to the extreme rarity of this "one-off" historical bottling. Sourcing is restricted to specialized vintage whisky auctions.
Distillery/Bottler Snapshot
Suntory is celebrated as the pioneer of Japanese whisky, known for its dedication to quality and subtle, harmonious blending style. This specific 1960s bottling relies heavily on the output of the Yamazaki distillery, which provides the soft, complex malt components that define the smooth, distinctively Japanese profile.
Sourcing
Target formats/eras to prefer: Exclusively the 72cl, 42.0% ABV bottling from the late 1960s, identifiable by the 84 Proof marking and unique bottle shape.
Red flags to avoid: Confusion with lower-strength 40% ABV blends, or bottles that do not display the specific vintage volume (72cl) and proof (84 Proof).
Condition thresholds (fill/box/labels): Pristine fill levels (high shoulder or neck fill) and label integrity are critical.
Margin/velocity expectations — qualitative: Velocity is slow. Margins are achieved by capturing the cultural and historical rarity premium.
