The Chita Suntory

The Chita Suntory is a grain whiskey created by the Japanese company Suntory.

In 1972 Suntory decided to create its first grain whiskey. It named it in homage to the Japanese peninsula Chita. And to create it, they followed the classic Japanese style: looking for the perfect maturation.

The recipe is the creation of the first grain whisky

The recipe is the brainchild of Keizo Saji, Suntory's second Master Blender, who was inspired to follow Shinjiro Torii's vision. The idea, to create a whisky that reflected Japanese craftsmanship and nature. To do this, Keizo set up the Chita distillery on the coast of the eponymous peninsula.

The distillery used the Chita distillery on the coast of the eponymous peninsula

The distillery uses corn grain and a process of continuous distillation with multiple columns. Thus, they create the three distinct types of grain whisky that will give rise to The Cheetah.

First, they produce a strong grain spirit distilled in two columns. Then, a medium-grain spirit distilled through three columns. Finally, the smoothest spirit, distilled through four columns. Some of these whiskies go into the production of Suntory's blends.

The Cheetah

The Cheetah is a stronger spirit distilled through four columns

The Cheetah is aged in three different types of cask. On the one hand, American oak bourbon barrels. It also uses Spanish oak barrels and European oak barrels that have contained wine.

The Chita is aged in Spanish oak barrels and European oak barrels