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Featuring award-winning actress Anna Sawai and the historic Chiso Kimono House, the campaign pays homage to modern Japanese artistry through whisky, nature, and the art of kimono
NEW YORKMay 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The House of Suntory, the founder of Japanese whisky, today announced the launch of its first-ever global campaign, “The Masterpiece of Japanese Artistry,” inviting consumers worldwide to experience key elements of Japanese culture through whisky, nature, and contemporary art. The campaign marks the debut of internationally renowned, award-winning actress Anna Sawai as the first-ever global ambassador for Hibiki, connecting tradition and modernity through a rare collaboration with Chiso Kimono House, one of Japan’s oldest kimono houses.
At the heart of the campaign is a hero film that draws parallels between kimono-making and whisky blending—two crafts shaped by time and precision. Sawai stars as the global ambassador for Hibiki, wearing a kimono from the historic Chiso Kimono House, featuring traditional yuzen dyeing techniques and seasonal patterns inspired by Japanese landscapes. In the hero film, a butterfly lands on Anna’s hand, echoing the pattern of the Chiso kimono. Subtle yet symbolic, it becomes a thread throughout the campaign. The butterfly features the kokimurasaki (purple) pattern, echoing Hibiki’s iconic kokimurasaki hue at the bottle’s neck, one of the most noble colors in Japan.
Sawai embodies global influence and a deep understanding of Japanese heritage, serving as a bridge between tradition and modernity, interpreting the quiet power of Japanese culture for international audiences.
“Becoming the first-ever global ambassador for Hibiki feels natural because we share the same reverence for Japanese artistry and the beauty of patience, balance, and detail,” said Sawai. “Hibiki represents a quiet mastery, carefully crafted over time. As an actress, I’m drawn to that same philosophy of craftsmanship, where every choice is deliberate, and every moment matters. Representing a brand that embodies the harmony of nature, time, and human artistry means a lot to me.”
Complementing the hero film are two behind-the-scenes features exploring Sawai’s discovery of Hibiki and the beauty behind kimono-making, as well as how elements like water and time shape both.
The film follows Sawai to the studio of renowned Kyoto washi paper artist Eriko Horiki, who has handcrafted the washi labels adorning every Hibiki bottle since 1989. These labels are an icon of the brand’s visual identity, giving Hibiki its “face,” transforming water, fiber, and time into something quietly beautiful and enduring. Another segment takes place inside the historic Kyoto studio of Chiso Kimono House, where Sawai is shown the intricate kimono she wears in the hero film and key campaign visuals.
Hibiki whisky, known for its refined, complex flavor, is a meticulous blend from Suntory’s Yamazaki, Hakushu, and Chita distilleries, embodying the Japanese concept of “wa”—balance and harmony—through careful craftsmanship.
Campaign content will launch in key markets including the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, the Nordics, Mainland China, Australia, Singapore, Taiwan, South Korea, Spain, India, Canada, Brazil, and Mexico.
For more information on the new campaign and to view the hero film, click here to visit us online.
Instagram @ suntorywhisky_hibiki | # TheMasterpieceOfJapaneseArtistry
About The House of Suntory
The House of Suntory is the founding house of Japanese whisky, beginning in 1923 when Shinjiro Torii built Japan’s first malt whisky distillery in Yamazaki, and continued by his son, Keizo Saji, founder of the Hakushu and Chita distilleries. As Suntory’s master blenders have passed down their craft through generations, Suntory whisky has remained committed to tradition and innovation.
Today, The House of Suntory continues to craft award-winning spirits, including Yamazaki ®, Hakushu ®, Chita ®, Kakubin ®, Hibiki ®, and Suntory Whisky Toki™. All are 100% distilled, matured, and bottled in Japan, fully compliant with the standards of the Japan Spirits & Liqueurs Makers Association (JSLMA). The House of Suntory also includes Roku™ Japanese Gin, Haku™ Japanese Vodka, and Kanade Japanese Liqueurs, reflecting over a century of Suntory’s dedication to craftsmanship, quality, and innovation.
In 2025, Yamazaki ® made history by becoming the first brand to win Supreme Champion Spirit for three consecutive years at the International Spirits Challenge, and in 2024, Chief Blender Shinji Fukuyo was named Master Blender of the Year. The Osaka Spirits & Liqueurs Craft Distillery, home to Roku Gin, Haku Vodka, and Kanade Japanese Liqueurs, further upholds this legacy and was awarded the Liqueur Producer Trophy at the International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) in 2025. The House of Suntory will open the Osaka Craft Distillery to the public for the first time in 2026.
About Suntory Global Spirits
As a global leader in premium spirits, Suntory Global Spirits inspires the brilliance of life by creating rich experiences for people in harmony with nature. Renowned for its high-end whisky craftsmanship, including Jim Beam ® and Maker’s Mark ®; Japanese whiskies such as Yamazaki ®, Hakushu ®, Hibiki ®, and Toki™; and leading Scotch whisky brands including Laphroaig ® and Bowmore ®, the company also produces leading brands such as Tres Generaciones ® and El Tesoro ® tequilas, Roku™ and Sipsmith ® gins, and is a world leader in ready-to-drink cocktails with brands like -196™ (Minus 96) and On The Rocks™ premium cocktails.
Suntory Global Spirits is a global company with approximately 6,000 employees in nearly 30 countries, guided by its core values of Growing for Good, Yatte Minahare, and Giving Back to Society. The company’s Proof Positive sustainability strategy includes ambitious goals and investments to drive sustainable change and create a positive impact on the planet, consumers, and communities. Headquartered in New York City, Suntory Global Spirits is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan. For more information, visit www.suntoryglobalspirits.com and www.drinksmart.com.
Enjoy responsibly.
Hibiki ®, 43% Alc./Vol. © 2026 Suntory Global Spirits, Inc. 11 Madison Ave 12th Fl, New York, NY 10010