🥃 Suntory Global Spirits
Spirits division of Japan's Suntory Holdings, headquartered in New York; formed in 2014 when Suntory acquired Beam Inc.; called Beam Suntory until 2024.
Suntory Global Spirits is the spirits division of the Japanese group Suntory Holdings, headquartered in New York. It was formed in 2014, when Suntory Holdings acquired the American Beam Inc.; until 2024 it was called Beam Suntory. According to the company, its products are sold in 69 countries.
History. The company combines two long traditions. The American one dates from 1795, when Jacob Beam sold his first jug of whiskey. The Japanese one dates from 1899, when Shinjiro Torii opened the Torii Shoten store in Osaka. Construction of the Yamazaki distillery began in 1923 and the Hakushu distillery was established in 1973. In 1953 Bill Samuels Sr. bought the distillery known today as Maker's Mark.
Headquarters. The global headquarters opened at 11 Madison Avenue in New York in 2022. According to the company, it has more than 6,000 employees.
Brands. The company's own pages name, among others, Jim Beam, Maker's Mark, Baker's, Knob Creek, Basil Hayden's, Laphroaig and Bowmore (whose distilleries are on Islay), Canadian Club, Sauza tequila and the Japanese whiskies Yamazaki, Hakushu and Hibiki.
Why this matters to you. The name Beam Suntory can still be seen on older bottles and in sources, but it is the same company. Brands of one group are subject to different rules, so read the page of each brand. The WHO reminds us that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption.
Facts
| Year founded | 2014 — purchase of Beam Inc. by the Suntory group (Suntory from 1899, Osaka; Beam from 1795, Kentucky); the name Suntory Global Spirits dates from 2024 |
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How it connects to Spirits
🥃 Suntory Global Spirits → kind of → 🥃 Spirits
Links
- Next step
- 🥃 Jim Beam, 🥃 Maker's Mark, 🥃 Baker's, 🥃 Old Crow, 🥃 Laphroaig, 🥃 Bowmore, 🥃 Auchentoshan, 🥃 Glen Garioch, 🥃 Ardmore, 🥃 Teacher's
- What it affects
- 🍷 Alcohol and health
- Traditions
- 🧑🤝🧑 Japanese
- Part of
- 🥃 Spirits
- Related to
- 🌍 North America, 🌍 East Asia
Frequently asked questions
Is it true that Beam Suntory and Suntory Global Spirits are different companies?
No. It is the same company: in 2024, ten years after Suntory Holdings acquired Beam Inc., Beam Suntory changed its name to Suntory Global Spirits.
When did Suntory buy Beam?
In 2014. Then the American Beam Inc. became part of the Japanese Suntory Holdings.
Who owns Suntory Global Spirits?
The Japanese Suntory Holdings; Suntory Global Spirits is its spirits division.
Which Scottish distilleries does the company name on Islay?
According to the company, Laphroaig and Bowmore.
Where is Suntory Global Spirits headquartered?
In New York: the global headquarters opened in 2022 at 11 Madison Avenue.
What to read next
- 🍷 Alcohol and health — Alcohol in any drink is harmful in large amounts, and the risks grow with the quantity.
- 🌍 North America — US and Canada: 9.5 million US cows gave 232 billion lb of milk (2025); Wisconsin makes a quarter of US cheese; Canada runs on dairy quotas.
- 🥃 Glen Garioch — A distillery and single malt whisky brand in Oldmeldrum, Aberdeenshire; founded in 1797; now mostly unpeated; part of the Suntory group.
- 🌍 East Asia — A region in the east of Asia — China, Japan and Korea: milk became an everyday food only in the 20th century, but there are old traditions such as rushan and so; China ranks third in the world for vineyard area.
- 🥃 Teacher's — Teacher's Highland Cream, a Scotch blended whisky from Glasgow; the brand was registered in 1884; about 45% malt whiskies; the heart of the blend is peated Ardmore.
Similar
🥃 Brown-Forman · 🥃 Heaven Hill Brands · 🥃 Sazerac Company · 🥃 Bacardi Limited · 🥃 Edrington · 🥃 Rémy Cointreau
⚠️ Spirit drinks contain alcohol and are for adults only. Alcohol harms health. Do not drink during pregnancy or before driving; check the label for ingredients and possible allergens.
Sources
- Suntory Global Spirits: About (HQ 11 Madison Ave, New York, opened 2022; Beam Inc. acquired 2014; Jacob Beam 1795; Torii Shoten, Osaka 1899; Yamazaki construction begins 1923; Hakushu 1973; Maker's Mark distillery bought 1953; sold in 69 countries; brands)
- Suntory Global Spirits: Beam Suntory rebrands to Suntory Global Spirits (30.04.2024; previous name Beam Suntory; ten years since the acquisition of Beam Inc.; more than 6,000 employees)
- WHO/Europe: No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health (04.01.2023)