Suntory invests £28m in extra whisky storage
Suntory Holdings has confirmed plans to significantly expand its ageing capacity for Japanese whisky amid reports of stock shortages across the sector.
Suntory is to expand its whisky ageing capacity with a £28.6m investmentA spokesperson for the company confirmed to The Spirits Business that Suntory will invest five billion yen (£28.6m) in a new building located at its Omi ageing facility in the Shiga Prefecture.
The building will have capacity to hold 130,000 casks of whisky, expanding the group’s total ageing capacity by 10% to 1.26m casks.
The 6,000 square metre warehouse is set to open in the summer of 2015.
Suntory’s expansion plans come as demand continues to outstrip supply in Japanese whisky and a number of producers admit they are suffering stock shortages.
In June last year, Nikka Whisky confirmed its decision to discontinue a number of aged products and replace some with no-age-statements due to shortages at its Yoichi and Miyagikyo distilleries.
Suntory expanded its Hakushu distillery by adding two more stills in 2014 as part of a bid to meet growing demand.
