Inspiring the brilliance of life

The Kilbeggan® Irish Whiskey Distillery is established, reportedly the world's oldest and longest operating distillery. 

Jacob Beam sells his first jug of whiskey, laying the foundations for Jim Beam® Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.

The young, ambitious William Teacher uses his wife’s grocery shop to sell a whisky blended from carefully selected distilleries.

T.W. Samuels builds the family’s first commercial distillery in Samuels Depot, Kentucky.

Don Cenobio Sauza founds a distillery in Tequila, Mexico and takes Sauza® tequila to market.

Shinjiro Torii opens the Torii Shoten store in Osaka, Japan to start producing and selling grape wine. This will go on to become Suntory Holdings.

Construction of the Yamazaki® Distillery begins in Yamazaki, Kyoto. As Japan’s first malt whisky distillery, this is the first step towards production of Japanese whisky. Distillation begins in 1924.

After Prohibition, Jim Beam rebuilds the family distillery, establishing the James B. Beam Distilling Co.

Kakubin® whisky is born following refinements to suit the discerning Japanese market.

Hornitos® Tequila is introduced by founder Don Francisco Javier Sauza, in honor of Mexican Independence Day. The name comes from the ‘little ovens’ used to roast agave.

Bill Samuels, Sr. purchases what’s known today as the Maker’s Mark® distillery and burns the 170-year-old family recipe. He develops a bourbon whisky made with red winter wheat and begins barreling Maker’s Mark.

The Hakushu® Distillery is established at the foot of Mt. Kaikomagatake in Japan’s Southern Alps.

Suntory releases Yamazaki®, its flagship single malt whisky.

Booker Noe rounds out his Small Batch Bourbon Collection with the introductions of Knob Creek®, Basil Hayden’s® and Baker’s®.

Suntory Hibiki 30-Year Old whisky becomes the first Japanese whisky to win top prize at the International Spirits Challenge (ISC) in the United Kingdom.

Jim Beam Bourbon fills its 10-millionth barrel.

Pioneering founders Sam Galsworthy, Fairfax Hall and Jared Brown open London’s first new gin distillery in nearly 200 years, establishing the Sipsmith® brand.

Beam Inc. invests $30 million in its visitor experience and Global Innovation Center in Clermont, KY.

Suntory Holdings acquires Beam Inc. to create Beam Suntory, a world leader in premium spirits.

Maker’s Mark debuts an enhanced visitor experience and invests in its distillery to create a 50% increase in capacity over 2013 levels. This expansion comes after an investment to double capacity in 2012.

House of Suntory launches Toki™ Blended Japanese Whisky. Suntory® Roku gin and Suntory® HAKU® Vodka follow two years later.

Beam Suntory acquires On The Rocks Premium Cocktails, a rapidly growing premium Ready-To-Drink cocktail brand.

Beam Suntory invests $40 million to establish the Fred B. Noe Distillery and to elevate its visitor experience in Clermont KY.

Beam Suntory launches Proof Positive, an enterprise-wide sustainability strategy to support the environment, consumers and communities.

Suntory's New York office and Beam Suntory's global headquarters opens at 11 Madison Ave. 

Beam Suntory rebrands to Suntory Global Spirits to take the organization into the future.