Takara Shuzo Co

Takara Shuzo Co is the main company within the wider Takara Group in Japan, and is a historic manufacturer of saki and shochu. It was incorporated in 1925, however traces it origins back to the beginning of its brewing operations in 1842. Today it owns a portfolio of spirits interests and in 1986 it became the first Japanese business to own a Scotch whisky distillery, acquiring Tomatin in a joint venture with Okura & Co.

The company has owned a controlling stake in the Tomatin Distillery Company in 1998, and markets a range of American whiskey brands - headlined by Blanton's - through its acquisition of its Age International subsidiary in 1992.