The founder of Suntory, Shinjiro Torii, decided to begin whisky-making with a passionate desire to "create a perfect whisky that reflects the nature of Japan and the spirit of Japanese craftsmanship." His decision led him to embark on the difficult business of authentic domestic whisky-making that no one had ever attempted at the time. The history of Suntory whisky and the history of Japanese whisky began by the fearless challenge undertaken Torii, who embarked on whisky-making after prevailing against the opposition he faced.