Although Merchant’s Heart was introduced to the world in 2015, its beginnings can be traced back to 19th century Japan, where Shinjiro Torii was tirelessly working towards his life-aspiration of making and selling outstanding drinks; delivering equally exceptional drinking experiences. With the realization of Suntory, Shinjiro had successfully translated western drinking sensibilities to the Japanese palette.

Being the constant innovator he was, Shinjiro already had his next mission planned out; to reimagine the purpose of mixers as enhancing agents that truly elevate the experience of drinking premium spirits. The journey that was begun all those years ago, finally found a fitting conclusion with the birth of Merchant’s Heart. Making use of all of Suntory’s assets that included a state-of-the-art drinks laboratory in Madrid, and a heritage of experimentation carried out through the decades, the team started designing a revolutionary new wave of ‘spirit enhancers’.

The ‘Beta Collective’; a small ministry consisting some of the best bartenders in the business was then formed, to test, scrutinise, and perfect the formulations concocted by Merchant’s Heart. Working as a team, the ‘Beta Collective’ and Merchant’s Heart; overlooked by Suntory’s Head of Innovation, conjured up a range of mixers showcasing well-honed flavours and optimum carbonation levels, that Shinjiro would have been proud to call his own.