Suntory International, Allied Domecq Spirits introduce ZEN Green Tea Liqueur

02/06/05 Cultural influences from the Far East continue to influence Western palates as a different kind of spirit makes its mark among the discerning cocktail set. Suntory International and Allied Domecq Spirits, North America introduce ZEN Green Tea Liqueur, a unique blend of the finest Japanese green tea leaves, premium herbs and natural flavors; the first super-premium green tea liqueur ever introduced in America. From the ZENTONIC to the ZEN SAKETINI, cocktail connoisseurs can relax and relate with a new kind of ZEN.

With this new super-premium liqueur, ZEN is set to create a new spirits category in the U.S. "Green tea is one of the hottest drinks in America today," said Shin Adachi, vice president, sales and marketing, Suntory International Corp. In recent years, green tea has crossed over from "Asian specialty" to the mainstream, with green tea products from soft drinks, to ice cream, to chewing gum sold by major brands.

For thousands of years, people have enjoyed the mutually exclusive pleasures of green tea and fine spirits. Now, ZEN Green Tea Liqueur brings these separate pleasures together for the first time with its distinctive taste and ideology. Derived from the essence of the ceremonial Japanese Green Tea, this fresh and original liqueur is made from a harmonious blend of the finest ingredients in perfect balance, combining time-honored Japanese traditions of quality and craftsmanship with a modern sense of elegance and style.

ZEN Green Tea Liqueur uses carefully selected Kyoto green tea leaves of the highest grade grown by one of the most famous producers of fine teas in Japan, Marukyu-Koyama-En, which has been cultivating tea for more than 300 years. Infusing neutral spirits with whole and ground green tea leaves, ZEN is then blended in several herbs, such as lemongrass, along with other natural flavors to achieve its exquisite taste.

ZEN is well-suited for today's sophisticated cocktail culture and entices with a distinctive green color, unique flavor and pleasing aroma that stands up well chilled straight, on the rocks, or mixed. Some of New York City's top bartenders have developed ZEN cocktail recipes, which will be featured in prominent establishments around the country.

ZEN cocktails include the ZENTINI, made with one part ZEN, two parts Stoli Citros and a splash of fresh lime juice; the ZENTONIC, with one part ZEN and three parts tonic water; and the ZEN SAKETINI, with one part ZEN and two parts sake.

ZEN will be available in bars, lounges and restaurants across the U.S. One of the world's leading wine and spirits companies, Suntory has gained prominence in the American market with the recent success of its YAMAZAKI Single Malt Whisky and the perennial consumer interest in Midori® melon liqueur. Suntory has already been marketing several green tea liqueurs in Japan, but developed ZEN especially for the U.S. market and tailored it to suit the American palate.

With an alcohol content of 20 percent, ZEN Green Tea Liqueur is light and refreshing. ZEN is stylishly packaged in elegant 750ml bottles priced at a MSRP of $29.99. ZEN Green Tea Liqueur is imported from Japan by Suntory International Corp., New York, NY, and will be distributed by Allied Domecq Spirits, North America, Westport, CT. Consumers are encouraged to enjoy ZEN responsibly.