Hibiki, the beloved Japanese blended whisky brand, has unveiled a record-breaking expression, the oldest ever released in the brand’s history. The Hibiki 40 Year Old is a harmonious blend of whiskies from Suntory distilleries Yamazaki, Hakushu, and Chita.
The Hibiki 40 Year Old will be available in extremely limited quantities in selected markets (including the United States, United Kingdom, and Global Travel Retail) and via selected retailers. The recommended retail price is £33,150, but prices are at the sole discretion of the retailer.
The Making Of The Hibiki 40 Year Old
Blenders at The House of Suntory carefully selected Japanese whiskies from Yamazaki Distillery (the oldest whisky distillery in Japan), Hakushu Distillery, and Chita Distillery. The whiskies were then masterfully blended to produce an expression that is recognizably Hibiki, but with added layers of complexity thanks to the high-age statement.
The casks that were blended to produce the Hibiki 40 Year Old were matured for over four decades and were overseen by a number of blenders and whisky makers during their maturation. It was Suntory’s Chief Blender, Shinji Fukuyo, who crafted the finished whisky.
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The whisky carries notes produced by the famous Mizunara Japanese oak, sweet Spanish oak, and smooth American oak. According to a brand press release, “On the nose, it reveals aromas of Japanese loquat, dry lemon peel, and clove. It unveils flavours of pure acacia honey and dry fig on the palate, culminating in an aromatic aftertaste.”
Fukuyo commented: “I would like people to enjoy the pure aroma that has been sharpened over the years; the tranquillity of old temples and storehouses and the nostalgic warm feeling that accompanies them.”
The Packaging
Japanese washi artist, Eriko Horiki, handcrafted the washi labels that adorn the front of each bottle. The partnership with Horiki was made “to honour Japanese craftsmanship.”
The whisky itself is housed in a crystal glass, 30-facet decanter, crafted by a renowned glassmaker who, according to Suntory, is “a trusted purveyor to the Japanese imperial family.” The bottle is decorated with traditional Japanese maki-e, mother-of-pearl inlay, and gold lacquer. This pays tribute to Hibiki’s heritage as well as adding a premium feel to the bottle.
A wooden box crafted from 12 different kinds of Japanese wood houses the whisky. It has 12 faces, representing the 12 months of the year. The box is also decorated with maki-e lacquer that depicts flowers and grasses throughout the four seasons. These images represent both the past and future of the Hibiki brand.
The 40 Year Age Statement
Japanese whisky has experienced a huge boom in popularity over the last few years, and there is no doubt that demand for premium expressions is also on the rise. Could this be a sign of more incredible age-statement whiskies to come from Hibiki?
