Your Guide to Suntory Hibiki Whisky

Get to know Hibiki Whisky

Hibiki is a whisky crafted by Suntory, a company known for its wide range of products, from Western liquors and beer to soft drinks. Hibiki was introduced to mark Suntory’s 90th anniversary, fulfilling the founder’s vision and realized by the second-generation owner. The whisky was designed to be the pinnacle of Japanese whisky, drawing on decades of expertise.

Hibiki is a blend of meticulously selected whiskies from over 800,000 casks stored across Suntory's three distilleries. It's a masterpiece that reflects both innovation and tradition, with the master blender—a key person in determining the whisky’s flavor—being a direct descendant of the founder.

The characteristics of Hibiki Whisky

Hibiki is a blended whisky made from a variety of unblended whiskies, each produced at one of Suntory's three distilleries, the Yamazaki Distillery in Kyoto, Japan’s first whisky distillery; the Hakushu Distillery nestled in the forests of Yamanashi Prefecture; and the Chita Distillery overlooking Ise Bay in Aichi Prefecture. Each distillery imparts its own distinct character to the whisky, with the Yamazaki Distillery known for its fruity malt whiskies, the Hakushu Distillery for its light and aromatic malt whiskies, and the Chita Distillery for its unique grain whiskies.

Hibiki combines multiple whiskies from these distilleries to create the complex, yet subtle flavor profile, brought to life by the blender’s expertise. The whisky is sold in a decanter with 24 facets, symbolizing the 24 hours of the day and the changing seasons, and is complete with washi paper label adorned with "Hibiki" in calligraphy, giving it a Japanese aesthetic.

Why some popular products were discontinued

Some whiskies in the Hibiki series, mainly the "12 Years Old" and "17 Year Old," have been suspended and discontinued despite their popularity. This is due to a shortage of unblended whiskies that need long-term maturation.

As their names suggest, the Hibiki "12 Years Old" and the "17 Years Old" require whiskies that have been aged for at least that many years. In some cases, even longer maturation is needed. Due to the popularity both domestically and internationally, production hasn’t been able to keep up with sales, even with efforts to increase the number of distillation stills and storage facilities.

The Hibiki Range

There are a number of whiskies in the Hibiki series, including the Hibiki "Japanese Harmony" and Hibiki "Blender's Choice," both of which use unblended whiskies regardless of maturation, and the Hibiki "17 Years Old" and the Hibiki "21 Years old," which use whiskies raged for the number years indicated.

This article will explore the entire Hibiki range, including products that have been suspended or discontinued. It will also cover standard bottles as well as decanter bottles featuring Japanese-style designs, and the highly sought-after Hibiki "35 Years Old," a limited-release whisky that was offered in ceramic bottles and is now nearly impossible to obtain.

Hibiki "Japanese Harmony"

Hibiki "Japanese Harmony" is a whisky crafted with inspiration from Japan’s four seasons, the country’s aesthetic sensibilities, and the skills of Japanese craftsmen. Unlike other products marked by maturation within the range, namely the Hibiki "17 Years Old" and "21 Years Old," "Japanese Harmony" blends whiskies regardless of maturation. It has a soft, deep flavor and a fruity aroma, embodying the harmonious balance that is characteristic of Japanese whisky.

The Hibiki "Japanese Harmony Master's Select" is also available as a limited edition whisky. This blend combines Hibiki "Japanese Harmony" with malt whisky that has been matured in sherry casks. The result is a perfect fusion of fruity aroma and smoothness, enhanced by the rich sweetness and depth imparted by the sherry casks, giving it a bolder flavor.

Hibiki "12 Years Old" (discontinued)

Hibiki "12 Years Old" is a mild and smooth whisky made from a blend of malt whisky and grain whisky, each aged for over 12 years. What sets this whisky apart is the inclusion of malt whisky matured in casks that previously held umeshu (Japanese plum wine,) giving it a unique character among Suntory’s whiskies, which are known for their sweet and fruity aroma. The blend also includes malt whisky aged for over 30 years, adding richness and depth to its flavor. Unfortunately, Hibiki "12 Years Old" has been discontinued.

Hibiki "17 Years Old" (currently suspended)

Hibiki "17 Years Old" was released in 1989 to commemorate Suntory's 90th anniversary. This whisky is a blend of malt and grain whiskies that have been matured for over 17 years and undergo a post-maturing process to enhance quality and consistency before bottling.

The result is an exquisite combination that brings out a sweet, fruity, and mature aroma, complemented by a smooth, deep flavor with a long-lasting aftertaste. Unfortunately, Hibiki "17 Years Old" has been suspended due to high demand exceeding Suntory’s production capacity.

Hibiki "21 Years Old"

Hibiki "21 Years Old" is a blend of malt and grain whiskies aged for over 21 years. The harmonious blend of these long-matured whiskies provide a deep, refined richness that perfectly complements its floral aroma, sweet dried fruits, and spicy notes.

This smooth whisky leaves a lasting aftertaste and has been recognized as an outstanding whisky in all categories at international competitions judged by whisky experts. It is widely regarded as Suntory's whisky masterpiece.

Hibiki "30 Years Old"

Hibiki "30 Years Old" is a blend of malt and grain whiskies aged for over 30 years. It is a limited-quantity product, with only a few thousand bottles produced each year. It’s often compared to a precious gem because of its rarity and the meticulous craftsmanship involved in its creation.

The bottle has 30 facets—the most in the Hibiki series—giving it a jewel-like appearance. It’s regarded as Suntory's masterpiece in the Hibiki lineup, though its limited availability makes it hard to obtain.

Hibiki "Blender's Choice"

Hibiki Blender's Choice is a whisky from the Hibiki series created specifically for restaurants. It features a blend of whiskies chosen regardless of maturity from a wide selection of casks, with unblended whisky aged in wine casks added as a finishing touch and then blended expertly. The result is a whisky with a sweet, deep flavor that pairs perfectly with its fruity, smooth aroma and a slightly bitter aftertaste.

Where to buy Hibiki Whisky

You can buy Hibiki Whisky directly at liquor stores but also at supermarkets, convenience stores, and online. However, with the recent surge in popularity of Japanese whisky, it can be in short supply, making it challenging to find the exact whisky bottle you are looking for.

When buying online, be cautious as prices can be significantly higher than regular retail. Bottles like the Hibiki "21 Years Old" and "30 Years Old", as well as the discontinued Hibiki "12 Years Old" and Hibiki "17 Years Old," may be particularly hard to find at their original prices. You may also want to check tax-free shops, as they sometimes carry limited-edition Hibiki bottles.

Get your hands on Japan’s popular Hibiki Whisky

Hibiki is a must-try for any whisky fan. While some varieties may be difficult to obtain, if you see it at a tax-free shop, be sure to get a bottle. The bottles with 24 and 30 facets, featuring washi paper labels, make memorable Japanese souvenirs that are not only visually striking but also delightful to drink.

*The information in this article, such as prices and business hours, was accurate at the time of publication but is subject to change. Please refer to the official website(s) for the latest information.

*Consuming alcohol under the age of 20 is prohibited by Japanese law, and these regulations also apply to international visitors and foreign residents in Japan. Please enjoy alcohol responsibly and don’t drive after drinking. Please also check the alcohol import allowance of your country before bringing them back into your country.