Hibiki whisky was launched in 1989, in order to commemorate Suntory’s 90th anniversary. The Hibiki line is not only Japan’s most highly awarded blended whisky, but it has been recognised internationally numerous times with countless awards and stands tall as a proud bastion of Japanese whisky-making prowess.
Rather beautifully, ‘hibiki’ means resonance in Japanese, and this speaks to the artistic sensibility of the product. Hibiki was born in the form of a blend that was the result of sampling and tasting aged malt whiskies from one million casks at Suntory. The current incarnations are made from a blend of more than 30 individual malt and mellow grain whiskies, and the final blend is topped off with a whisky aged more than 30 years. This concludes a process that sees the master blender taste over 300 malt whisky samples a day. From its inception to its current forms, Hibiki’s craft and method reflects its core ideologies of harmony and resonance with a caring and precise vision.
The Hibiki ideals are not forgotten when it comes to presentation, much like the careful blending process, each element is assembled to reflect Japanese culture, and to convey Japanese tradition. Each aspect has the unmistakable character of Japanese aesthetic, such as the painstakingly handcrafted Echizen paper label, the careful calligraphy or the packaging, with 24 facets to represent the ancient Japanese lunar calendar. Even the presence of purple is deliberate, for it’s regarded as Japan’s most noble color, and so a purple ribbon encircles the neck of each elegant decanter bottle accordingly.
Having mapped its own identity within the Suntory name, Hibiki has gone from strength to strength as a brand. Heck, it was actually featured in a fake commercial in the film Lost In Translation (2003), in which the quite brilliant Bill Murray stars. But then you knew that already, didn’t you?
A respectful, distinctive and superbly individual array of Japanese blended whiskies await you dear reader. You’ll know by now the name Japanese whisky is carving for itself within the international scene, now it’s your turn to become the latest convert. I can’t think of a better place to start than Hibiki.
A stunning 12 year-old blend from Hibiki, some of the whisky has been part-matured in plum liqueur casks. Lovely malt from Hakushu and Yamazaki, plus some aged grain from Chita, this terrific Japanese blend picked up the top prize in its category at the World Whisky Awards 2010.
The 12 year old Hibiki was introduced to the range in 2009, but was discontinued in favour of a new non-age statement Japanese Harmony as the entry level product in 2015.
€850Original price was: €850.€790Current price is: €790.
This is Suntory’s most popular blend, the Hibiki. Launched in 1989, it contains malt whisky from Yamazaki and Hakushu, and grain from the Chita distillery. The 17 year old was joined in the original lineup by a 21 year old and a non-age statement. The latter both still exist in one form or another, but this expression was discontinued in 2018 after unprecedented demand for Japanese whiskies created wholesale stock shortages within even its largest companies.
A fantastic Japanese blend, made with aged malt and grain whiskies from Suntory’s three distilleries. Spicy and sophisticated, this is great for catching people out at blind tastings. Recently awarded a Gold ‘Editor’s Choice’ award from Whisky Magazine and picked up the top prize in its category at the World Whisky Awards 2010.
€115Original price was: €115.€99.99Current price is: €99.99.
Harmony – a rather apt word to describe this well-balanced Japanese blended whisky from the Hibiki range. Hibiki Japanese Harmony is made with malt whiskies from the Yamazaki and Hakushu distilleries, as well as grain whisky from the Chita distillery. The whiskies are drawn from 5 different types of cask, including American white oak casks, Sherry casks and Mizunara oak casks. The blend itself was crafted by the Suntory Whisky blending team, led by Master Blender Shingo Torii. An elegant expression, with wafts of honey, orange, a herbaceous touch or two and light oak.
€115Original price was: €115.€99.99Current price is: €99.99.
Hibiki Master’s Select is a revelation. Whether you’re accustomed to Japanese blended whiskies or not, this sweet and well-balanced expression is sure to give you a jolt, its fruity sherry notes and juicy raisins delighting the palate.
€350Original price was: €350.€290Current price is: €290.
Hibiki Japanese Harmony Master’s Select – Limited Edition is the brainchild of the fourth-generation chief blender, Shinji Fukuyo, who created a blend of more than ten malts and grains from the likes of Yamazaki, Hakushu, and Chita. The whiskies are aged across five different types of cask, before being blended and bottled at 43% ABV.
Developed by fourth generation chief blender Shinji Fukuyo with production overseen by third generation master blender and great-grandson of the founder, Shingo Torii.
This special edition is beutifully decorated, the theme of this bottle is Kacho Fugetsu – Kanji for flowers, birds, breeze, and moon. The design embodies the beauty of Japanese nature.
