House of Suntory recently revealed the centennial release of Hibiki 21-Year-Old and a limited-edition bottle design of Hibiki Japanese Harmony that “honors the four seasons and is a nod to the past, present, and future.” The two limited releases mark the latest centennial whisky offerings from Suntory’s anniversary celebration, “honoring a century since founder Shinjiro Torii established Japan’s very first malt whisky distillery in 1923.”
Originally making its debut in 1989, Hibiki is a blend of various malt and grain whiskies from Suntory’s Yamazaki, Hakushu and Chita distilleries. The limited-edition Hibiki 21-Year-Old is a marriage of malt and grain whiskies that, for this special centennial edition, has “rare Mizunara oak is placed at the forefront, profoundly influencing the blend while still maintaining Hibiki’s character and essence.”
“For the limited-edition Hibiki 21-Year–Old, our team took on the challenge of crafting a new blend to celebrate our centennial,” said Chief Blender of Suntory Shinji Fukuyo in a prepared statement. “With meticulous precision, we managed to harness the challenging-yet-rewarding characteristics of Japanese Mizunara oak to accentuate the unique flavor profile for which our Hibiki whiskies are known. This special whisky showcases our continued dedication to craftsmanship at the House of Suntory.”
Official tasting notes for the 21 year old indicate that “tender gold in color, this extraordinary whisky embodies the spirit of ‘Wa,’ or oneness, with enticing aromas. It offers refined and elegant notes of kumquat and jasmine with Japanese incense. The palate is subtly sweet and floral combined with spiced sandalwood and agarwood. The result is a long and deep finish with undertones of spiced Mizunara wood.”
Hibiki 21-Year-Old is bottled at 43 percent ABV, and available globally in select markets with a suggested retail price of $5,000 a 700-ml. bottle.
The House of Suntory’s centennial Hibiki Japanese Harmony bottle design, meanwhile, brings what’s described as “the art of ‘Monozukuri’ craftsmanship to life,” with the centennial edition packaging “featuring motifs of snow, moon and flowers representing Japan’s changing seasons.
“The ‘Kakehashi’ (bridge) depicted on the bottle links Japan and the world to the past, present and future. The water flowing underneath is pure and clear, symbolizing the cleansing of hardships and calamity.”
Official tasting notes for Harmony indicate that, “amber in color, this luminous and delicate whisky presents notes of rose, lychee, a hint of rosemary, mature woodiness and sandalwood on the nose. On the palate, it offers aromas of honey-like sweetness, candied orange peel and white chocolate. The finish is both subtle and tender with a hint of Mizunara.”
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Hibiki Japanese Harmony is bottled at 43 percent ABV, and available globally in select markets with a suggested retail price of $200 a 750-ml. bottle.
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