In 1923, Suntory launched its Yamazaki brand, the first whisky distillery in Japan, which employed methods learned from studying distilling techniques in Scotland. Celebrating its 100th anniversary last year, Suntory has a handful of Japanese whisky brands under its belt, including the aforementioned Yamazaki and arguably the most recognizable label, Hibiki, which is set to release its most premium offering ever.

Not a Secret Anymore

When you compare it to the centuries-old practices of Irish, Scottish, and American whiskey industries, Japanese whisky is the young man in the room. However, over the past century, the nation’s distilleries have honed their crafts to perfection. And today, what was formerly a well-guarded secret among enthusiasts has now entered contention as the best in the world thanks to brands such as Yamazaki and Hibiki.

Old Man Game

Since 1997, the oldest whisky in Hibiki’s catalog was its 30-year-old blended whisky, which has garnered hefty price tags on the secondary market, even despite a $5,000 suggested retail price. 

Well, its newest offering has matured for an entire decade longer. The label’s oldest expression ever, the Hibiki 40-Year is a blend of five malt and grain whiskies from a trio of Suntory distilleries, including Yamazaki, Hakushu, and Chita. 

From Yamazaki, we get single malt whiskies distilled in 1978, 1980, and 1983, aged in either American oak, Spanish oak, or mizunara oak barrels. The liquid from Hakushu was the oldest in the blend — a peated single malt from 1974. Meanwhile, Chita supplied a pair of grain whiskies from 1979 and 1981. 

Remember, the age statement on a given expression must not be higher than the youngest liquid in the blend. As such, the Hibiki 40 also features whisky as old as 49 years — half a century!

Once blended, the expression aged for six more months, supervised by fifth-generation Master Blender Shinji Fukuyo, who’s been with Suntory for 40 years this year. It was then bottled at 43% ABV.

If you thought $5,000 was a lot to spend on a bottle of whisky, check out the $35,000 sticker price on the Hibiki 40. If you’re lucky enough to try this blend, you’ll experience “aromas of Japanese loquat, lemon peel, and clove alongside flavors of acacia honey and dry fig.”

Presentation Is Everything

If you’re readying to pay 35 C-notes on a whisky expression, you probably don’t need any convincing. However, to make the expression feel even more luxurious, Suntory has housed it inside a crystal glass decanter with 30 facets around the side, mother-of-pearl inlays, and gold lacquer. It comes in a box constructed from 12 different types of Japanese wood.

Spec Sheet

Pricing & Availability

Limited to just 400 bottles, the Hibiki 40 is priced at $35,000 and will only be available in select markets. Head over to Suntory’s website to learn more.

Hibiki 40-Year Whisky

Suntory’s Hibiki just launched its oldest whisky, blending liquid between 40 and 49 years old from the brand’s biggest distilleries.