The House Of Suntory has just announced the arrival of Hibiki 40YO: one of the most exclusive and collectible whiskys to ever come out of Japan.
A meticulous blend, ‘Hibiki’ represents Japanese malt-making at its most extravagant: bringing together the best of Suntory’s three historic brands. These include Yamazaki near Kyoto; Hakushu, a unique mountain forest distillery; and Chita — home to outstanding single grain whisky.
Chief Blender Shinji Fukuyo has long held the responsibility of marrying together the company’s most significant mature-age whiskies in order to produce this drop. Throughout Suntory’s 125-year history, only a handful of individuals have been deemed worthy enough to assume the Chief Blender role – of which Fukuyo-san is the fifth.
His famously focused palate has led to a blend where layers of mellow, subtle aroma sit lightly alongside the innate richness of very mature-age spirit. For reference: the youngest whisky included here is at least 40 years old.
Additionally, Hibiki 40YO celebrates the rare complexity that results from using three different, individually unique cask varieties. There are the subtle tonka and cedar flavours of Japanese Mizunara, the raisined sweetness of Spanish oak, and the inimitable cacao-butter-smoothness of wood casks once filled with American whiskey.
On the nose – assuming you’re one of the few devils lucky enough to get up close with a dram of the stuff – you’ll notice aromas of loquat, dried lemon peel, and clove. On the palate, you’ll taste pure acacia honey and dried fig: offering a lengthy, aromatic drive that is distinctive – even when compared with the broader Hibiki range.
As Fukuyo explains, these characteristics do not come at the expense of “the elegance and bloom that is typical of Hibiki”. If anything, this blend’s longer median age means there is still a noticeable “sense of subduedness”. To use the language of Suntory’s famously lyrical Chief Blender, “like that of an old temple, and a wabi-sabi patina.”
It can feel a bit superfluous talking about the packaging of such a rare spirit. Yet, as ever, Suntory has turned the mundane bottle into an object of fascination. The Hibiki range’s signature multifacet crystal decanter makes a welcome return – originally, a nod to the traditional Japanese lunisolar calendar.
Considering the significance of this release, Suntory opted to use a glassmaker, for this Hibiki expression, who is also a known supplier to the Japanese imperial household. Needless to say: with its maki-e stopper and mother-of-pearl inlay, this 30-sided decanter is one you’ll be holding to – long after the liquid inside has been imbibed.
This custom bottle design is also supplemented by a commemorative wooden box: decorated with an original paper label crafted by the Japanese washi artist Eriko Horiki.
As you can imagine, even the considerable expense involved in this whisky’s external packaging means that volumes will be really – and we mean really – scarce. Only 400 editions of Hibiki 40YO will be released globally.
Available in Australia, via select retailers, for $75,000.
This article is presented in partnership with The House Of Suntory. Thank you for supporting the brands who support Boss Hunting.
