House of Suntory unveils limited Hibiki 40 years old whisky  

JAPAN – House of Suntory has announced the release of its oldest whisky to date, Hibiki 40 Years Old, a prestigious blend featuring whiskies aged over four decades.  

This limited-edition whisky combines spirit from Suntory’s renowned Yamazaki, Hakushu, and Chita distilleries, carefully crafted by the brand’s chief blender, Shinji Fukuyo. 

The Hibiki 40 Years Old blend is designed to evoke “the tranquillity of old temples and storehouses,” offering drinkers a refined aromatic experience.  

Fukuyo emphasized the significance of the whisky’s rich history, describing the blend as delivering a “nostalgic warm feeling.” 

In addition to its exceptional liquid, Hibiki 40 Years Old is presented in an intricately designed bottle and packaging.  

Collaborating with Japanese washi artist Eriko Horiki, the whisky’s label is hand-crafted, while the box is constructed from 12 types of Japanese wood, symbolizing the 12 months of the year.  

The bottle is further embellished with traditional Japanese maki-e techniques, gold lacquer, and mother-of-pearl inlay, adding to its luxury appeal. 

Bottled at 43% ABV, Hibiki 40 Years Old is priced at £33,150 (US$35,000), with only a limited number of bottles available through select retailers worldwide. 

The unveiling follows Suntory’s recent launches, including the travel-exclusive Yamazaki Peated Malt Spanish Oak and Hakushu Peated Malt Spanish Oak, part of the brand’s 2024 Kogei Collection. 

Recently, Suntory Oceania has also made strides by opening a new AU$400 million (US$260.8 million) carbon-neutral manufacturing facility in Queensland, Australia.  

This state-of-the-art site will serve as a central hub for the production and distribution of Suntory’s ready-to-drink beverages and energy drinks, supporting its extensive portfolio of over 40 brands. 

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