Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.(Photo: The House of Suntory)
About a year and a half after the celebration of its 100th anniversary, The House of Suntory has dug deep into its reserves to create a blended compendium of Japanese distillation history.
On Wednesday, the acclaimed whisky producer unveiled Hibiki 40 Year Old, a blend of five malt and grain whiskies sourced from Suntory's three flagship distilleries. Said to evoke feelings of an "ancient Buddhist temple" or library, the expression is the brand's oldest blend to date (and without a doubt, one of its most expensive).
Let's dive into the details:
Yamazaki — Japan's first commercially licensed whisky distillery— contributed liquor distilled in 1978, 1980 and 1983. Barrel types used by Yamazaki reportedly included American oak, Spanish oak and coveted mizunara casks. Hakushu added a Peated expression distilled in 1974, while Chita added grain whiskies produced in 1979 and 1981.
The blend was then rested for six months under the oversight of fifth-generation master blender Shinji Fukuyo. In many ways, Hibiki could be seen as a tribute to his legacy; Fukuyo got his start at Suntory in 1984, a little less than a year after the youngest expression in the blend was distilled. He was appointed to the position of master blender in 2009 and has overseen every Suntory release since.
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This time around, he says to expect aromas of Japanese loquat, lemon peel and clove alongside flavors of acacia honey and dry fig. The expression, bottled at a moderate 43% ABV, has been limited to just 400 bottles retailing at $35,000 each.
“Yamazaki American oak aged whisky is the main element for the overall aroma bringing flavor concentration and purity, while Mizunara and Spanish oak give a bit of accent,” Fukuyo told Food & Wine. “Hakushu’s unique smokiness and aged complexity provide depth, and Chita brings the sweet and smoothness to the liquid. Together, they form a layered and complex profile, where no single note dominates but rather enhances the overall balance."
As is usually the case with five-figure spirits releases, the decanter is a statement piece of its own. The crystal glass bottle reportedly boasts 30 facets decorated with Japanese maki-e, mother-of-pearl inlay and gold lacquer. Its box is made from 12 kinds of Japanese wood, an ode to the months of the year and the many seasons that Hibiki has matured through.
For more information on the release, find the Hibiki 40 Year Old website here.
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