Hibiki 17 Year Old
⏳ Drinking Window
As a distilled spirit, it does not mature further in the bottle and can be enjoyed immediately or kept indefinitely when stored upright in a cool, dark place.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
dark chocolate, roasted duck, blue cheese
✨ Technical Specifications
While classified under 'Other' due to its status as a distilled spirit rather than a grape wine, Suntory's Hibiki 17 Year Old is an internationally acclaimed masterpiece of Japanese blending. Launched in 1989 to mark Suntory's 90th anniversary, Hibiki—which translates to 'harmony' or 'resonance'—is a meticulous blend of malt whiskies from the Yamazaki and Hakushu distilleries, combined with grain whiskies from the Chita distillery. These spirits are aged for at least 17 years in various casks, including rare Japanese Mizunara oak, which lends a signature sandalwood and incense character. The bottle features 24 facets, representing the 24 Sekki (seasons) of the traditional Japanese lunar calendar. Famously featured in the film 'Lost in Translation,' this legendary expression was suspended in 2018 due to extreme stock shortages, making it a highly sought-after collector's item.
🍾 About the Producer
Established in 1899 by Shinjiro Torii as Torii Shoten in Osaka, Suntory is the pioneer of Japanese whisky and one of the world’s preeminent drinks conglomerates. Guided by Torii's defining philosophy of 'Yatte Minahare' (go for it), the house constructed Japan’s first malt whisky distillery at Yamazaki in 1923, chosen for the pure soft water where three rivers converge at the base of Mount Tennozan, followed by the alpine, heavily forested Hakushu distillery in 1973. While globally renowned for spirits, Suntory also champions domestic Japanese viticulture, notably cultivating native Koshu and Muscat Bailey A under sustainable viticultural regimes in Yamanashi and Nagano. Distillation and maturation reflect consummate technical precision, utilizing diverse copper pot still profiles and wood regimes spanning ex-bourbon, Spanish sherry butts, and indigenous Mizunara oak. Benchmark expressions include Yamazaki Single Malt, Hakushu, Hibiki, Kakubin, and Japan Premium Koshu, epitomizing Suntory’s dedication to balance, subtle complexity, and ethereal harmony.