響

Hibiki is one of Japan’s most celebrated whisky brands, produced by Suntory, the pioneering company behind the country’s whisky industry. Introduced in 1989 to mark Suntory’s 90th anniversary, Hibiki was created as the pinnacle of Japanese blending craftsmanship, a whisky designed to capture the harmony between nature, people, and spirit. The name “Hibiki” translates to “resonance” in Japanese, reflecting its goal of harmonising a diverse range of malt and grain whiskies into a seamless whole.

Hibiki is a blended whisky, but in the Japanese tradition, that term takes on a heightened meaning. Rather than sourcing from different companies, Suntory owns and operates multiple distilleries, allowing its blenders to draw from a wide palette of flavours. Malts from Yamazaki (fruity, rich), Hakushu (fresh, herbal, lightly smoky), and grain whiskies from Chita (smooth, sweet) are combined in precise proportions. This gives Hibiki its signature depth and balance.

One of Hibiki’s most distinctive elements is its maturation process. The blend incorporates whisky aged in a variety of cask types, including American white oak, sherry-seasoned oak, and rare Mizunara oak, a Japanese species prized for imparting sandalwood, incense, and delicate spice. The use of Mizunara, in particular, adds an unmistakable Japanese character to Hibiki’s profile.

Hibiki is instantly recognisable for its 24-faceted bottle, symbolising the 24 seasons in the traditional Japanese calendar. The label is made from Echizen washi paper, underscoring the brand’s connection to Japanese craft traditions.

Flavour-wise, Hibiki is famed for its silky texture and harmony. The nose often reveals floral notes, citrus, and gentle oak; the palate brings honeyed sweetness, stone fruit, vanilla, and spice; and the finish is long, clean, and subtly aromatic. Even in its younger expressions, the integration between components is remarkable, a testament to the skill of Suntory’s master blenders.

Hibiki has won numerous awards, including repeated “World’s Best Blended Whisky” titles at the World Whiskies Awards. However, global demand has far outstripped supply, making many age-statement expressions scarce and highly collectible.

Our Hibiki selection focuses on the available Japanese Harmony expression, alongside occasional rare bottles from the 17-, 21-, and 30-year-old releases when stocks permit. Whether you’re discovering Japanese whisky for the first time or adding a sought-after bottle to your collection, Hibiki offers a quintessential example of Japan’s blending artistry a whisky where every element is in perfect balance, resonating in the glass.