Suntory’s Hibiki 12 year old returns to GTR after 11 year hiatus
Japanese spirits giant Suntory has reintroduced its Hibiki 12-Year-Old whisky to the global travel retail market for the first time in more than a decade.
The release, part of the Hibiki Travel Exclusive Series, made its debut at Dubai International Airport through Dubai Duty Free this month and will be rolled out to selected international airports from 1 June.
Bottled at 43% ABV, the whisky has been reimagined by Suntory’s fifth-generation chief blender, Shinji Fukuyo, and the blend is designed to nod to the original concept of Hibiki 12-Year-Old. It combines whiskies from Suntory’s Yamazaki, Hakushu and Chita distilleries.
Partner Content
The spirit is matured in a mix of American oak, Spanish oak, and precious Japanese Mizunara oak casks.
Priced at US$188 (£139), the expression will be available at major travel hubs including Singapore Changi Airport and New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport.
The reintroduced expression also features updated packaging inspired by Kacho-Fugetsu, a traditional Japanese aesthetic philosophy associated with nature and the changing seasons. Design elements include motifs of flowers, birds, wind, moonlight and flowing water. A prominent feature is the bottle’s 24-faceted design, which symbolises Japan’s 24 traditional microseasons. The packaging also incorporates the Marumado, a circular window commonly found in traditional Japanese architecture and intended to frame natural scenery.
