Hibiki 12 Year Old Travel Exclusive 2026 - 70cl/43%

Distillery History:
Suntory launched Hibiki in 1989; the name means “resonance.” It marries Yamazaki and Hakushu malt with Chita grain under successive chief blenders; Shinji Fukuyo is the fifth. The 24-facet bottle stands for Japan’s twenty-four solar terms. The original 12-year-old was withdrawn in 2015 and became a symbol of the Japanese-whisky boom. The 2026 Travel Exclusive is a new blend, not a revival of old stock.

Whisky Introduction:
After about eleven years it returned in May 2026 at Dubai Duty Free, then from June at airports including Hong Kong, Taoyuan, Singapore and London. Fukuyo rebuilds the harmony with American oak (Yamazaki toffee and cream), Spanish oak (cinnamon, orange peel) and Mizunara (aloeswood, sandalwood). Official notes no longer highlight the umeshu plum-wine casks of the old 12. The bottle adds sakura and stream watercolour in the kacho-fugetsu spirit. 43%, 700 ml. A travel-only blend, not a return of the domestic core range.

Tasting Notes:
Nosing: Persimmon, jasmine and cardamom, with orange and sandalwood.
Palate: Spiced orange peel, toasted cinnamon and butterscotch.
Finish: Long, warm and gently spiced.