The Hibiki 40 Year Old is the oldest and most prestigious expression ever released by the House of Suntory, conceived by chief blender Shinji Fukuyo and limited to just 400 bottles worldwide. This extraordinary Japanese blended whisky draws from five carefully selected whisky styles sourced from three of Suntory's legendary distilleries — Yamazaki, Hakushu, and Chita — each matured for over four decades and representing the passage of forty seasonal cycles through three generations of chief blenders.

The Yamazaki component spans three different oak cask types: white oak casks filled in 1978 and 1983 contribute antique notes and delicate creaminess; Spanish oak from 1980 delivers intense dried fruit flavors and textural depth; and mizunara oak from 1983 imparts the distinctive aromatic spiciness and incense character emblematic of Japanese whisky. Lightly peated Hakushu, distilled in 1981 in direct-fired stills, lends fruity and herbal nuance with its peat character gracefully softened by four decades of aging. Chita Distillery grain whiskies from 1979 and 1981 weave in sweet notes of jasmine and lychee, lending balance and sustaining the whisky's long, lingering finish.

Bottled at 43% ABV and awarded 96 points by Whisky Advocate, the nose is aromatic and sensual with jasmine, golden sultana, dried apricot, waxed lemon, white pepper, double cream, and light notes of incense and sandalwood. The smooth palate delivers incredibly focused bursts of citrus — honey-drizzled, with lemon and dried apricot — evolving into ripe fig, latte, and vanilla custard as the mizunara oak asserts itself. The lengthy finish is smooth and becomes pleasingly drier, replete with warming spices.

The bottle is itself a masterwork of Japanese artisanship. Renowned glassware maker Kagami Crystal — supplier to the Japanese Imperial family — crafted a 30-faceted crystal decanter adorned with traditional Japanese maki-e artistry using gold lacquer and mother-of-pearl inlay, with one facet for each year of aging. The 12-sided outer box is constructed from 12 varieties of Japanese wood and decorated with delicate flowers and grasses representing Japan's changing seasons and the spirit of Hibiki, which honors the harmony between nature and the Japanese people.