Hibiki has unveiled its first-ever global marketing campaign, placing actress and Shōgun star Anna Sawai at the centre of a project designed to connect Japanese whisky with broader themes of craftsmanship, heritage and artistry.
Titled The Masterpiece of Japanese Artistry, the initiative marks Sawai’s debut as Hibiki’s first global ambassador and reflects a growing focus within premium spirits on cultural identity.
Developed by The House of Suntory, the campaign draws a visual and philosophical link between the precision of Japanese whisky blending and the centuries-old traditions of kimono making.
The campaign marks Sawai’s debut as Hibiki’s first global ambassador…
A celebration of craftsmanship, culture and whisky
Central to this new Hibiki campaign is a collaboration with The House of Chiso, the Kyoto-based kimono house founded in 1555. Widely regarded as one of Japan’s oldest continuously operating craft businesses, Chiso is known for its intricate yuzen dyeing techniques and highly detailed textile artistry. In the campaign’s hero film and imagery, Sawai wears a bespoke kimono created by the house, blending traditional craftsmanship with contemporary cinematic styling.
The campaign explores parallels between the layered complexity of kimono design and the meticulous blending process behind Hibiki whisky. Both rely on patience, precision and a careful balance of individual elements.
Sawai said the partnership felt like a natural fit because of the shared emphasis on craftsmanship and deliberate artistry. “Hibiki represents a quiet kind of mastery, something refined over time with care and intention,” she said. “As an actor, I’m drawn to that same philosophy of craft, where every choice is deliberate, and every moment matters.”
The messaging aligns closely with Hibiki’s long-standing identity as a whisky built around the Japanese principle of wa, or harmony. The blend itself combines whiskies from Suntory’s Yamazaki Distillery, Hakushu Distillery and Chita Distillery distilleries, creating a layered profile intended to balance delicacy, depth and complexity. The campaign runs throughout 2026.
Hibiki Japanese Harmony is available from Amazon, priced £75.
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The Luxe Review 
Hibiki has unveiled its first-ever global marketing campaign, placing actress and Shōgun star Anna Sawai at the centre of a project designed to connect Japanese whisky with broader themes of craftsmanship, heritage and artistry.
Titled The Masterpiece of Japanese Artistry, the initiative marks Sawai’s debut as Hibiki’s first global ambassador and reflects a growing focus within premium spirits on cultural identity.
Developed by The House of Suntory, the campaign draws a visual and philosophical link between the precision of Japanese whisky blending and the centuries-old traditions of kimono making.
A celebration of craftsmanship, culture and whisky
Central to this new Hibiki campaign is a collaboration with The House of Chiso, the Kyoto-based kimono house founded in 1555. Widely regarded as one of Japan’s oldest continuously operating craft businesses, Chiso is known for its intricate yuzen dyeing techniques and highly detailed textile artistry. In the campaign’s hero film and imagery, Sawai wears a bespoke kimono created by the house, blending traditional craftsmanship with contemporary cinematic styling.
The campaign explores parallels between the layered complexity of kimono design and the meticulous blending process behind Hibiki whisky. Both rely on patience, precision and a careful balance of individual elements.
Sawai said the partnership felt like a natural fit because of the shared emphasis on craftsmanship and deliberate artistry. “Hibiki represents a quiet kind of mastery, something refined over time with care and intention,” she said. “As an actor, I’m drawn to that same philosophy of craft, where every choice is deliberate, and every moment matters.”
The messaging aligns closely with Hibiki’s long-standing identity as a whisky built around the Japanese principle of wa, or harmony. The blend itself combines whiskies from Suntory’s Yamazaki Distillery, Hakushu Distillery and Chita Distillery distilleries, creating a layered profile intended to balance delicacy, depth and complexity. The campaign runs throughout 2026.
Hibiki Japanese Harmony is available from Amazon, priced £75.
Lochlea unveils limited Red Wine Cask 2026 whisky finished in Tuscan Sangiovese barrels
Family-owned Lochlea Distillery has announced its second annual Red Wine Cask release, offering a rich, fruit-forward take on modern Scotch. This showcase for the farm-to-cask distillery’s distinctive approach to cask management joins Lochlea’s core Single Estate range, launched last summer. The Red Wine Cask series is an annual limited-edition inspired by the art of finishing…
Mexican spirits culture celebrated as Tequila & Mezcal Show returns to London
Smoky Mezcals, regional Raicillas and crisp Tequilas return to London’s South Bank for the second annual Tequila & Mezcal Show. Last year, more than 600 agave enthusiasts brought the buzz, and this year promises to be even more exciting, with over 250 spirits from across Mexico gracing Glazier’s Hall. Running for two sessions on Friday…
Kingsbarns Distillery launches limited edition single malt inspired by St Andrews 19th hole
A long-standing St Andrews golfing ritual has found a new expression, as Kingsbarns Distillery launches a limited-edition single cask whisky inspired by the famed ‘19th hole’. Developed by Wemyss Family Spirits, the family-owned business behind the distillery, The Dunvegan forms the second instalment in a golf-inspired series, and follows last year’s Caddies’ Dream release. Limited…
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