After an 11-year absence, Hibiki 12 Years Old is returning to airport shelves as a new Global Travel Retail whisky exclusive.
Duty-free is increasingly becoming a happy hunting ground for limited editions and hard-to-find whisky releases. A new entry on our wants-list is this Hibiki 12 Years Old, particularly notable as the expression has been absent for more than a decade.
The celebrated Japanese blend is back as part of a new Hibiki 12 Years Old Travel Exclusive Series. Reimagined by fifth-generation Chief Blender Shinji Fukuyo, the release combines whiskies from Suntory’s Yamazaki, Hakushu and Chita distilleries.
Drawing on whiskies matured in American oak, Spanish oak and Mizunara oak, new release is presented in Hibiki’s familiar 24-faceted bottle, a design that represents Japan’s 24 microseasons.
For this travel retail edition, the packaging has been reworked around the Japanese concept of Kacho-Fugetsu, celebrating flowers, birds, wind and moon, alongside flowing water and the changing seasons.
The design also incorporates the traditional Marumado motif. The circular architectural window is used in Japanese buildings to frame the natural world as though it were a living picture.
Duty-free is increasingly becoming a happy hunting ground for limited editions…
Hibiki 12 Travel Exclusive tasting notes
Bottled at 43% ABV, the liquid is described as golden amber in colour. The nose offers persimmon and jasmine, alongside cardamom, a hint of orange and sandalwood.
The palate moves towards spiced orange peel, toasted cinnamon and butterscotch. The finish is rich and long, with a lingering, gently spiced character.
The House of Suntory suggests enjoying Hibiki 12 Years Old over a Marugori hand-carved ice ball, allowing the blend to open gradually as the ice melts.
Masaki Morimoto, President of The House of Suntory, said Hibiki 12 Years Old continued to hold a special place within the company’s portfolio.
“Hibiki 12 Years Old has always held a special place within The House of Suntory portfolio, and we’ve seen continued appreciation for this expression from whisky enthusiasts around the world,” he said.
“Reintroducing Hibiki 12 as a newly reimagined blend exclusively in travel retail allows us to bring it back in a way that is both intentional and globally accessible, while honouring the craftsmanship and harmony that define the brand.”
Hibiki 12 Years Old Travel Exclusive is priced at $188.
Availability includes major international airports in London, Singapore, New York, Incheon, Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Delhi, Mumbai, Paris, Doha, Los Angeles, Frankfurt, Sydney, Melbourne, Taipei, Amsterdam, Bangkok, São Paulo, Bangalore, Panama City, San Francisco and Hainan.
Daytime TV brought big riffs, catchy choruses and a healthy disregard for mortality to an intimate London basement show this week. There’s nothing like contemplating your own death in a Soho record shop on a warm summer evening. Daytime TV, the fast-rising alternative rock quartet, managed to make it sound like a great night out.…
German luxury technology brand Loewe has opened a new concept store at Harrods, placing its TVs, audio products and coffee machines inside one of London’s most prestigious retail destinations. The landgrab marks another step in the German brand’s international expansion, and its wider ambition to establish itself as a global luxury lifestyle technology business. Located…
The Dalmore has returned to its dunnage warehouses for a limited 14 Year Old single malt whisky finished in Semisecco Marsala casks. It’s the latest expression in the Distillery Select Series, a collection of limited-edition whiskies drawn from small parcels of stock at the distillery. First launched in 2024, each release in the Series is…
The Luxe Review 
After an 11-year absence, Hibiki 12 Years Old is returning to airport shelves as a new Global Travel Retail whisky exclusive.
Duty-free is increasingly becoming a happy hunting ground for limited editions and hard-to-find whisky releases. A new entry on our wants-list is this Hibiki 12 Years Old, particularly notable as the expression has been absent for more than a decade.
The celebrated Japanese blend is back as part of a new Hibiki 12 Years Old Travel Exclusive Series. Reimagined by fifth-generation Chief Blender Shinji Fukuyo, the release combines whiskies from Suntory’s Yamazaki, Hakushu and Chita distilleries.
Drawing on whiskies matured in American oak, Spanish oak and Mizunara oak, new release is presented in Hibiki’s familiar 24-faceted bottle, a design that represents Japan’s 24 microseasons.
For this travel retail edition, the packaging has been reworked around the Japanese concept of Kacho-Fugetsu, celebrating flowers, birds, wind and moon, alongside flowing water and the changing seasons.
The design also incorporates the traditional Marumado motif. The circular architectural window is used in Japanese buildings to frame the natural world as though it were a living picture.
Hibiki 12 Travel Exclusive tasting notes
Bottled at 43% ABV, the liquid is described as golden amber in colour. The nose offers persimmon and jasmine, alongside cardamom, a hint of orange and sandalwood.
The palate moves towards spiced orange peel, toasted cinnamon and butterscotch. The finish is rich and long, with a lingering, gently spiced character.
The House of Suntory suggests enjoying Hibiki 12 Years Old over a Marugori hand-carved ice ball, allowing the blend to open gradually as the ice melts.
Masaki Morimoto, President of The House of Suntory, said Hibiki 12 Years Old continued to hold a special place within the company’s portfolio.
“Hibiki 12 Years Old has always held a special place within The House of Suntory portfolio, and we’ve seen continued appreciation for this expression from whisky enthusiasts around the world,” he said.
“Reintroducing Hibiki 12 as a newly reimagined blend exclusively in travel retail allows us to bring it back in a way that is both intentional and globally accessible, while honouring the craftsmanship and harmony that define the brand.”
Hibiki 12 Years Old Travel Exclusive is priced at $188.
Availability includes major international airports in London, Singapore, New York, Incheon, Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Delhi, Mumbai, Paris, Doha, Los Angeles, Frankfurt, Sydney, Melbourne, Taipei, Amsterdam, Bangkok, São Paulo, Bangalore, Panama City, San Francisco and Hainan.
Not flying any time soon? Check out Hibiki’s other expressions at The Whisky Exchange here.
Alt-rockers Daytime TV rise and shine at Soho record shop basement surprise gig
Daytime TV brought big riffs, catchy choruses and a healthy disregard for mortality to an intimate London basement show this week. There’s nothing like contemplating your own death in a Soho record shop on a warm summer evening. Daytime TV, the fast-rising alternative rock quartet, managed to make it sound like a great night out.…
Loewe opens luxury concept store at Harrods for premium TVs, high-end audio and lifestyle tech
German luxury technology brand Loewe has opened a new concept store at Harrods, placing its TVs, audio products and coffee machines inside one of London’s most prestigious retail destinations. The landgrab marks another step in the German brand’s international expansion, and its wider ambition to establish itself as a global luxury lifestyle technology business. Located…
The Dalmore Distillery Select series returns with a 14 Year Old Marsala-finished single malt whisky
The Dalmore has returned to its dunnage warehouses for a limited 14 Year Old single malt whisky finished in Semisecco Marsala casks. It’s the latest expression in the Distillery Select Series, a collection of limited-edition whiskies drawn from small parcels of stock at the distillery. First launched in 2024, each release in the Series is…
Share this: