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.
The UK’s smallest pub is packing its bags for Japan, with The Nutshell from Bury St Edmunds being recreated inside an Osaka department store this October. For two weeks, a little piece of Suffolk will be making an unlikely appearance in Japan. The Nutshell, widely recognised as the UK’s smallest pub, is being recreated inside…
Louis XIII Cognac has unveiled Black Pearl: Tribute to the birthplace of Louis XIII, the latest highly limited expression in its prestigious Black Pearl cognac collection. Just 398 decanters are being released worldwide, each priced at £21,000. The new release takes its inspiration from Le Grollet, the historic cellar that has played a defining role…
Loch Maberry: Stories of Bladnoch, Chapter Three is the newest limited‑edition single malt from Scotland’s oldest privately owned distillery, and it arrives with a narrative rooted in connection and serendipity. The series celebrates individuals with a deep affinity for Bladnoch, and this chapter centres on Roddie and Elaine Burgess, a couple whose relationship began after…
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.
Why the UK’s smallest pub is being recreated inside a Japanese department store
The UK’s smallest pub is packing its bags for Japan, with The Nutshell from Bury St Edmunds being recreated inside an Osaka department store this October. For two weeks, a little piece of Suffolk will be making an unlikely appearance in Japan. The Nutshell, widely recognised as the UK’s smallest pub, is being recreated inside…
Louis XIII Cognac creates temperature-driven tasting ritual for £21,000 Black Pearl limited edition
Louis XIII Cognac has unveiled Black Pearl: Tribute to the birthplace of Louis XIII, the latest highly limited expression in its prestigious Black Pearl cognac collection. Just 398 decanters are being released worldwide, each priced at £21,000. The new release takes its inspiration from Le Grollet, the historic cellar that has played a defining role…
Bladnoch Loch Maberry Chapter Three is a Cognac cask whisky love affair
Loch Maberry: Stories of Bladnoch, Chapter Three is the newest limited‑edition single malt from Scotland’s oldest privately owned distillery, and it arrives with a narrative rooted in connection and serendipity. The series celebrates individuals with a deep affinity for Bladnoch, and this chapter centres on Roddie and Elaine Burgess, a couple whose relationship began after…
Share this: