Suntory are one of the founding fathers of Japanese whisky, established by Shinjirō Torii in 1899 as a wine store in Osaka. The venture was hugely successful, and the company was renamed Kotobukiya in 1921, which built its first distillery three years later, Yamazaki. The distillery produced both malt and grain whiskies which the company blended together, releasing its first Suntory White Label in 1929, the resulting popularity of which saw the firm renamed after it 1963. Expansion in the next decade saw the company move its grain production to a new Chita distillery in 1972, and open a second malt distillery, Hakushu, the following year. Suntory today has a large stake in both the bourbon and Scotch whisky industry, but remains at the forefront of its native whisky market too.
Hibiki is a blend of over ten malts and grains featuring Yamazaki, Hakushu, and Chita all aged in five types of cask. The non-age statement Japanese Harmony was introduced in 2015, following the discontinuation of the 12 year old as the entry level to the core range. The Master's Select was a travel retail exclusive, and this is a 2016 limited edition.
As always with Hibiki the bottle always has 24 facets representing the 24 seasons of the Japanese lunar calendar.
Developed by fourth generation chief blender Shinji Fukuyo with production overseen by third generation master blender and great-grandson of the founder, Shingo Torii.