26/04/2026
Hibiki 21 Years Old – Hiroshi Senju: Art and Whisky in Harmony
Resonance between nature and craftsmanship
Hibiki means “resonance”, and that name is no coincidence. This Japanese blend, introduced in 1989 to celebrate Suntory’s 90th anniversary, stands for the harmony between nature and human craft. For the Hibiki 21 Years Old – Hiroshi Senju edition, Suntory entered into a special collaboration with the renowned Nihonga artist Hiroshi Senju. His work “Waterfall on Colours ‘Hibiki’” adorns the box and label with ten shades of purple that reference the traditional kokimurasaki, a colour symbolizing nobility and rarity. Using marble powder and water, Senju allows the pigments to flow organically – a technique that poetically mirrors the art of whisky blending.
A versatile flavour profile
Beneath the artistic exterior lies a carefully composed whisky. Hibiki 21 Years Old combines malt from the Yamazaki and Hakushu distilleries with grain whisky from Chita, all aged at least 21 years. The flavour palette shows a wealth of aromas: on the nose you detect cotton candy, apple, coconut, sandalwood and lychee, while a drop of water reveals hints of plums and raisins. On the palate you taste baked orchard fruits, melon, salted caramel, vanilla, dry oak and dried apricot. The finish is long and complex, with sweet oak, floral undertones and a hint of smoke. The producer also highlights the presence of honeycomb, sandalwood and the influence of mizunara oak, which adds a subtle spicy note.
What makes this release even more attractive is the limited production. Only around 3,000 bottles were bottled worldwide. With an alcohol content of 43 %, the whisky is approachable yet layered, ideal for sipping slowly. The luxury presentation box includes the bottle, a booklet about the artwork and a protective sleeve. Given the combination of craftsmanship and art, this edition is a coveted collector’s item that impresses both visually and in taste.
