Hibiki 17 Year Old

Hibiki 17 Year Old

The Hibiki 17 Year Old is legendary in the world of spirits. It is widely considered the absolute pinnacle of Japanese blending artistry—and famously gained mainstream pop-culture icon status as the exact whisky Bill Murray’s character promotes in the movie Lost in Translation.

However, anyone looking for Hibiki 17 today faces a major hurdle: it was officially discontinued by Suntory in 2018.

Suntory simply ran out of aged liquid due to the massive, unpredictable explosion of global demand for Japanese whisky in the early 2000s. Because of this, it has transitioned from a premium bar staple into an elite, highly sought-after collector’s item.

The Liquid & Flavor Profile

Hibiki (which translates to “Resonance”) is a master blend of over 30 malt and grain whiskies sourced from Suntory’s three distilleries: Yamazaki (fruity and deep), Hakushu (fresh and lightly smoky), and Chita (clean grain whisky). These liquids are aged for a minimum of 17 years in a mix of casks, including American oak, Spanish sherry, and rare Japanese Mizunara oak.

The Bottle: Instantly recognizable by its stunning, heavy 24-faceted glass bottle, which elegantly represents the 24 solar terms of the traditional Japanese calendar and the 24 hours of a day the whisky sleeps in the barrel.

Nose: Highly floral and sweet. Ripe peaches, apricots, melon, rose petals, and a distinct hint of sandalwood and incense from the Mizunara wood.

Palate: Unbelievably silky and complex. It brings layers of dark honey, caramel, toffee, cooked plums, and a touch of black cherry.

Finish: Long, sweet, and clean, with a lingering, elegant wood-spice note.

ABV: 43%