The Story
Commemorating 100 years of Suntory whisky — the Hibiki 21 Year 100th Anniversary Edition. A blended Japanese whisky from Yamazaki malt, Hakushu malt, and Chita grain, at 21 years of age, in a presentation that marks the centenary of Japan's oldest and most celebrated whisky producer.
Suntory was founded in 1923 when Shinjiro Torii established the Yamazaki Distillery south of Kyoto — the first malt whisky distillery in Japan and the founding act of the entire Japanese whisky category. In the century since, Suntory built a second malt distillery (Hakushu, 1973) and a grain distillery (Chita, 1972), creating the three-pillar production system that enables Hibiki's distinctive blending approach.
Hibiki — Japanese for "harmony" or "resonance" — is Suntory's master blended whisky expression, combining Yamazaki malt (rich, fruit-forward, sherry-influenced), Hakushu malt (lighter, herbaceous, gently smoky), and Chita grain (clean, sweet, integrating foundation). The 21 Year version is the most celebrated age-statement Hibiki — consistently rated among the world's finest blended whiskies — and the 100th Anniversary Edition is the most significant bottling of the expression in the program's history, released once to mark a milestone that occurs once per century.
Tasting Notes
- Appearance: Brilliant amber with the golden hues of Hibiki's multi-cask maturation.
- Nose: Rose, lychee, sandalwood, and light smoke — the three-distillery harmony at 21-year depth.
- Palate: Silky and complex — coconut, vanilla, maple, and the gentle integration of three distinct production styles at their most mature expression.
- Finish: Extraordinarily long — the Hibiki hallmark of a finish that evolves through warmth, spice, and dried fruit.
Specs
- Producer: Suntory, Japan (est. 1923)
- Category: Japanese Blended Whisky
- Components: Yamazaki malt + Hakushu malt + Chita grain
- Age: 21 years
- Edition: 100th Anniversary (Suntory centenary, 2023)
- Size: 700ml
Explore the full Japanese whisky collection at Wooden Cork.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What makes this the most significant Hibiki 21 ever bottled? The 100th Anniversary commemorates a specific, unrepeatable milestone — the centenary of Suntory's founding of Japanese whisky in 1923. Unlike standard annual or limited releases, this edition marks a historical occasion that occurs once per century. No future Hibiki 21 can carry the same centenary significance.
- How does Hibiki 21 compare to Hibiki 17 and Hibiki 30? Hibiki 17 was discontinued in 2018 due to aged stock shortages — making surviving bottles increasingly valuable. Hibiki 21 is the current flagship age-statement, consistently rated among the world's finest blended whiskies. Hibiki 30 is the ultra-aged apex, produced in extremely limited quantities. The 100th Anniversary 21 Year sits at the program's peak current expression with historical milestone significance.
- What are the three Suntory production sites? Yamazaki (1923, Shimamoto, Osaka Prefecture): Japan's oldest distillery, producing rich, fruit-forward malt with sherry cask influence. Hakushu (1973, Yamanashi Prefecture): mountain forest distillery producing lighter, herbaceous, gently smoky malt. Chita (1972, Aichi Prefecture): grain distillery producing clean, sweet spirit that integrates the two malts.
- Is the 100th Anniversary Hibiki 21 still available? Yes — one of the rarest Japanese whisky expressions in the Wooden Cork inventory.
Description
Commemorating 100 years of Suntory whisky — the Hibiki 21 Year 100th Anniversary Edition. A blended Japanese whisky from Yamazaki malt, Hakushu malt, and Chita grain, at 21 years of age, in a presentation that marks the centenary of Japan's oldest and most celebrated whisky producer.
Suntory was founded in 1923 when Shinjiro Torii established the Yamazaki Distillery south of Kyoto — the first malt whisky distillery in Japan and the founding act of the entire Japanese whisky category. In the century since, Suntory built a second malt distillery (Hakushu, 1973) and a grain distillery (Chita, 1972), creating the three-pillar production system that enables Hibiki's distinctive blending approach.
Hibiki — Japanese for "harmony" or "resonance" — is Suntory's master blended whisky expression, combining Yamazaki malt (rich, fruit-forward, sherry-influenced), Hakushu malt (lighter, herbaceous, gently smoky), and Chita grain (clean, sweet, integrating foundation). The 21 Year version is the most celebrated age-statement Hibiki — consistently rated among the world's finest blended whiskies — and the 100th Anniversary Edition is the most significant bottling of the expression in the program's history, released once to mark a milestone that occurs once per century.
Tasting Notes
- Appearance: Brilliant amber with the golden hues of Hibiki's multi-cask maturation.
- Nose: Rose, lychee, sandalwood, and light smoke — the three-distillery harmony at 21-year depth.
- Palate: Silky and complex — coconut, vanilla, maple, and the gentle integration of three distinct production styles at their most mature expression.
- Finish: Extraordinarily long — the Hibiki hallmark of a finish that evolves through warmth, spice, and dried fruit.
Specs
- Producer: Suntory, Japan (est. 1923)
- Category: Japanese Blended Whisky
- Components: Yamazaki malt + Hakushu malt + Chita grain
- Age: 21 years
- Edition: 100th Anniversary (Suntory centenary, 2023)
- Size: 700ml
Explore the full Japanese whisky collection at Wooden Cork.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What makes this the most significant Hibiki 21 ever bottled? The 100th Anniversary commemorates a specific, unrepeatable milestone — the centenary of Suntory's founding of Japanese whisky in 1923. Unlike standard annual or limited releases, this edition marks a historical occasion that occurs once per century. No future Hibiki 21 can carry the same centenary significance.
- How does Hibiki 21 compare to Hibiki 17 and Hibiki 30? Hibiki 17 was discontinued in 2018 due to aged stock shortages — making surviving bottles increasingly valuable. Hibiki 21 is the current flagship age-statement, consistently rated among the world's finest blended whiskies. Hibiki 30 is the ultra-aged apex, produced in extremely limited quantities. The 100th Anniversary 21 Year sits at the program's peak current expression with historical milestone significance.
- What are the three Suntory production sites? Yamazaki (1923, Shimamoto, Osaka Prefecture): Japan's oldest distillery, producing rich, fruit-forward malt with sherry cask influence. Hakushu (1973, Yamanashi Prefecture): mountain forest distillery producing lighter, herbaceous, gently smoky malt. Chita (1972, Aichi Prefecture): grain distillery producing clean, sweet spirit that integrates the two malts.
- Is the 100th Anniversary Hibiki 21 still available? Yes — one of the rarest Japanese whisky expressions in the Wooden Cork inventory.
