Inside The Hibiki Forty-Year-Old With Master Blender Shinji Fukuyo

The House Of Suntory have released their oldest blended whisky to date. The Hibiki 40 year old is a masterwork of classic Japanese blended whisky, showcasing the skills and tireless craftsmanship of the Hibiki team.

Blended from ultra-premium aged whiskies from Yamazaki, Hakushu, and Chita, the Hibiki 40 year old has been crafted as a tribute to premium Japanese spirits. From the 40 year old whisky itself, to the box created by artisans trusted by the Japanese Imperial Family, every aspect of this release is a considered aspect of the whole. I was fortunate to speak with Shinji Fukuyo, Chief Blender at House of Suntory, to understand more about this historic release.

Celebration and Subtleness

“I hope that when people experience Hibiki 40 Years Old, they feel a deep connection to time—past, present, and future.” Shinji Fukuyo, Chief Blender of Suntory, explained to me over email what he had aimed to create through the oldest Hibiki to date. “I want consumers to savor the purity and complexity of the aromas, the smoothness of the palate, and the tranquil, almost meditative finish that evokes the serenity of ancient temples and nature that leads you to the nostalgic warmth that accompanies them.”

It is a big ask for any drink, but like any experience, whether it be food, wine or whisky, the experience is more than the sum of its parts. The House of Suntory founder Shinjiro Torii began work on the first whisky distillery in Japan back in 1923. Since then Japanese whisky has evolved to become internationally renowned and collected. The Hibiki blend is known for its sought-after limited editions, and this 40-year-old echoes the quality and striking artistry those releases have become known for.

Blended Whisky, Elevated To Art

It is clear when I ask about the project that for Shinji Fukuyo blending whisky is an art form in itself.

“My favorite part of this project has been witnessing how every element—both in the liquid and in the presentation—came together to express not only the history of Suntory but how beauty and transience patinates, while time adds depth. I believe you would be able to taste the change in flavor over time, reminiscent of blooming flowers at first followed by an elegant simplicity from the middle to the aftertaste.”

While few of us will be able to experience the transcendental taste of the Hibiki 40-year-old, one universal aspect of it is the artistry of the presentation. From the bottle to the label and case, the presentation of this historic whisky has been considered in a way that perfectly reflects its Japanese heritage.

Renowned Japanese Washi artist Eriko Horiki has hand crafted the labels for the 40-year-old. Horiki is known for her work balancing the historic and modern needs of the traditional Japanese paper craft. The balance of traditional product meeting the needs of a modern age is something echoed in the whisky industry. When the whiskies in this release were distilled there was no international Japanese whisky market, but those distillers still worked to create something that could last into the future.

The limited edition Hibiki’s are renowned for their beautiful bottle designs, each intricately decorated to represent some aspect of Japanese culture. The 40-year-old does not disappoint. The crystal bottle has been crafted by a renowned glassware maker known as a trusted purveyor to the Japanese imperial family. Traditional Japanese maki-e, mother-of-pearl inlay, and gold lacquer have been used to create a bottle that is another aspect of this work of art.

And make no mistake, the Hibiki 40-year old is a work of art. Shinji Fukuyo has created a masterful whisky, but the design around it has elevated it to more than just a bottle of whisky. Even the box has been carefully considered to reflect aspects of Japanese culture. It has been crafted from 12 different types of Japanese wood, and has 12 sides, both reflecting the 12 months of the year. While the painting on the box represents the four seasons through different flowers and grasses in more maki-e lacquer.

The designs are supposed to represent the changing of the seasons and how the past and future are linked through whisky because of the nature of the slow maturation. It’s a striking piece and another stunning release that almost erases the lines between art and consumables like a bottle of whisky.

Crafting New With The Old

In a traditional sense I think it is one of the most striking releases I’ve seen so far this year. Yes there have been donut shaped decanters, but this Hibiki release, for me, feels more about embracing the past and bringing traditions into the future, rather than trying to redefine the genre.

Of course, working with something first created 40 years ago, in a world of different traditions and values, is not without its challenges. Shinji Fukuyo explained that the older whiskies require perhaps a different way of handling. “As for working with liquids that have been aged for more than four decades, the complexity and depth of the unblended whiskies reflect the passage of time, and as a blender, it was my responsibility to honor and amplify these qualities.”

Finally I asked about his favorite aspect of creating such a monumental blend. He explained, “For me, the most rewarding part of blending is the moment when the components—each whisky aged for decades—come together and reveal a harmony that is greater than the sum of its parts.”

I have to say I agree that he has achieved something greater than a 40-year-old blended whisky. It is a visually stunning representation of Japanese whisky and culture that is a credit to the four decade old whisky it contains.