The House of Suntory has partnered with Japanese contemporary artist Hiroshi Senju to reimagine the packaging of two prestige expressions from its Hibiki brand. The partnership combines whisky-making and fine art, expressed through two age statement whiskies: Hibiki 21 Years Old and Hibiki 30 Years Old.
Both expressions, bottled at 43% ABV, have launched in select global travel retail locations and domestic markets across the USA, Germany, the UK, France, Italy, Northern Europe, China, Australia, Singapore, Taiwan and South Korea.
Hibiki is known for its subtle and complex flavour profile. A blend of whiskies from Suntory’s distilleries in Yamazaki, Hakushu and Chita, it is inspired by the balance between people and nature.
The collaboration draws inspiration from Senju’s commissioned work, Waterfall on Colors ‘Hibiki’, which features ten shades of purple inspired by the Kokimurasaki gradient – a hue symbolising nobility and rarity.
Senju’s distinctive Hokaimatsu technique involves the use of water and natural marble powder to allow colour to flow freely across the canvas, reflecting Hibiki’s ethos of harmony between people and nature.
The Hibiki 30 Years Old (US$7,500) is presented in a case with a byōbu-style (Japanese folding screens) multi-panel display. The packaging includes a reflective base, an etched Hibiki emblem and a waterfall wrap around the bottle’s neck and is described as a collector’s piece.
The whisky offers a rich, layered profile with brown sugar, dried fig, gingerbread and apricot jam notes. It has a deep finish influenced by Mizunara oak and a gentle hint of cinnamon.
The Hibiki 21 Years Old (US$899.99) features Senju’s waterfall motif on both the label and presentation box. The whisky offers a rounded flavour profile combining notes of honeycomb, sandalwood and dried apricot with Mizunara oak and a long finish.
Hiroshi Senju is widely recognised for bridging Eastern and Western artistic traditions through his art. His works are held in major institutions, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Hiroshi Senju Museum Karuizawa.
He has received numerous accolades, including the Honourable Mention Award at the Venice Biennale and the Foreign Minister’s Commendation from the Government of Japan. ✈
