Hibiki Partners with Painter Hiroshi Senju for Limited Edition Japanese Whiskies

(Photo: House of Suntory)

On Wednesday, The House of Suntory announced a collaboration between its Hibiki Japanese whisky brand and renowned painter Hiroshi Senju, unveiling collector’s edition packaging for Hibiki 21 Years Old and Hibiki 30 Years Old.

The collaboration highlights the intersection of Japanese art, nature and whisky-making. Senju created an original work titled “Waterfall on Colors ‘Hibiki,’” which features a spectrum of 10 shades of purple inspired by Hibiki’s deep Kokimurasaki hue. The artwork adorns the bottles and presentation boxes of the two aged whiskies.

For Hibiki 21 Years Old, Senju’s waterfall motif appears on both the label and the box. The Hibiki 30 Years Old edition comes in a byōbu (Japanese folding screen)-style display with multi-panel screens, an etched emblem and a reflective base, transforming the release into a collector’s display piece.

Senju is one of Japan’s most acclaimed contemporary artists. His work, known for blending Eastern and Western artistic traditions, is held in collections including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and his namesake museum in Karuizawa, Japan. He has received international recognition, including an Honorable Mention at the Venice Biennale and the Foreign Minister’s Commendation.

According to Suntory, Hibiki 21 Years Old is characterized by flavors of honeycomb, sandalwood and dried apricot, balanced by Mizunara oak and a long, incense-like finish. Hibiki 30 Years Old, meanwhile, is said to offer notes of brown sugar, dried fig and apricot jam with layers of Mizunara oak and cinnamon. Both expressions are bottled at 43% ABV.

The special-edition Hibiki 21 Years Old has a suggested retail price of $899.99, while Hibiki 30 Years Old is priced at $7,500. The whiskies will be available in limited quantities across the U.S., Europe, and Asia, as well as select global travel retailers.

Founded in 1923, The House of Suntory is recognized as the pioneer of Japanese whisky. The company operates the Yamazaki, Hakushu, and Chita distilleries and has received multiple international awards, including Distiller of the Year at the International Spirits Challenge.