Artfully-designed, limited edition bottle represents both celebration and shared happiness with a kimono-inspired tabane-noshi pattern, released just in time for Christmas 2018
LONDON, UK – The House of Suntory, the founding house of Japanese Whisky, has announced the release of a specially-designed bottle of Hibiki Japanese Harmony. Designed to represent both celebration and shared happiness in honour of the 30th anniversary of the Suntory Whisky Hibiki brand, the limited edition bottle will be widely available in the UK at a suggested retail price of £100 (750ml) as of October 29, 2018.
Inspired by a traditional kimono pattern, the bottle is embellished with the tabane-noshi, a traditional Japanese symbol of celebration that has often adorned precious gifts since ancient times. Several noshi are bundled together to make Hibiki Japanese Harmony’s tabane-noshi design, which is extremely auspicious and symbolizes shared happiness with others.
“Since the brand was first established, Hibiki has been a representation of Japanese art and design,” said Takahiro Itoga, Senior Global Brand Director at Beam Suntory. “This specially-designed bottle honours that spirit, utilising traditional Japanese symbols to create a design representing both celebration and shared happiness. The bottle in and of itself is a work of art, making it the perfect gift for Christmas.”
The Hibiki brand was introduced to the world in 1989 and since then has been embraced as the paragon of the Art of Japanese Whisky. It is not only one of Japan’s most highly awarded blended whiskies, but also among the most prestigious and honoured whiskies in the world. Introduced in 2015, Hibiki Japanese Harmony is a harmonious blend blessed with the riches of Japanese nature and craftsmanship. Inspired by the riches and subtleties of Japan’s 24 seasons of the traditional Japanese lunar calendar and mastered by Suntory’s Art of Blending, Hibiki Japanese Harmony is a meticulous blend of the finest selection of malt and grain whiskies from the House of Suntory Whisky’s Yamazaki, Hakushu and Chita distilleries. This delicate blend creates a oneness unfolding a full orchestra of flavours and aromas.
Available from Harrods, Selfridges, The Whisky Shop and The Whisky Exchange from 29.10.18
TASTING NOTES: HIBIKI JAPANESE HARMONY – 43% ABV
Luminous. Delicate. A transparency that unveils complexity.
Color: Amber
Nose: Rose, lychee, hint of rosemary, mature woodiness, sandalwood
Palate: Honey-like sweetness, candied orange peel, white chocolate
Finish: Subtle, tender long finish, with hint of Mizunara (Japanese oak)
ABOUT SUNTORY WHISKY
Suntory was established in 1899 and is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. Since 1923, as the pioneer of Japanese whisky, Suntory Whisky has been renowned for its House of Master Blenders and for their Art of Blending. The founding father of Japanese whisky, Shinjiro Torii, built Japan’s first malt whisky distillery in Yamazaki. Nestled in the outskirts of Kyoto, this region was the birthplace of the traditional Japanese tea ceremony and is known for the purity of its waters. Torii dreamt of creating an authentically Japanese whisky by choosing a terrain and climate completely different to that of Scotland, thereby cultivating unique conditions for maturation.
In 1972, Torii’s son Keizo Saji, Suntory’s second master blender, built the Chita grain distillery near Nagoya to produce more of their own high-quality grain whiskies. In 1973, Saji founded the Hakushu distillery amidst the deep forests of Mt. Kaikomagatake in the Japanese Southern Alps with the goal of producing malt whiskies distinct from those made at Yamazaki. Its high altitude and lush environment are what differentiates Hakushu from other distilleries.
At each of these distilleries, a diverse array of whiskies are produced through various fermentation techniques, shapes and sizes of giant copper pot stills, and the wide variety of cask types used. Today, roughly 1,200,000 casks of whisky are quietly maturation in Suntory’s aging cellars. This tsukuriwake—variety in the making—allows for the blending opportunities that are essential to achieving the subtle, refined yet complex taste signature to Suntory Whiskies.
With respect to heritage and a commitment to innovation, third generation master Blender Shingo Torii, and grandson of Shinjiro, now leads this most highly awarded house of Japanese Whisky. The House of Suntory Whisky has been named four-time Distiller of the Year at the International Spirits Challenge in London, UK (2010, 2012, 2013, 2014).
The portfolio includes two single malt whiskies: Yamazaki – the pioneer of Japanese Single Malts, multi-layered and profound, and Hakushu – verdant, fresh, and delicately smoky; a single grain whisky: Chita—sublimely smooth, versatile and complex; and two blends: the noble blend, Hibiki – Japan’s most highly awarded blended whisky, and Suntory Whisky Toki – ideal for Japanese highballs.
whisky.suntory.com #SuntoryWhisky @SuntoryWhisky
ABOUT BEAM SUNTORY INC.
As the world’s third largest premium spirits company, Beam Suntory is Crafting the Spirits Brands that Stir the World. Consumers from all corners of the globe call for the company’s brands, including the iconic Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark bourbon brands and Suntory whisky Kakubin, as well as world renowned premium brands including Knob Creek bourbon, Yamazaki, Hakushu and Hibiki Japanese whiskies, Teacher’s, Laphroaig, and Bowmore Scotch whiskies, Canadian Club whisky, Courvoisier cognac, Hornitos and Sauza tequila, EFFEN and Pinnacle vodka, Sipsmith gin, and Midori liqueur.
Beam Suntory was created in 2014 by combining the world leader in bourbon and the pioneer in Japanese whisky to form a new company with a deep heritage, passion for quality, innovative spirit and commitment to Growing for Good. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Beam Suntory is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan. For more information on Beam Suntory, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit www.beamsuntory.com and www.drinksmart.com.
1 September 2016: Whether it’s “heavenly golden drops collected in one smokin’ bottle” or
“as if a merman washed his codpiece in antiseptic and dried it by the fire”, Laphroaig® is
celebrating the wild and wonderful descriptions of its award-winning liquid by asking the
public to share their opinions of the single malt Scotch whisky – in 140 characters or less.
Big Opinions will be live for one week only, 11 – 15 October 2016. Showcasing the divided opinions of
whisky fans from all corners of the globe, a real-time Twitter feed of the most outrageous and insightful
opinions will be projected onto the over 200 year old iconic white wall of the Laphroaig® distillery, Warehouse
No.1. Every opinion will be selected for display by Distillery Manager, John Campbell and will be presented
alongside the author’s Twitter handle, capturing their individual impression of Laphroaig’s distinctive and
widely divisive flavour profile.
BIG OPINIONS
The latest activation from the award-winning #OpinionsWelcome™ campaign, Big Opinions, asks whisky
lovers – and haters – to put their impression of Laphroaig® into words using the hashtag #OpinionsWelcome;
no easy feat. The Big Opinions campaign showcases the vivid descriptions of the International whisky
community and brings Laphroaig’s valued customers across the world closer to the distillery, in true
#OpinionsWelcome™ style.
The spectacle can be watched live at www.laphroaig.com/opinions, which will capture every imaginative post
throughout the 5-day event. Those selected to feature in the Big Opinions projection will receive photography
and a video of their own opinion up in lights on the distillery wall for the world to see, to share with their
fellow whisky drinkers.
THE DIVISIVE SINGLE MALT
Of all the Islay peated malts, it is Laphroaig® that gets the most extreme reactions. It’s a complex beast, and as
such has always divided opinion. You love it or you hate it – you are rarely indifferent. With its pungent,
earthy aroma of peat smoke, the sweet nuttiness of the barley and the heathery perfume of the Kilbride stream,
GLOBAL TRADE PRESS RELEASE SEPTEMBER 2016
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Laphroaig® is an unapologetically bold, rich and heavily peated single malt. It’s this complex flavour profile that
has garnered an impressively loyal and passionate following of whisky enthusiasts from around the world.
The iconic white wall of Warehouse No.1 with the bold Laphroaig® logo painted along its side is an instantly
recognisable symbol of the Scotch whisky’s long and illustrious heritage on Islay, whether you’re arriving at the
port from boat, plane or by foot.
#OpinionsWelcome™ is an open-armed invitation for all to express their feelings on this divisive whisky. Big
Opinions gives the public the chance to voice their opinions to the world. Be candid. Be real. Let creativity run
riot.
Remaining true to its word, your opinion of Laphroaig® truly is welcome.
Find out more about sharing your opinion at www.laphroaig.com/opinions
Laphroaig® press information:
For more information or images contact the Laphroaig® press office:
Laphroaig@ldrlondon.com | +44 207 851 6629
The much anticipated Maker’s Mark variant is targeted at premium on trade and luxury retail outlets and will be available from September following a preview in Harrods from 24th August.
Maker’s 46 is created by removing fully matured Maker’s Mark bourbon from its barrel, affixing ten seared French oak staves to the inside of the original barrel, then putting the Maker’s Mark back in and aging it several more months. This second maturation is carried out in the coolest part of the warehouse, resulting in a complex and delicious flavour profile of caramel, vanilla and spice. This rich liquid is bigger and bolder but with the drinkability that is synonymous with Maker’s Mark. The number 46 refers to the 46th recipe Bill Samuel’s Sr created before finally identifying the sought after unique stave profile used to deliver its distinctive taste.
Created to be sipped neat or over ice, Maker’s 46 has been carefully crafted using the traditional Maker’s Mark ingredients, including red winter wheat for its gentle, smooth taste.
The elongated 700ml bottle is premium and elegant, with the Maker’s 46 logo etched on the glass. The iconic Maker’s Mark hand-dipped red wax finishes the look.
The launch is being supported by an interactive bartender event at Dandelyan on 24th August and consumer activity in Harrods from 26th August, including tutored tastings and a caricaturist who will create bespoke gifts.
Maxxium UK’s Marketing Controller for Imported Whiskey, Janice McIntosh, says: “Maker’s 46 is uniquely crafted to deliver an exceptional flavour that is bigger and bolder while maintaining the smoothness of Maker’s Mark. Bartenders and bourbon aficionados will be keen to welcome this premium expression as it meets the growing appetite for quality bourbons and we couldn’t be more excited to introduce it to the UK”
Maker’s 46 is bottled at 47% ABV, 2% higher than Maker’s Mark and has an RRP of £39.99(700ml).
20 June 2014: Maxxium UK is raising the stakes in the UK American Whiskey market with the introduction of Jim Beam® Rye in response to the growing demand for different styles of whiskey, particularly rye.
Jim Beam® Rye is available via leading wholesalers to the on-trade beginning this month. Bottled at 40% ABV, Jim Beam® Rye is aged for four years in charred oak barrels, making it a complex straight rye whiskey, which is spicy, bold and full of flavour. It is copper in colour with notes of nutmeg, cinnamon, apple and pepper and a slightly sweet finish on the palate. Jim Beam® Rye can be enjoyed neat, on the rocks, or as a great base to a number of key whiskey cocktails such as a Rye Old Fashioned or a Rye Manhattan. As well as being aimed at existing rye drinkers, it is aimed at whiskey enthusiasts who enjoy trying something different.
Maxxium UK’s Marketing Controller for Imported Whiskey, Eileen Livingston says: “The thirst for good quality rye whiskey is at a record high and we feel that the time is right to fully introduce our very own Jim Beam Rye to the UK market. We have received considerable interest in our brand and are excited to introduce the trade and consumers to another member of the Jim Beam family.”
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