Throughout the history of Suntory and the Hibiki brand, numerous limited editions have been released to commemorate significant milestones in Japanese culture. Yet few collections have brought together aged whisky, traditional Japanese craftsmanship, and extraordinary collectible value as completely as the Hibiki 35 Year Old Collection.
Released in 2016 exclusively for the Japanese market, with only 150 bottles produced for each edition, all five masterpieces contain the same exceptional 35-year-old Hibiki blend, matured in Sherry, Bourbon, and Mizunara oak casks. What distinguishes them is not the whisky itself, but the five extraordinary porcelain decanters, each handcrafted by Japan’s most celebrated ceramic masters and representing some of the country’s most prestigious porcelain traditions.
These are far more than vessels for whisky—they are five unique expressions of Japan’s history, culture, and artistic heritage.
- HIBIKI KUTANI 35 YEAR OLD – A Celebration of Color and 400 Years of Kutani Porcelain
Among the five editions, the Kutani version is perhaps the one that most vividly embodies the spirit of traditional Japan. Created to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Kutani ware, one of Japan’s most celebrated porcelain traditions originating in Ishikawa Prefecture, this edition showcases Kutani’s signature characteristics: vibrant colors, intricate decorative patterns, and distinctly Japanese artistic expression.
The decanter is adorned with blooming peonies, symbols of prosperity and nobility, alongside butterflies representing longevity and happiness. Beyond its remarkable beauty, Hibiki Kutani also celebrates Suntory’s collaboration with master ceramic artisans from the renowned Kutani and Arita traditions, resulting in a work of lasting historical significance.
- HIBIKI SAKAIDA KAKIEMON XIV 35 YEAR OLD – A Masterpiece by a Living National Treasure
While Kutani represents centuries of history, the Sakaida Kakiemon XIV edition embodies the highest level of Japanese porcelain artistry.
Its decanter was created by Sakaida Kakiemon XIV, the fourteenth-generation successor of the legendary Kakiemon family, which has preserved the celebrated Kakiemon overglaze enamel tradition for more than four centuries. Recognized as a Living National Treasure of Japan, the artist crafted a vessel distinguished by its pure white porcelain and elegant depiction of the persimmon (kaki), a traditional symbol of fulfillment, abundance, and enduring prosperity.
- HIBIKI ARITA 35 YEAR OLD – Honoring the Birthplace of Japanese Porcelain
No discussion of Japanese ceramics is complete without Arita.
Widely regarded as the birthplace of Japanese porcelain, Arita has played a foundational role in the nation’s ceramic heritage. Suntory created the Hibiki Arita edition as a tribute to this historic region and its enduring influence on Japanese craftsmanship.
The decanter features classic Arita motifs of flowers and butterflies, symbolizing wealth, happiness, and longevity. Compared with the vivid brilliance of Kutani, Arita expresses a more balanced, refined, and timeless elegance.
- HIBIKI IMAIZUMI 35 YEAR OLD – Where Whisky Meets Porcelain Painting
While the other four editions emphasize ceramic craftsmanship, the Hibiki Imaizumi edition stands apart through its extraordinary artistic painting.
Created by Imaemon Imaizumi XIII, a Living National Treasure of Japan and master of the celebrated Iro-Nabeshima style, the decanter showcases exceptionally refined color techniques. Rich shades of blue, red, and gold are achieved using methods preserved exclusively within the Imaemon family for generations.
Every detail is meticulously painted by hand, transforming the decanter into a true work of fine art. Among the five editions, it is widely regarded as the most artistically expressive.
- HIBIKI HEKIYO 35 YEAR OLD – The Spirit of Wabi-Sabi and the Beauty of Simplicity
Where the first four editions captivate through elaborate decoration, Hibiki Hekiyo embraces an entirely different philosophy.
Its decanter was created by Tokuda Yasokichi III, a Living National Treasure renowned for his mastery of Yōsai colored-glaze techniques.
The minimalist design possesses remarkable artistic depth. Gentle gradations of blue glaze evoke the sky and the natural world, reflecting the essence of Wabi-Sabi—the Japanese philosophy that finds beauty in simplicity, tranquility, and imperfection.
Five Decanters, One Extraordinary Whisky, Five Distinct Souls
What truly distinguishes the Hibiki 35 Year Old Collection is not that each bottle contains a different whisky, but rather the way Suntory transformed a single world-class blend into five unique works of art, each with its own identity and spirit.
Each edition represents a celebrated porcelain tradition, an acclaimed master artisan, and a chapter of Japan’s rich cultural history. Together, they embody an exceptionally rare fusion of master whisky blending, centuries-old craftsmanship, and enduring cultural heritage—forming a collection that only a handful of collectors worldwide will ever have the opportunity to own in its entirety.
With only 150 bottles produced for each edition, for a total of 750 bottles released exclusively in Japan, the Hibiki 35 Year Old Collection is now regarded as one of the most prestigious porcelain whisky collections ever created by Suntory.
These are far more than rare bottles of whisky. They are enduring symbols of Japanese artistry, culture, and spirit. Each decanter tells its own remarkable story, and together they form a complete portrait of Japan’s ceramic heritage and the ultimate expression of the Hibiki legacy.