April 2025 Auction

Hakushu Peated Malt Spanish Oak Kogei Collection / Kimono Edition

Hakushu was the third distillery built by Suntory, established in 1973 to shoulder some of the malt production burden for Yamazaki. The latter’s grain production had moved entirely to the new Chita distillery the year prior as well. Hakushu was built at the foot of the Southern Japan Alps, a location deliberately chosen by Suntory to provide a contrast to the style of spirit produced at Yamazaki. Interestingly, a second distillery was built in 1981 (referred to as Hakushu East) which has stills of varying shapes and sizes which are able to produce a wide range of distillate character. This is in contrast to the now-dormant old site (referred to as Hakushu West) which had 24 large stills identical in shape and size, but only capable of producing one particular style of distillate. The first Hakushu single malt was bottled in 1994.

Released in 2024 alongside a similar Yamazaki expression, this Hakushu marks the launch of the Kogei Collection, a travel retail exclusive range from Suntory. Both expressions were distilled using peated malt sourced from distilleries on Islay, and matured in Spanish oak casks.

Inchgower 2011 Auld Goonsy 13 Year Old

Inchgower was built in 1871 by Alexander Wilson, using equipment rescued from the disused Tochineal distillery nearby. When his family went bankrupt, the distillery was bought by the town council, who sold it to Arthur Bell in 1937. As you would expect, it has been a key constituent in the Bell's blend ever since. As with Blair Athol and Dufftown, Arthur Bell & Sons took an early interest in bottling its single malt, with official releases appearing from the 1970s. These disappeared when Guinness bought Bell's in 1985 however, and it was not until United Distillers launched the Flora & Fauna brand in 1991 that the former Bell's stable would receive distillery bottlings again. Nowadays important to the Johnnie Walker blend too, other official releases of Inchgower are rare, and it is with independent releases like this where it enjoys the prominence it deserves.

This Inchgower was distilled in May 2011 and matured for 13 years, initially in an American oak hogshead, then in single second-fill Oloroso cask #805697 for a further 12 months. It was bottled by Global Whisky in November 2024 under their Auld Goonsy label.

One of 302 bottles.

Ichiro's Malt and Grain Symphony Allegro Single Cask #14915 / Spirits Of Salud

The Ichiro's Malt brand is produced by Japanese firm, Venture Whisky, and is named after their founder, Ichiro Akuto. Venture Whisky was established in 2004 after Ichiro acquired the remaining unblended stocks of single malt from his grandfather's Hanyu distillery. Ichiro's Malt was born the following year, with the release of the original 'Card' series single casks of Hanyu. The company then opened its own distillery in 2008, the increasingly sought-after Chichibu. In addition to bottling these two single malts, the Ichiro's Malt brand has also produced a number of sought after blended whiskies like this over the years.

This blended single cask whisky was matured in single cask #12132 and finished in a first-fill sherry hogshead. It was bottled exclusively for Spirits of Salud in 2024 as part of the Symphony series.

One of only 270 bottles.

Exclusive Blend 1991 Creative Whisky Co 21 Year Old

The Creative Whisky Company was established in 2005 by David and Dawn Stirk. David had been involved in the industry for a long time, both writing extensively about whisky in magazines and books, as well as being a former employee of Scotland's oldest independent bottler, Wm. Cadenhead. His new family company bottled its first whiskies in 2011. Their brands include the Exclusive Malts, Exclusive Grains, and a range of Exclusive Blends as well.

This is a blended Scotch containing malts and grain, all distilled in 1991 and married in ex-sherry butts. 

Highland Park 1989 Gordon and MacPhail 32 Year Old Batch #22/004

Highland Park was built by David Robertson all the way back in 1798. The distillery's relationship with blenders, Robertson & Baxter, saw it acquired by Highland Distillers in 1937, who were subsequently bought by Edrington in 1999, who run it today. The modern Highland Park single malt brand was first officially bottled in the 1970s, with the release of an 8 year old age statement, but distillery bottlings first appeared around the 1950s. The look of the brand has changed many times over the years, but its cult following and popularity has never diminished. It remains one of the most recognisable single malts in the world to this day.

Despite having produced occasional distillery bottlings for many years, Highland Park was one of several single malts that Highland Distillers licensed to Gordon & MacPhail, who produced semi-official bottlings as of the 1960s. This long-standing relationship with the distillery has furnished the company with a supply of high-quality casks, and subsequently, high quality releases over the years.

Distilled in 1989, this was matured in a refill sherry butt and bottled in December 2021.

The Connoisseurs Choice label is one of the most recognisable independent bottlings on the market, and this release follows the 2018 rejuvenation of the brand, which saw it reimagined as a premium single casks range.

Ichiro's Malt and Grain Symphony Allegro Single Cask #14915 / Spirits Of Salud

The Ichiro's Malt brand is produced by Japanese firm, Venture Whisky, and is named after their founder, Ichiro Akuto. Venture Whisky was established in 2004 after Ichiro acquired the remaining unblended stocks of single malt from his grandfather's Hanyu distillery. Ichiro's Malt was born the following year, with the release of the original 'Card' series single casks of Hanyu. The company then opened its own distillery in 2008, the increasingly sought-after Chichibu. In addition to bottling these two single malts, the Ichiro's Malt brand has also produced a number of sought after blended whiskies like this over the years.

This blended single cask whisky was matured in third-fill bourbon barrel #14915 and finished in an ex-peated cask. It was bottled exclusively for Spirits of Salud in 2024 as part of the Symphony series.

One of only 240 bottles.

Inchgower 12 Year Old De Luxe 1980s

Inchgower was built in 1871 by Alexander Wilson, using equipment rescued from the disused Tochineal distillery nearby. When his family went bankrupt, the distillery was bought by the town council, who sold it to Arthur Bell in 1937. As you would expect it has been a key constituent in the Bell's blend ever since. As with Blair Athol and Dufftown, Arthur Bell & Sons took an early interest in bottling its single malt, with official releases appearing from the 1970s. These disappeared when Guinness bought Bell's in 1985 however, and it was not until United Distillers launched the Flora & Fauna brand in 1991 that the former Bell's stable would receive distillery bottlings again. Nowadays important to the Johnnie Walker blend too, other official releases of Inchgower are rare.

This is an early 1980s bottling from the the Arthur Bell & Sons era.

Hennessy VS Cognac NBA Collector Edition

When the Irish Jacobite, Richard Hennessy, founded a distillery in 1765, he could not have possibly foreseen the scale to which his fledgling business would grow. Hennessy found himself in the right place at the right time as trade in alcoholic spirits was booming, extremely popular not only with the French but also with many people within the British Empire. In addition, Hennessy and the other cognac producers at the time also benefitted from rum shortages due to the Seven Years War. Fast forward to the 1970s and Kilian Hennessy, a fifth-generation descendant of Richard became the CEO of the family business. In 1971 she oversaw the merger of the business with French wine giant, Moët & Chandon, which created one of the biggest drinks companies in the world. The business was further strengthened in 1987 by the merger with fashion house, Louis Vuitton to create LVMH, however due to a managerial crisis the following year, Guinness (now Diageo) also came on board by securing a 34% share. Today Hennessy sell around 50 million bottles of cognac per year and account for more than 40% of the world’s supply.

Hine Triomphe Grand Champagne Cognac

A well-presented cognac from Hine in Jarnac, France.

In 1791 and at the age of 16, an Englishman from Dorset named Thomas Hine travelled to France to pursue his passion for cognac. His sense of historical timing however was disastrous, and after trying to flee the French Revolution he was imprisoned at the Château de Jarnac where he remained sequestered for several months. Fortunes turned in his favour however, and he later married Françoise-Elisabeth, the daughter of his hosts, subsequently taking over the running of the cognac production at the Château. With his product slowly gaining a positive reputation, he then renamed the brand after himself in 1817. Today Château de Jarnac remains the headquarters Hine, and it is one of the oldest buildings in the commune. In 1962 royalty came calling, with Queen Elizabeth II approving a royal warrant for Hine to supply the British royal household. To this day they are the only cognac house entrusted with such an honour.

Hine Family Reserve Grande Champagne Cognac

A well-aged cognac from the house of Hine, produced using grapes from the Grande Champagne region.

In 1791 and at the age of 16, an Englishman from Dorset named Thomas Hine travelled to France to pursue his passion for cognac. His sense of historical timing however was disastrous, and after trying to flee the French Revolution he was imprisoned at the Château de Jarnac where he remained sequestered for several months. Fortunes turned in his favour however, and he later married Françoise-Elisabeth, the daughter of his hosts, subsequently taking over the running of the cognac production at the Château. With his product slowly gaining a positive reputation, he then renamed the brand after himself in 1817. Today Château de Jarnac remains the headquarters Hine, and it is one of the oldest buildings in the commune. In 1962 royalty came calling, with Queen Elizabeth II approving a royal warrant for Hine to supply the British royal household. To this day they are the only cognac house entrusted with such an honour.

Hine Old Vintage Très Vieille Grand Champagne Cognac

In 1791 and at the age of 16, an Englishman from Dorset named Thomas Hine travelled to France to pursue his passion for cognac. His sense of historical timing however was disastrous, and after trying to flee the French Revolution he was imprisoned at the Château de Jarnac where he remained sequestered for several months. Fortunes turned in his favour however, and he later married Françoise-Elisabeth, the daughter of his hosts, subsequently taking over the running of the cognac production at the Château. With his product slowly gaining a positive reputation, he then renamed the brand after himself in 1817. Today Château de Jarnac remains the headquarters Hine, and it is one of the oldest buildings in the commune. In 1962 royalty came calling, with Queen Elizabeth II approving a royal warrant for Hine to supply the British royal household. To this day they are the only cognac house entrusted with such an honour.

Highland Park 12 Year Old early 2000s

Highland Park was built by David Robertson all the way back in 1798. The distillery's relationship with blenders, Robertson & Baxter, saw it acquired by Highland Distillers in 1937, who were subsequently bought by Edrington in 1999, who run it today. The modern Highland Park single malt brand was first officially bottled in the 1970s, with the release of an 8 year old age statement, but distillery bottlings first appeared around the 1950s. The look of the brand has changed many times over the years, but its cult following and popularity has never diminished. It remains one of the most recognisable single malts in the world to this day.

This classic bottling was whisky author Michael Jackson’s favourite tipple. Presented in the bottle style introduced by Edrington in 1999 and used until it was redesigned in 2006.

Heaven Hill 9 Year Old That Boutique-y Whisky Company Straight Corn Whiskey Batch #1

Launched in 2012, That Boutique-y Whisky Company is an independent bottler and subsidiary of the Atom Group in Kent, England. Their releases are notable for their use of comic book style graphic labels, often with irreverent industry jokes concealed within them. Their catalogue is hugely expansive, covering whiskies from all over the world, and they are now joined by sister companies who bottle Gin and Rum.

This is a straight corn whiskey from Heaven Hill's Bernheim distillery in Louisville, KY.

Bernheim is a historic Kentucky distillery. It was established by the Bernheim Brothers in the late 19th century, before passing into the hands of the Schenley company following the repeal of Prohibition. When Schenley were bought over by United Distillers in 1987, the distillery was rebuilt as the new owners looked to consolidate their production to a single facility. When United Distillers became Diageo in 1997, the new parent company were interested in bourbon, and sold the distillery to Heaven Hill. Heaven Hill were established in 1935, but their long-serving Bardstown distillery was lost in a devastating fire in 1996. Homeless for three years, the company acquired Bernheim in 1999, and have produced all of their whiskey there ever since.

Ichiro's Malt Double Distilleries 2021 / Chichibu and Komagatake

The Ichiro's Malt brand is produced by Japanese firm, Venture Whisky, and is named after their founder, Ichiro Akuto. Venture Whisky was established in 2004 after Ichiro acquired the remaining unblended stocks of single malt from his grandfather's Hanyu distillery. Ichiro's Malt was born the following year, with the release of the original 'Card' series single casks of Hanyu. The company then opened its own distillery in 2008, the increasingly sought-after Chichibu. In addition to bottling these two single malts, the Ichiro's Malt brand has also produced a number of sought after blended whiskies like this over the years.

Double Distilleries is an Ichiro's Malt vatting of malt produced from Mars Whisky's Shinshu and Ichiro's own Chichibu distillery.

One of 10,200 bottles.

High Coast Älv Batch #5

The Box Destilleri in Sweden was established in 2010 by Mats and Per de Vahl. It is located in a disused power station, previously acquired by Mats in 1991 and run as an art gallery. It is situated on the banks of the Angerman River in Adalen, Sweden, and plans to convert it into a distillery began in the early 2000s, with the first spirit distilled there in December 2010. The first Box single malts were bottled in 2014. In 2018 the distillery opted to change its name to High Coast following concerns from Scottish blenders, Compass Box, about the likelihood of confusion between the two brands.

This High Coast whisky is an unpeated single malt, matured in first-fill Bourbon casks.

High Coast Älv Batch #5

The Box Destilleri in Sweden was established in 2010 by Mats and Per de Vahl. It is located in a disused power station, previously acquired by Mats in 1991 and run as an art gallery. It is situated on the banks of the Angerman River in Adalen, Sweden, and plans to convert it into a distillery began in the early 2000s, with the first spirit distilled there in December 2010. The first Box single malts were bottled in 2014. In 2018 the distillery opted to change its name to High Coast following concerns from Scottish blenders, Compass Box, about the likelihood of confusion between the two brands.

This High Coast whisky is an unpeated single malt, matured in first-fill Bourbon casks.

High Coast Hav Batch #6

The Box Destilleri in Sweden was established in 2010 by Mats and Per de Vahl. It is located in a disused power station, previously acquired by Mats in 1991 and run as an art gallery. It is situated on the banks of the Angerman River in Adalen, Sweden, and plans to convert it into a distillery began in the early 2000s, with the first spirit distilled there in December 2010. The first Box single malts were bottled in 2014. In 2018 the distillery opted to change its name to High Coast following concerns from Scottish blenders, Compass Box, about the likelihood of confusion between the two brands.

Hav is made from 76.82% unpeated whisky and 23.18% peated whisky. 66.85% has been matured in small Hungarian and Swedish oak casks for up to 5 months before being transferred to Bourbon barrels for an average of 6.09 years. 30.84% has matured solely in Bourbon barrels and 2.67% has been finished Hungarian oak casks.

Hirsch Selection 13 Year Old Kentucky Straight Rye Lot #00-1 / Preiss Import

Hirsch Selection is a brand of American whiskey from Preiss Imports, an offshoot of the A.H. Hirsch Reserve name that they acquired from Gordon Hue. This 13 year old Kentucky rye was bottled at Old Commonwealth by Julian Van Winkle III and is the same liquid as the esteemed Van Winkle rye.

The rye is presumed to have been distilled at Medley in Owensboro, and acquired by Julian III through his connection to Stitzel-Weller, as United Distillers closed it down in the same year. 

This release was matured for 13 years in new charred American white oak cask #00-1 and bottled circa 2000 for Preiss Imports, California.

Highland Park 1955 Intertrade 30 Year Old Cask Strength / Nadi Fiori Collection - Signed

Highland Park was built by David Robertson all the way back in 1798. The distillery's relationship with blenders, Robertson & Baxter, saw it acquired by Highland Distillers in 1937, who were subsequently bought by Edrington in 1999, who run it today. The modern Highland Park single malt brand was first officially bottled in the 1970s, with the release of an 8 year old age statement, but distillery bottlings first appeared around the 1950s. The look of the brand has changed many times over the years, but its cult following and popularity has never diminished. It remains one of the most recognisable single malts in the world to this day.

This Highland Park was distilled on the 19th of November 1955 and matured for 30 years. It was bottled at cask strength on the 26th of November 1985 for Intertrade. This is also the highest-scoring Highland Park on WhiskyFun with 96 points.

Intertrade was established in Italy in the early 1980s by Nadi Fiori, the owner of the Taverna degli Artisti bar in Rimini. The company was a collaboration with beer distributors, the Turatello Brothers, and the Intertrade name appears on Fiori's bottlings up to around 1989. Fiori selected his whiskies from the Gordon & MacPhail catalogue, but as a collector himself, and a contemporary of his fellow connoisseur countrymen, Silvano Samaroli and Ernesto Mainardi, he knew the importance striking label designs and requested many of his bottlings at cask strength. Whether under the Intertrade, Turatello or High Spirits banner, Fiori's bottlings are some of the most sought after on the market.

One of only 216 bottles.

This bottle is signed by Nadi Fiori.

Edradour 1991 Straight From The Cask 11 Year Old #289 50cl

For a long time Edradour was Scotland's smallest distillery. Owned by William Whitely for much of the 20th century, it contributed malt for their King's Ransom blend, which had developed a strong sales network in the US with dubious Mafia boss, Frank Costello, as its representative. The distillery was eventually sold to Campbell Distillers in 1982, who opened it up to visitors and bottled its first official single malt in 1986. Despite its small size, the distillery has always found itself interested parties, with independent bottlers-turned-distillers, Signatory Vintage, purchasing it in 2002 when it was deemed surplus to requirements by Campbell Distillers parent firm, Pernod-Ricard.

This Edradour was distilled in October 1991 and matured in single sherry butt #289 for 11 years. It was bottled in August 2003.

One of 902 bottles.

Highland Park Odin 16 Year Old

Highland Park was built by David Robertson all the way back in 1798. The distillery's relationship with blenders, Robertson & Baxter, saw it acquired by Highland Distillers in 1937, who were subsequently bought by Edrington in 1999, who run it today. The modern Highland Park single malt brand was first officially bottled in the 1970s, with the release of an 8 year old age statement, but distillery bottlings first appeared around the 1950s. The look of the brand has changed many times over the years, but its cult following and popularity has never diminished. It remains one of the most recognisable single malts in the world to this day.

Released in 2015, this 16 year old is the last in Highland Park's Valhalla series, following previous annual releases Thor, Loki and Freya.

One of 17,000 bottles.

NOTE: Please be advised that the printed bottle graphics have a history of deteriorating from the glass over time. 

Highland Park Thor 16 Year Old

Highland Park was built by David Robertson all the way back in 1798. The distillery's relationship with blenders, Robertson & Baxter, saw it acquired by Highland Distillers in 1937, who were subsequently bought by Edrington in 1999, who run it today. The modern Highland Park single malt brand was first officially bottled in the 1970s, with the release of an 8 year old age statement, but distillery bottlings first appeared around the 1950s. The look of the brand has changed many times over the years, but its cult following and popularity has never diminished. It remains one of the most recognisable single malts in the world to this day.

The first in Highland Park's Valhalla series, released in 2012.  A 16 year old Highland Park, it was a limited edition of 23,000 bottles.

The quartet was completed with by annual instalments, seeing Thor followed by Loki in 2013, then Freya, and finally Odin in 2015.

NOTE: Please be advised that the printed bottle graphics have a history of deteriorating from the glass over time. 

English Whisky Co 2007 Chapter 9 Peated

Established in 2006, St George’s in Norfolk was the in England to produce single malt whisky. With Iain Henderson, formerly of Laphroaig and Edradour in charge, the distillery produced both peated and non-peated single malts, marketing both under this English Whisky Co, brand. Its first release in 2009 was the first legal English whisky in over a century. The brand is now simply known as The English, after it was relaunched in 2016.

This peated whisky was distilled in May 2007 and laid to rest in four first-fill bourbon casks for a minimum of three years before being bottled in June 2010.

High Coast Harbours Collection 01 50cl

The Box Destilleri in Sweden was established in 2010 by Mats and Per de Vahl. It is located in a disused power station, previously acquired by Mats in 1991 and run as an art gallery. It is situated on the banks of the Angerman River in Adalen, Sweden, and plans to convert it into a distillery began in the early 2000s, with the first spirit distilled there in December 2010. The first Box single malts were bottled in 2014. In 2018 the distillery opted to change its name to High Coast following concerns from Scottish blenders, Compass Box, about the likelihood of confusion between the two brands.

The Harbours Collection is the first release in the Ulvöhamn series.

High Coast Cinco 50cl

The Box Destilleri in Sweden was established in 2010 by Mats and Per de Vahl. It is located in a disused power station, previously acquired by Mats in 1991 and run as an art gallery. It is situated on the banks of the Angerman River in Adalen, Sweden, and plans to convert it into a distillery began in the early 2000s, with the first spirit distilled there in December 2010. The first Box single malts were bottled in 2014. In 2018 the distillery opted to change its name to High Coast following concerns from Scottish blenders, Compass Box, about the likelihood of confusion between the two brands.

This complex bottling has been matured in the following five styles of sherry cask:

• ex-Palo Cortado casks
• ex-Pedro Ximenez casks
• ex-Amontillado casks
• ex-Oloroso casks
• ex-Fino casks

High Coast Cinco 50cl

The Box Destilleri in Sweden was established in 2010 by Mats and Per de Vahl. It is located in a disused power station, previously acquired by Mats in 1991 and run as an art gallery. It is situated on the banks of the Angerman River in Adalen, Sweden, and plans to convert it into a distillery began in the early 2000s, with the first spirit distilled there in December 2010. The first Box single malts were bottled in 2014. In 2018 the distillery opted to change its name to High Coast following concerns from Scottish blenders, Compass Box, about the likelihood of confusion between the two brands.

This complex bottling has been matured in the following five styles of sherry cask:

• ex-Palo Cortado casks
• ex-Pedro Ximenez casks
• ex-Amontillado casks
• ex-Oloroso casks
• ex-Fino casks

High Coast Silent Mills Collection 04 50cl

The Box Destilleri in Sweden was established in 2010 by Mats and Per de Vahl. It is located in a disused power station, previously acquired by Mats in 1991 and run as an art gallery. It is situated on the banks of the Angerman River in Adalen, Sweden, and plans to convert it into a distillery began in the early 2000s, with the first spirit distilled there in December 2010. The first Box single malts were bottled in 2014. In 2018 the distillery opted to change its name to High Coast following concerns from Scottish blenders, Compass Box, about the likelihood of confusion between the two brands.

A peated malt, matured in first fill Bourbon casks and first fill port wine casks.

High Coast Silent Mills Collection 04 50cl

The Box Destilleri in Sweden was established in 2010 by Mats and Per de Vahl. It is located in a disused power station, previously acquired by Mats in 1991 and run as an art gallery. It is situated on the banks of the Angerman River in Adalen, Sweden, and plans to convert it into a distillery began in the early 2000s, with the first spirit distilled there in December 2010. The first Box single malts were bottled in 2014. In 2018 the distillery opted to change its name to High Coast following concerns from Scottish blenders, Compass Box, about the likelihood of confusion between the two brands.

A peated malt, matured in first fill Bourbon casks and first fill port wine casks.

Inverleven 1984 Gordon and MacPhail bottled 1996

Inverleven was a single malt distillery located within the Dumbarton grain complex. Dumbarton had been built by Canadian giants, Hiram Walker, in 1936 in order to provide whisky for its newly acquired Ballantine's brand. The distillery consisted of two copper pot stills and, later, a lomond still which was actually considered to be a seperate distillery, simply called Lomond. The latter was decommissioned in 1985, with Inverleven following suit in 1991 and the wider Dumbarton complex in 2002. The whole site has now been demolished. Inverleven's legacy lives on however, most prominently in its still set. The Lomond still now produces The Botanist gin at Bruichladdich, and the spirit and wash stills are now in situ at Waterford distillery in Ireland. Its legacy is less prominent in its output, with most of its whisky reserved for blends. Occasional distillery bottlings were produced, but the majority are rare independent releases like this. 

This is a 1984 vintage from Gordon & MacPhail, bottled in 1996.

When Gordon & MacPhail were producing official bottlings under license in the 1970s, each distillery was labelled using a specific branding determined by their parent companies, such as DCL, Hiram Walker or Highland Distillers. By the 1980s, single malts were increasing in popularity and Gordon & MacPhail began to create a “house label” for every distillery, each with its own unique style, as is presented here. Although no longer the licensees, Gordon & MacPhail still produce bottles like this for many distilleries today, renamed in 2018 as their Distillery Labels range.

Hibiki Japanese Harmony Master's Select

Suntory are one of the founding fathers of Japanese whisky, established by Shinjirō Torii in 1899 as a wine store in Osaka. The venture was hugely successful, and the company was renamed Kotobukiya in 1921, which built its first distillery three years later, Yamazaki. The distillery produced both malt and grain whiskies which the company blended together, releasing its first Suntory White Label in 1929, the resulting popularity of which saw the firm renamed after it 1963. Expansion in the next decade saw the company move its grain production to a new Chita distillery in 1972, and open a second malt distillery, Hakushu, the following year. Suntory today has a large stake in both the bourbon and Scotch whisky industry, but remains at the forefront of its native whisky market too.

This is Suntory's most popular blend, the Hibiki. Launched in 1989, it contains malt whisky from Yamazaki and Hakushu, and grain from the Chita distillery. It was developed by fourth generation chief blender Shinji Fukuyo with production overseen by third generation master blender and great-grandson of the founder, Shingo Torii, and is presented in a bottle with 24 facets representing the 24 seasons of the Japanese lunar calendar. The non-age statement Japanese Harmony was introduced in 2015, following the discontinuation of the 12 year old as the entry level to the core range.

The Master's Select is a travel retail exclusive.

Hibiki Japanese Harmony Master's Select

Suntory are one of the founding fathers of Japanese whisky, established by Shinjirō Torii in 1899 as a wine store in Osaka. The venture was hugely successful, and the company was renamed Kotobukiya in 1921, which built its first distillery three years later, Yamazaki. The distillery produced both malt and grain whiskies which the company blended together, releasing its first Suntory White Label in 1929, the resulting popularity of which saw the firm renamed after it 1963. Expansion in the next decade saw the company move its grain production to a new Chita distillery in 1972, and open a second malt distillery, Hakushu, the following year. Suntory today has a large stake in both the bourbon and Scotch whisky industry, but remains at the forefront of its native whisky market too.

This is Suntory's most popular blend, the Hibiki. Launched in 1989, it contains malt whisky from Yamazaki and Hakushu, and grain from the Chita distillery. It was developed by fourth generation chief blender Shinji Fukuyo with production overseen by third generation master blender and great-grandson of the founder, Shingo Torii, and is presented in a bottle with 24 facets representing the 24 seasons of the Japanese lunar calendar. The non-age statement Japanese Harmony was introduced in 2015, following the discontinuation of the 12 year old as the entry level to the core range.

The Master's Select is a travel retail exclusive.

Hakushu 12 Year Old 

Hakushu was the third distillery built by Suntory, established in 1973 to shoulder some of the malt production burden for Yamazaki. The latter’s grain production had moved entirely to the new Chita distillery the year prior as well. Hakushu was built at the foot of the Southern Japan Alps, a location deliberately chosen by Suntory to provide a contrast to the style of spirit produced at Yamazaki. Interestingly, a second distillery was built in 1981 (referred to as Hakushu East) which has stills of varying shapes and sizes which are able to produce a wide range of distillate character. This is in contrast to the now-dormant old site (referred to as Hakushu West) which had 24 large stills identical in shape and size, but only capable of producing one particular style of distillate. The first Hakushu single malt was bottled in 1994.

This is the distillery's 12 year old core-range expression.