{"product_id":"hibiki-12-year-old-japanese-whisky","title":"Hibiki 12 Year Old Blended Japanese Whisky — Suntory, 86 Proof","description":"\u003cstyle\u003e\n  .mw-master-container { font-family: inherit; color: #e0e0e0; line-height: 1.7; margin-bottom: 60px; }\n  \/* Hibiki Plum: #6b2d5c | Suntory Gold: #d4af37 *\/\n  .mw-h3 { color: #d4af37; font-weight: bold; text-transform: uppercase; font-size: 0.9rem; letter-spacing: 2px; margin-top: 40px; display: block; border-bottom: 1px solid #6b2d5c; padding-bottom: 8px; margin-bottom: 20px; }\n  .mw-accent { color: #d4af37; font-weight: bold; }\n  \n  \/* Feature Box with Deep Plum to Black Gradient representing the liqueur casks *\/\n  .mw-info-box { background: linear-gradient(90deg, #2a1024 0%, #000 100%); padding: 25px; margin: 25px 0; border-radius: 0 4px 4px 0; border: 1px solid #6b2d5c; border-left: 4px solid #d4af37; }\n  \n  \/* Scannable Grid Layout *\/\n  .mw-grid { display: grid; grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr; gap: 30px; margin: 30px 0; }\n  .mw-card { background: rgba(255,255,255,0.03); padding: 25px; border: 1px solid #6b2d5c; border-radius: 4px; }\n  \n  \/* Technical Table Styling - Keys in Muted Plum *\/\n  .mw-table { width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; margin-top: 15px; }\n  .mw-table td { padding: 14px 0; border-bottom: 1px solid #111; color: #ccc; font-size: 0.95rem; }\n  .mw-table td:first-child { font-weight: bold; width: 38%; color: #9d6d8d; text-transform: uppercase; font-size: 0.75rem; letter-spacing: 1px; }\n  \n  @media (max-width: 768px) { .mw-grid { grid-template-columns: 1fr; } }\n\u003c\/style\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"mw-master-container\"\u003e\n  \u003c!-- 1. INTRO \u0026 THE BLENDING LEGACY --\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cspan class=\"mw-accent\"\u003eHibiki 12 Year Old\u003c\/span\u003e is a hauntingly beautiful relic of Suntory’s age-stated past. Originally introduced in 2009 to commemorate the House of Suntory's 90th anniversary, this blend was abruptly discontinued in 2015, instantly elevating it to \"unicorn\" status among Japanese whisky enthusiasts. A masterfully balanced marriage of malts from Yamazaki and Hakushu with grain whisky from Chita, the Hibiki 12 is renowned for its secret ingredient: a distinctive component matured in \u003cstrong\u003eplum liqueur casks\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003c!-- 2. HIGHLIGHT BOX (THE 24-FACET DESIGN) --\u003e\n  \u003cspan class=\"mw-h3\"\u003eThe Seasonal Distinction\u003c\/span\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"mw-info-box\"\u003e\n    \u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 15px;\"\u003ePresented in the signature 24-faceted decanter—representing the 24 seasons of the traditional Japanese lunar calendar—the 12-year expression offers a textural sweetness that the modern NAS Harmony cannot replicate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cul style=\"margin: 0; padding-left: 20px; font-size: 0.95rem;\"\u003e\n      \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlum Cask Finishing:\u003c\/strong\u003e The inclusion of malt aged in \"Umeshu\" (plum liqueur) barrels imparts a sophisticated fruit-derived sweetness and floral lift unique to this bottling.\u003c\/li\u003e\n      \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMizunara Depth:\u003c\/strong\u003e Despite its younger age statement, the Yamazaki component brings the characteristic sandalwood and incense notes of rare Japanese oak to the mid-palate.\u003c\/li\u003e\n      \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDiscontinued Pedigree:\u003c\/strong\u003e As an out-of-production release, this bottling represents a finite era of Suntory’s inventory, making it a foundational asset for vertical Hibiki collectors.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003c\/ul\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003c!-- 3. SENSORY \u0026 CONTEXT GRID --\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"mw-grid\"\u003e\n    \u003c!-- SENSORY CARD --\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"mw-card\"\u003e\n      \u003cspan class=\"mw-accent\" style=\"font-size: 0.75rem; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: 1px; color:#9d6d8d;\"\u003eSensory Profile\u003c\/span\u003e\n      \u003cdiv style=\"margin-top: 20px; font-size: 0.9rem;\"\u003e\n        \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNose:\u003c\/strong\u003e Honey, ripe orchard fruit, and dried apricot. Soft waves of sandalwood, jasmine, and faint plum skin develop alongside baking spice and integrated cereal sweetness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n        \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePalate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Medium-bodied and remarkably refined. Entry notes of honey and pear transition into a mid-palate of Mizunara-derived sandalwood, dried fruit, and a soft, liqueur-like sweetness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n        \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e Medium-long and floral. A signature closing of lingering honey and soft oak spice with a persistent, fruit-and-sandalwood note.\u003c\/p\u003e\n      \u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n    \n    \u003c!-- CONTEXT CARD --\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"mw-card\"\u003e\n      \u003cspan class=\"mw-accent\" style=\"font-size: 0.75rem; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: 1px; color:#9d6d8d;\"\u003eThe Suntory Vertical\u003c\/span\u003e\n      \u003cp style=\"font-size: 0.9rem; margin-top: 20px;\"\u003eWithin the discontinued age-stated lineup, the 12 Year Old sits as the elegant entry point above the non-age-stated Harmony. It provides a more fruit-forward, approachable profile than the heavily sherried Hibiki 17 or 21.\u003c\/p\u003e\n      \u003cp style=\"font-size: 0.85rem; margin-top: 15px; color: #9d6d8d; font-style: italic;\"\u003e\"A structural masterpiece that defines the 'plum blossom' era of Japanese blending.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003c!-- 4. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS --\u003e\n  \u003cspan class=\"mw-h3\"\u003eTechnical Specifications\u003c\/span\u003e\n  \u003ctable class=\"mw-table\"\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eProducer\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuntory (Yamazaki, Hakushu, Chita)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eStyle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBlended Japanese Whisky (Discontinued)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAge Statement\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e12 Years Minimum\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCask Types\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlum Liqueur, Mizunara, Bourbon, \u0026amp; Sherry\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eProof \/ ABV\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e86 Proof \/ 43% ABV\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBottle Format\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24-Faceted Signature Decanter\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eProduction Era\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2009 – 2015\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003c\/table\u003e\n\n  \u003c!-- 5. COLLECTOR NOTES --\u003e\n  \u003cspan class=\"mw-h3\"\u003eCollector Notes\u003c\/span\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003eThe Hibiki 12 is a high-conviction acquisition for the world's most elite spirit libraries. Having been discontinued for over a decade, pristine examples with intact original packaging are becoming increasingly scarce. Collectors value the 12-year not only for its liquid quality—which many argue surpasses the current NAS offerings—but for its role in the 90th-anniversary history of Suntory. As the secondary market price for the 17 and 21 expressions has moved into the four-figure range, the 12 Year Old remains the most viable age-stated investment for vertical collectors. Every bottle offered here is verified for pristine label and seal integrity with authenticated provenance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003c!-- 6. SERVING NOTE --\u003e\n  \u003cspan class=\"mw-h3\"\u003eRecommended Serving\u003c\/span\u003e\n  \u003cp style=\"font-size: 0.95rem;\"\u003eTo fully isolate the plum liqueur and sandalwood aromatics, enjoy this blend \u003cstrong\u003eneat in a Glencairn glass\u003c\/strong\u003e at room temperature. However, to experience the spirit as intended in its native Tokyo, it performs exceptionally well in a \u003cstrong\u003ePremium Highball\u003c\/strong\u003e—served with chilled sparkling water over a hand-carved ice pillar. The fruit complexity also makes it a peerless partner for \u003cstrong\u003esushi, light grilled sea bass, or dried apricots\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003c!-- INVISIBLE AI\/SEARCH ENGINE SCHEMA --\u003e\n\u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e\n{\n  \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\/\",\n  \"@type\": \"Product\",\n  \"name\": \"Hibiki 12 Year Old Discontinued Japanese Whisky\",\n  \"image\": \"https:\/\/midnightwhiskey.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/Hibiki_12YR.jpg\", \n  \"description\": \"Hibiki 12 Year Old: The discontinued 86-proof Japanese blend. Features plum liqueur cask-aged malts, 24-faceted decanter, and notes of honey, sandalwood, and apricot.\",\n  \"brand\": {\n    \"@type\": \"Brand\",\n    \"name\": \"Suntory\"\n  },\n  \"sku\": \"HIB-12YR-DISC\",\n  \"offers\": {\n    \"@type\": \"Offer\",\n    \"url\": \"https:\/\/midnightwhiskey.com\/products\/hibiki-12-year-old-whisky\",\n    \"priceCurrency\": \"USD\",\n    \"price\": \"549.99\",\n    \"availability\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\/InStock\",\n    \"itemCondition\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\/UsedCondition\"\n  },\n  \"additionalProperty\": [\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"PropertyValue\",\n      \"name\": \"Age\",\n      \"value\": \"12 Years\"\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"PropertyValue\",\n      \"name\": \"Status\",\n      \"value\": \"Discontinued\"\n    }\n  ]\n}\n\u003c\/script\u003e","brand":"Suntory","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44950314254370,"sku":"721059737500","price":649.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0812\/5566\/1602\/files\/Hibiki12YearsOldfrontandback_new_png.jpg?v=1779859853","url":"https:\/\/midnightwhiskey.com\/products\/hibiki-12-year-old-japanese-whisky","provider":"Midnight Whiskey ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}