News Release

Suntory Spirits Limited the First Japanese Company To Be Named the Distiller of the Year for the Second Time
Hibiki 21 Years Old Named the World’s Best Blended Whisky for a Record Fifth Time

Suntory Spirits Limited won the Distiller of the Year award at the Icons of Whisky 2017 competition hosted by Whisky Magazine. This award distinguishes one whisky maker (distiller) from those around the world for outstanding contributions to the industry during the year. This is the second time that Suntory Spirits Limited has received the award, the first time being in 2010* when it was the first Japanese company to do so. Suntory Spirits Limited is also honored to be the first Japanese company to win the award twice.
*The company received the award in 2010 under its former name, Suntory Liquors Limited.

Whisky Magazine stated that they selected Suntory Spirits for the award due to its track record of developing distillers, producing high-quality Suntory whiskies, having high-level blending skills, and winning World Whisky Awards for Suntory whiskies. The award also appreciates the company for building a strong foundation for expanding and promoting the recognition of Japanese whiskies around the world, according to Whisky Magazine.

Suntory’s Hibiki 21 Years Old was also recognized as the World’s Best Blended Whisky in Whisky Magazine’s World Whiskies Awards 2017. Hibiki 21 Years Old received this award for the second consecutive year and for a record fifth time altogether.
This award is a great honor, as it has provided further grounding to the high evaluation of our blending skills and product quality.
The award ceremony for both awards was held on Thursday, March 30 in London.

● Receiving the Distiller of the Year award at the Icons of Whisky competition
Held by Whisky Magazine, Icons of Whisky is one of the most renowned whisky competitions. It recognizes makers, distillers and people for their outstanding contribution to the whisky industry.
This time, Suntory Spirits Limited won the Distiller of the Year award, which honors one company from whisky makers around the world for remarkable contribution to the industry.

● Receiving the World’s Best Blended Whisky prize at the World Whiskies Awards
Now in its 11th year, the World Whiskies Awards are a world-wide whisky contest held by Whisky Magazine. Entries are made from whisky distilleries around the world, from which a representative whisky of each country is selected before the final screening stage. The whiskies are divided into different categories, such as Single Malt Whisky and Blended Whisky, and one winner is selected in each category after rigorous blind tasting.

◆ About Hibiki 21 Years Old
This whisky is a blend of rare and carefully selected mature malt and grain whiskies aged over 21 years. The key Yamazaki sherry casked malt is vatted with other carefully chosen mellow grain whiskies over 21 years old. With aromas of sweet dried fruit and a spicy flavor, it is characterized by a solemn, refined richness and profound, lingering echoes.

◆ Major Awards Received by Hibiki 21 Years Old
- World Whiskies Awards
　“World’s Best Blended Whisky” 2010, 2011, 2013, 2016
- International Spirits Challenge
　Category's Top Award “Trophy” 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
　“Gold medal” 2004, 2005, 2006, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016

● Competition Summary