Suntory to Halt Sales of Hakushu, Hibiki Whisky Products

May 16, 2018

Tokyo- Suntory Spirits Ltd. will suspend sales of the two mainstay whisky products of Hakushu 12 Years and Hibiki 17 Years due to shortages of whisky for them amid increasing demand in and outside Japan, it was learned Tuesday.

The stock of Hakushu 12 Years is expected to run out around June and that of Hibiki 17 Years around September, informed sources said.

The unit of Suntory Holdings Ltd. intends to increase its production capacity to realize an early restart of their sales.

The company failed to keep up with supply as demand grew at a faster pace than expected when whisky for the products was produced more than a decade ago.

In April 2016, Suntory Spirits also suspended sales of a Kakubin brand product with 43 pct alcohol for a similar reason. Jiji Press