Travelers passing through Indian international airports now have two exciting new whisky releases to look forward to. The House of Suntory's Hibiki 12 Years Old Travel Exclusive Series and Suntory Global Spirits' Laphroaig 12-Year-Old Travel Retail Exclusive are now available at select Indian airport duty-free stores, including Delhi Duty Free and Ospree Duty Free Mumbai.
While both expressions come from vastly different whisky traditions, their arrival highlights the growing importance of travel retail as a new and important channel for premium and limited-edition releases. Hibiki 12 marks its return to the travel retail channel after an 11-year absence, while Laphroaig 12 continues its global rollout after initially launching exclusively through Gebr. Heinemann's travel retail network in 2025.
Travel retail has increasingly become home to exclusive whisky releases, giving travelers access to expressions that aren't always available through regular retail channels. The return of Hibiki 12 Years Old Travel Exclusive Series after more than a decade makes this one of the year's most significant launches for Japanese whisky enthusiasts, while the expansion of Laphroaig 12-Year-Old Travel Retail Exclusive gives Indian travelers easier access to one of the distillery's newest expressions.
Hibiki 12 first returned to travel retail in May with its debut at Dubai International Airport before rolling out to key international hubs, including India. At the same time, Laphroaig 12 expanded beyond its original exclusive travel retail launch to reach selected duty-free locations around the world. Together, these releases strengthen India's position as an important market for premium travel-exclusive whiskies.
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The new Hibiki 12 Years Old Travel Exclusive Series, by The House Of Suntory, has been reimagined by fifth-generation Chief Blender Shinji Fukuyo. This reinterpretation visits Hibiki's original vision by blending malt whiskies from Yamazaki and Hakushu with grain whisky from Chita.
The expression is matured in a combination of American oak, Spanish oak, and Mizunara oak casks. At the heart of the whisky is the distinctive Yamazaki malt, while American oak contributes warmth and body, Spanish oak introduces additional layers of complexity, and Mizunara oak creates a deep, resonant finish that lingers long after every sip.
According to The House of Suntory, Hibiki 12 pours a warm, pale golden amber.
On the nose, it offers aromas of plum wine, cooked apples dusted with cinnamon, honeyed marmalade, and floral undertones. The palate is smooth and elegant, delivering flavors of caramelized pear, vanilla, crushed almonds, and soft clove-studded citrus, all balanced by gentle oak. The whisky finishes silky and long with lingering notes of sweet honey, soft oak, and subtle exotic spices, encouraging drinkers to fully experience the artistry behind Japanese whisky.
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The launch also introduces refreshed packaging inspired by Kacho-Fugetsu, a classical Japanese concept that celebrates the beauty of nature through flowers, birds, wind, and the moon. The design reflects the philosophy that has long influenced Japanese art and craftsmanship while giving the travel-exclusive release a distinct visual identity.
Hibiki's signature 24-faceted bottle, symbolizing Japan's 24 microseasons, has been retained, while the updated packaging incorporates the traditional Marumado circular window motif alongside flowing water elements. Together, these design details reinforce the brand's emphasis on harmony, balance, and Japanese craftsmanship beyond the whisky itself.
Suntory Global Spirits has also expanded the availability of Laphroaig 12-Year-Old Travel Retail Exclusive to selected duty-free stores across India. Rooted in more than two centuries of Islay whisky-making tradition, the expression has been developed to appeal to both long-time admirers of Laphroaig and travelers exploring peated Scotch for the first time.
The whisky is matured in carefully selected American oak ex-bourbon barrels and bottled at 46% ABV without chill filtration, allowing it to retain its full natural aroma and character. According to Dr. Calum Fraser, Master Blender at Laphroaig, the expression represents "the perfect balance between our signature peated intensity and the refined influence of time," making it an important milestone for the distillery's travel retail portfolio.
Designed to balance Laphroaig's unmistakable style with an inviting flavor profile, the whisky brings together sweetness, salt, and signature peat smoke.
Its tasting profile features notes of:
The combination creates a bold yet approachable expression that reflects Laphroaig's distinctive character while welcoming whisky-curious travelers looking to experience peated Scotch.
The arrival of Hibiki 12 Years Old Travel Exclusive Series and Laphroaig 12-Year-Old Travel Retail Exclusive gives Indian travelers access to two distinctive whiskies that celebrate very different whisky-making traditions. One returns to travel retail after an 11-year gap with a reimagined Japanese whisky blend, while the other expands its global travel retail presence with a balanced expression that combines sweetness, salt, and signature peat smoke.
For travelers passing through India's international airports, these launches offer the opportunity to explore two exclusive whiskies that showcase the craftsmanship of The House of Suntory and Laphroaig, making them worthwhile additions to any duty-free shopping list.
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