This Long Discontinued 17 Year Old Whisky Is Set For A Legendary Comeback In 2026
The "Whisky Boom" of the last decade was a double-edged sword. Sure, it brought incredible attention to the spirit we love, but it also drained the world’s warehouses dry.
We watched in horror as beloved age-statement bottles—staples on our shelves for years—suddenly doubled in price, then tripled, and then simply vanished, replaced by younger, "No Age Statement" (NAS) alternatives.
We were told the stocks were gone. We were told we had drunk it all.
But whisky is a game of patience. And while we were mourning our losses, distilleries were quietly laying down barrels.
Industry insiders have been buzzing for months. The math is finally starting to add up. The "Great Drought" is ending. And the whispers are growing louder: 2026 is the year the ghosts return.
There is one specific 17-year-old legend that everyone is talking about. A bottle so iconic its discontinuation made global headlines. We will get to that one shortly.
But first, we need to look at the other contenders. Because if the rumors about stock replenishment are true, that legendary bottle isn't the only 17-year-old icon poised for a Lazarus-like resurrection in 2026.
Here are the bottles enthusiasts are praying return this year.
Contender #1: The Underrated Pure Malt (Nikka Taketsuru 17)
When the Japanese whisky crisis hit its peak around 2020, Nikka made the heartbreaking announcement that they were "suspending" virtually all their age-statement whiskies. The Taketsuru 17, a stunning "Pure Malt" (a blend of single malts from their Yoichi and Miyagikyo distilleries), was a massive casualty.
It was balanced, complex, and the definition of Japanese elegance.
Why 2026? Nikka has been very transparent about their massive investment in expanding production over the last 8 years. They have been desperate to get age statements back on the shelf to compete on the global stage. While the 21-year-old might still be too far off, the 17-year-old is squarely in the window for a triumphant return.
Contender #2: The Speyside Classic (The Balvenie DoubleWood 17)
This one hurt. For years, the Balvenie DoubleWood 12 has been the gateway drug for scotch lovers. But the 17-year-old version was the perfected form—older, richer, with deeper sherry notes from the second maturation.
Then, a few years ago, Balvenie axed it to make room for a 16-year-old French Oak expression. The whisky world was not amused.
Why 2026? Brand loyalty. The cries for the return of the DW17 have never stopped. Distilleries listen to their fans, especially when their fans are willing to pay a premium. There are strong rumors in Speyside that Balvenie has realized the 17 was a core pillar of their identity and that barrels have been earmarked for its return.
The Proof It Can Happen: Ardbeg 17
If you think these are just pipe dreams, look at Islay. The Ardbeg 17 was a mythical bottling discontinued way back in 2004. It was widely considered gone forever.
Yet, in late 2024/early 2025, Ardbeg shocked the world by bringing it back. They proved that distilleries do hide stock, and they do resurrect dead labels when the time is right.
If Ardbeg can do it, others can too.
The Main Event: The Return of the King
Nikka and Balvenie would be massive news. But they aren't the legend.
There is one bottle whose disappearance in 2018 signaled the true "end of an era" for affordable luxury whisky. It was the movie star. The bottle that defined its entire category globally.
When it was "suspended" due to critical stock shortages, prices on the secondary market shot from $150 to over $800 overnight.
We are, of course, talking about the Suntory Hibiki 17 Year Old.
This is the comeback the entire industry is banking on for 2026.
Why the math finally works: Suntory didn't kill Hibiki 17 because they wanted to; they killed it because they literally ran out of 17-year-old liquid around 2018.
But look at the timeline. The Japanese whisky boom really kicked into high gear around 2010-2012. That is exactly when Suntory began frantically ramping up production and laying down thousands of fresh barrels.
Do the math: 2010 plus 17 years.
We are right in the sweet spot. The "emergency stock" they distilled during the initial boom is finally coming of age.
The whispers from Tokyo suggest that 2026 is the target date for a limited re-release to test the waters, perhaps coinciding with a major anniversary or industry event.
If you see a bottle of Hibiki 17 on a shelf in 2026 for retail price, don't ask questions. Just buy it. It might be the last chance you ever get.
Written By,
K.O.W
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