Hibiki Japanese Harmony Suntory Whisky, 70cl

Product Information

As with most Japanese whisky, price tags tend to be a little on the high side, so finding a top notch single malt on a budget isn’t easy. This bottle from The Yamakazi might be considered pricey for a no age statement release, but it’s considerably less than aged Japanese whisky of a similar quality and, thanks to some of the whisky used coming from mizunara oak casks, it’s very much Japanese in taste.

Sherry cask malt whisky: Working as a “dressing” or highlight, this somewhat older whisky is the only dark-amber component of the main five and provides personality, flavor and top notes of dried fruit, cigar, plum and wood. Going by the overall color of Harmony, this must be a fairly small component of the blend. BUY HERE Nikka Days 40% Suntory, The Yamakazi Distiller’s Reserve, 43% Suntory, The Yamakazi Distiller’s Reserve, 43% Those various layers continue to play on the palate, with a drizzle of honey sweeting things up and contrasting nicely with some drier spices and toasted oak that linger at the finish. It’s the perfect introduction to the Japanese blender’s art.Chita grain whisky: The company calls it the “dashi” or “broth” designed to bring everything together. On its own, it is clearly young but aromatically rich with caramel, anise and honey notes. Schrieberg, Felipe. "4 Facts You Should Know About The Japanese Whisky Crisis". Forbes . Retrieved 2019-07-17. Much like traditional whisky producing nations Scotland, Ireland and America it has built a history that includes celebrated producers, big businesses, cheap imitators and distillery closures, and it has expanded to produce a wide range of styles. Mizunara cask malt whisky: Another “dressing” component, this is the oldest whisky in the blend, aged 12 to 15 years in Japanese Mizunara casks and providing a “Japanese character” to the whisky. On the nose, it’s slightly vegetal with soft spices. On the palate, it is medium- to heavy-bodied and chewy, with hints of baking spice, toasted coconut and dried herbs.

Hibiki translates as ‘harmony’ and the blender’s aim is to use those various whiskies to create something harmonious on the palate, and we think it achieves this brilliantly. Spend some time taking in its aroma and you’ll begin to appreciate the various elements coming together, with fruits, spices, floral and woody notes all present. Rather beautifully, ‘hibiki’ means resonance in Japanese, and this speaks to the artistic sensibility of the product. Hibiki was born in the form of a blend that was the result of sampling and tasting aged malt whiskies from one million casks at Suntory. The current incarnations are made from a blend of more than 30 individual malt and mellow grain whiskies, and the final blend is topped off with a whisky aged more than 30 years. This concludes a process that sees the master blender taste over 300 malt whisky samples a day. From its inception to its current forms, Hibiki’s craft and method reflects its core ideologies of harmony and resonance with a caring and precise vision.Japanese whisky tends to be a bit more expensive than whisky from elsewhere in the world, so finding a bottle on a budget isn’t easy. Nikka Days is a good choice if you want to try out a Japanese whisky without breaking the bank, with its bright and cheerful character typical of the country’s output. The first whiskies produced in Japan were made along similar lines to Scotch, but over the years the country’s output has evolved to appeal more to its own market by reflecting Japanese tastes. In turn, these unique whiskies have become much sought out around the world.

For a truly Japanese tasting whisky, look for a spirit that has been aged in Japanese Oak, known as Mizunara, that produces a taste often compared to coconut. It’s hard to work with, but Japan’s whisky makers have perfected the craft and it is now used by several distilleries. Pfanner, Eric (May 15, 2014). "Suntory Still has M&A Thirst". The Wall Street Journal . Retrieved March 1, 2016. Malt whisky aged in American white oak: The brand says this creates a “solid base” of flavor. On its own, this component is brash and oaky on the nose. It opens sweet and light-bodied, with hints of tannin and spice. When it comes to making an authentic Japanese highball, attention to detail is all important: everything needs to be just right. The right glass, the right whisky, the right soda and even the right kind of ice. For the whisky, you can’t go wrong with The Chita from Suntory.

The answer is firmly, undeniably, YES. When it comes to handing out ‘world’s best whisky’ awards, winner’s certificates regularly make their way to Japanese distillery walls. This distillery is a newcomer in the world of Japanese whisky, having only begun operations in 2016. Akkeshi is located in the far north of Japan on the island of Hokkaido, with a wet, cool climate that is likened to that of Islay in Scotland. This whisky, with a name that translates to “white crane,” is the first single malt release from the distillery, a young (at least three years old) blend of liquid aged in bourbon barrels, sherry butts, red wine casks, and Mizunara oak. It’s a fruity dram with notes of vanilla and spice, and being bottled at 96 proof provides a bit of heat that lingers on the palate as you sip. This is available in fairly limited numbers here in the US, but it’s definitely worth a try if you are a Japanese whisky fan. There are a few other expressions from the distillery to try as well, including the New Born “Foundations 4” blend matured in sherry and other types of casks, and the lightly-eated Usui blend. There’s a woodland feel to both aroma and flavour, with floral, oak and even slightly fungal notes present, along with some fruitier hits of cherry. It’s a complex whisky – keep sipping slowly and you might even detect some coconut, which is typical of mizunara whiskies – and it has a mellow depth that will make you want to savour every drop. Whatever mysterious magic this sea adventure conjures up seems to work a treat in their lightly peated whisky, where delicate, sweet vanilla and soft smoke merge with zesty citrus flavours and a honeyed sweetness. There are also fresh touches of berries and a dry oak that seems to catch the flow of the smoke like incense and drift with a dusty dryness that lingers for an age. A deliciously unique peated whisky.

Hibiki was introduced in 1989 by Suntory, originally with expressions having age statements of 17 and 21 years. [5] (In the convention for whisky age statements, the age stated is the age of the youngest whisky in the blend.) A 30-year expression was introduced in 1997, and a 12-year expression was introduced in 2009. [5] Get the latest intel on which bottles of booze are worth your hard-earned cash. Join Esquire Select. BUY HERE Kaiyo Mizunara Oak Peated, 46% Karuizawa 36 Year Old, Sapphire Geisha, 61.2% Karuizawa 36 Year Old, Sapphire Geisha, 61.2% Hibiki 21 Wins World's Best Blended Whisky award". Whisky Magazine. Archived from the original on May 12, 2013 . Retrieved May 10, 2013. It has a range of characteristics you would associate with more expensive Japanese blends, including a floral bouquet, citrus juiciness, ginger and vanilla spice, along with some oak and almond depth. It’s a perfectly decent drop and distinctively Japanese.

Japan has been firmly established as a whisky producing nation for many decades and, with new distilleries cropping up all over the world, it is now seen as one of the old guard. Japan is also noted for its blended whisky. Seen as an art form in Japan, the best whisky blenders are highly respected individuals. Often they will use a variety of whiskies to subtly build up layers of flavour, tending to favour delicacy and balance ahead of big, bold sipping experiences, to create a style that is distinctly Japanese. Karuizawa: why is it a cult whisky brand?