Hibiki Harmony Japanese Whiskey

For the record, single malts entering in the composition of Hibiki come from Yamazaki and Hakushu distilleries, while grain whiskey comes from Chita distillery

Nose rose, lychee, hint of rosemary, mature woodiness, sandalwood

Palate

honeylike sweetness, candied orange peel, white chocolate

Finish

subtle, tender long finish, with hint of Mizunara (Japanese oak) Distillery Notes

Hibiki Harmony Japanese Whiskey.That there is an issue with available volumes of Japanese whisky is not exactly news. Indeed, there’s a whole feature about it in this issue. One of the solutions to this has been the creation of new no age statement (NAS) whiskies, of which this is one; though to be honest, the idea of a NAS blend is hardly news. The way in which Suntory’s chief blender Shinji Fukuyo has approached this is, however. In fact, you could argue that not having a minimum age to work with has opened up a new range of creative possibilities for him. It comprises a mix of whiskies from Yamazaki and Hakushu, as well as the different ‘weights’ of grain whiskies made at Chita. There’s mizunara, there’s sherry, there’s American oak, there’s smoke. It is approachable, gentle, complex, and long, with typical Hibiki fruitiness: strawberry, pineapple, peach, cherry blossom, balanced by delicate oak, and a palate which has a gentle roundness. It’s a master class in blending. It’s also a master class in how great NAS should be. —Dave Broom, Whisky Advocate Japanese Whiskey of the Year 2015