Suntory Whisky have released Hibiki Japanese Harmony, a no age statement whisky and the latest member of the Hibiki family.
Hibiki (which means harmony) was created in 1989 to commemorate Suntory’s 90th anniversary as a tribute to the philosophy “to live in harmony with people and nature”. Hibiki Harmony joins the Hibiki family which comes in 4 aged expressions: Hibiki 12 year old real, the 17 year old, the 21 year old, and the rare 30 year old.
Hibiki Harmony is a blend of more than 12 malt and grain whiskies with five key styles of whisky, each contributing to the overall flavour profile.
Chita Grain Whisky provides a pure and clean taste with grain aromas. American White Oak Cask Malt Whisky contributes to the malty sweetness with fresh fruit and floral aromas. The Sherry Cask Malt Whisky is rich in fruit, raisins, sweetness, dark chocolate and tannins. Mizunara Cask Whisky (Japanese oak) adds complexity with a sweet and distinctive wood aroma, hints of spice and cinnamon with vanilla, while the Smoky Malt Whisky offers strong and dry smoke.
A part deconstructed tasting by Mike Miyamoto of Suntory Whisky consisted of three of the major components (Chita Grain, Sherry and Mizunara) before sampling the finished whisky. The sherry and mizunara whiskies, both at 50% ABV were good enough to warrant their own release with minor refinements.
Mike Miyamoto explained that in the art of the blend, Hibiki uses the American White Oak Cask Malt Whisky as the base of Hibiki with Sherry and Mizunara malts as dressing, the Smoky Malt as “hidden player” with the Chita Grain Whisky completing the harmony of flavours.
Hibiki Japanese Harmony Tasting Notes
Hibiki Japanese Harmony is a No Age Statement whisky that is bottled at 43% ABV.
Pale straw to amber in colour, it has floral aromas with honey, lychee and woody notes. The palate starts fruity with honey sweetness, melon and pears then progresses onto white chocolate and rosemary. The finish is medium in length and lingers with sweet notes of chocolate with traces of orange peel and subtle oak.
Overall, Hibiki Japanese Harmony is delicate and bright, and pleasant to sip either neat, on the rocks, with an ice sphere, or in a highball. The flavour profile is not as intense as Hibiki 12 yo and it lends itself well to mixability in cocktails.
Hibiki Japanese Harmony pays tribute to the original Hibiki blend and comes in the classic 24-faceted glass bottle symbolising the 24 seasons of the old Japanese lunar calendar.
This article was originally published on June 23, 2015 on our sister website Gourmantic.
