Hibiki Harmony came into markets replacing the 12 Year Old variety. Like a no-age statement whisky, it may be offered to a broader audience, but it also resides in turmoil with endless comparisons on the whisky it replaced. Removing age statements gives producers flexibility making whisky (how come 12 years be the minimum age from the bottle?), just about all creates a a feeling of distrust using the consumer acquainted with going to a number on the bottle.
Harmony is softer, gentler, and offers a quieter complexity when compared to the discontinued 12 yr old. There are whiskies that are had very best in a loud crowd, and whiskies you'll enjoy most using a select few of friends. Harmony is a singular experience. It's the whisky that carries a lot to say, but speaks quietly. Sure, it's not Hibiki 12, but it's quite possible it has more to provide.
What's within the whisky?
Hibiki could be the high-end blended brand from Beam Suntory. Hibiki 17 and 21 year old are beautiful whiskies, along with the 21 is considered the most best whiskies I've tasted. All Hibiki releases really are a combination of malted barley and grain whisky, with assorted types of oak used. This is a blend of malt from Yamazaki, Hakashu, and Chita whisky (mostly corn whisky). Regarding barrels used, there's American oak, some sherry oak, and Japanese Mizunara oak.
While blended whisky gets a bad reputation, and Hibiki makes an effort to never market itself as a result, this is an demonstration of why blended whiskies shouldn't be ignored.
Nose: Notes of an vanilla-citrus terrine. Wonderful caramel sweetness mixed with bright orange zest, joined with heavier toasted spice notes. A traditional oaky spice gets control the nose after a time, knowning that provides you with something unique. It's buttery, carries a touch of char, nice vanilla, a certain amount of candied ginger put into the amalgamation. A variety of vanilla citrus finishes off of the nose over time.
Palate: An attractive spread of oak tannins, vanilla sweetness, sharp pepper spice, as well as a buttery finish. Honey, cinnamon, and nutmeg come through nicely. It's sharper for the palate than you are on the nose. The tip is gentle, and heavier over a blend of buttery-sweet and cinnamon spice.
Conclusion: The nose does wonders, and the palate is a little more ordinary, but overall the very best Hibiki you'll be able to buy available on the market. It's priced well in a market the location where the demand and supply chart for Japanese whisky is out-of-this-world.
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