Hibiki Harmony got into markets replacing the 12 Years old variety. As a no-age statement whisky, it may be offered to a broader audience, but it also resides in turmoil with endless comparisons towards the whisky it replaced. Removing age statements gives producers flexibility making whisky (why must 12 years function as the minimum age from the bottle?), but it also creates a sense of distrust using the consumer acquainted with going to a number about the bottle.
Harmony is softer, gentler, while offering a quieter complexity in comparison to the discontinued 12 yr old. You will find whiskies which can be had finest in a loud crowd, and whiskies you'll relish most having a select few of friends. Harmony can be a singular experience. It's the whisky that carries a lot to express, but speaks quietly. Sure, it isn't really Hibiki 12, but it is quite possible it has more to make available.
What's in 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 certainly are a mix of malted barley and grain whisky, with assorted forms 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 receives a bad reputation, and Hibiki bakes an effort not to market itself consequently, it is deemed an illustration of why blended whiskies mustn't be ignored.
Nose: Notes of a vanilla-citrus terrine. Wonderful caramel sweetness combined with bright orange zest, combined with heavier toasted spice notes. A geniune oaky spice gets control of the nose after having a time, understanding that provides you with something a bit different. It's buttery, has a touch of char, nice vanilla, a bit of candied ginger added to a combination. A mix of vanilla citrus finishes off the nose after a while.
Palate: A good looking 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 around the palate than you are on the nose. The tip is gentle, and heavier with a blend of buttery-sweet and cinnamon spice.
Conclusion: The nose does wonders, and the palate is a touch more ordinary, but overall the top Hibiki you are able to buy available on the market. It's priced well inside a market the place that the supply and demand chart for Japanese whisky is out-of-this-world.
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