Review #34 Hibiki Japanese Harmony: Japanese

Score: 8.4 / 10

Distillery: Chita, Yamazaki and Hakushu

Type: Blended Whisky

A collectible decanter in itself, comes the Hibiki Harmony. This speaks perfectly to what Japanese whisky is just by the label on the bottle. Distilled the same way as Scotch whiskeys, the Japanese tend to focus on balance. Not too much of this, or that, but everything subtly blended together and complimenting.

I made the mistake in having the 21yr version of this before the Harmony and well.... they don't compare. However, I always keep this one around at my house for me and any guests, as I enjoy it. I think it's pretty unique and love the taste profile here. "Suntory Time"is over for a little bit with the 17yr being discontinued, but honestly I'll take whatever Suntory wants to send over to the US, because I think it's all truly incredible.

Turning Japanese? I really think so! I literally can't wait for our whisky podcast Po It Up's Suntory episode. Look for it coming soon, as we have a lot of different expressions from Suntory! Spoiler... they are all great, so you are going to want to tune in.

Whisky Review:

Nose: Honey, sherry, granulated sugar, lemon rind, green apple

Palate: Marshmallow, orange, honey, ethanol, spicy oak

Finish: Short but satisfying. A harmonious combination of these notes, orange, lemon, marshmallow, brown sugar

Score: 8.4

Scale:

S+ Sensational - The Pinnacle (9.5+)

A - AXEceptional (astounding) (9-9.5)

B - bravo (step aBove average) (8-8.9)

C - competent (7-7.9)

D - disappointing (6-6.9)

F - flush it down the toilet (fail) (5.9 below)

Notes: Availability? Uncommon. Quickly going up in price and becoming harder to find. However, Japan was with holding a lot of whiskies because of the 2020 Olympics. With this now officially postponed, and after Suntory partnered with Jim Beam, this should be coming our way in vast amounts soon.