Hibiki Harmony came into markets replacing the 12 Yr old variety. Like a no-age statement whisky, it may be offered to a broader audience, it also lives in turmoil with endless comparisons for the whisky it replaced. Removing age statements gives producers flexibility making whisky (why must 12 years function as the minimum age in the bottle?), it also produces a feeling of distrust with all the consumer familiar with seeing a number for the bottle.
Harmony is softer, gentler, and offers a quieter complexity when compared to the discontinued 12 yr old. There are whiskies which can be had top in a loud crowd, and whiskies you'll enjoy most which has a small group of friends. Harmony is really a singular experience. It is the whisky that includes a lot to convey, but speaks quietly. Sure, it is not Hibiki 12, however it is fairly simple which it has more to offer.
What's from the whisky?
Hibiki will be the high-end blended brand from Beam Suntory. Hibiki 17 and 21 years old are beautiful whiskies, as well as the 21 is amongst the best whiskies I've tasted. All Hibiki releases are a mix of malted barley and grain whisky, with some other forms of oak used. This is the mixture of malt from Yamazaki, Hakashu, and Chita whisky (mostly corn whisky). In terms of barrels used, there's American oak, some sherry oak, and Japanese Mizunara oak.
While blended whisky gets a bad reputation, and Hibiki bakes an effort to not market itself as a result, it is deemed an illustration of why blended whiskies shouldn't be ignored.
Nose: Notes of your vanilla-citrus terrine. Wonderful caramel sweetness mixed with bright orange zest, joined with heavier toasted spice notes. An authentic oaky spice gets control of the nose after having a time, knowning that will give you something quite different. It's buttery, features a touch of char, nice vanilla, a certain amount of candied ginger combined with the mix. A mix of vanilla citrus finishes from the nose as time passes.
Palate: A good looking spread of oak tannins, vanilla sweetness, sharp pepper spice, and a buttery finish. Honey, cinnamon, and nutmeg come through nicely. It's sharper on the palate compared to the nose. The final is gentle, and heavier over a blend of buttery-sweet and cinnamon spice.
Conclusion: The nose does wonders, along with the palate is a little more ordinary, but overall the top Hibiki you'll be able to buy available on the market. It's priced well within a market in which the supply and demand chart for Japanese whisky is out-of-this-world.
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