Given 94 points or higher by multiple critics, this peated knockout is at least five to six times in value, so dont be surprised if you find people sitting on their private collection waiting for the right offer., Perhaps the most unique of the bunch, as it is possibly the hardest bottle to come by on this list! It is the only major distillery in Japan that specializes in grain whisky. The use of Japanese oak, the blending of different distillates from a single distillery, plus different yeasts and the effects of the Japanese climate makes it impossible, so don't try. In the US, Japanese Harmony comes in a 750ml bottle. Get it from my Etsy store for only $23 plus shipping. Hi Al nara! Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. So dig hard!, One of the best to ever come out of the island of Islay, this incredible distillery has been sorely missed! But Chivas Regal can also be found for half the price of Hibiki Harmony. The quality of Japanese whisky remained high. Suntory Japanese Whisky: Important Brands and Bottles Explained Stir until the glass is cold and some of the ice has melted. He is based in San Francisco, California. Get it from my Etsy store for only $23 plus shipping. . Think of Bowmores legendary No. The demand for it is out pacing the supply, which is contributing to it's availability. Hibiki 21 has survived the cull, and its likely Suntory has prioritized keeping it alive. 4.5 from 59 User Ratings. SRP: $250Street Price: $400-$600Year Introduced: 1994Production: Ongoing. How much? Mizuwari, or whisky and water, makes for an even lighter drink. 3 Reviews. Just like in stores, prices can be all over the place, so please shop around. Hibiki, which first hit shelves in 1989, was designed as a more palatable alternative to blended Scotch, meant to be sipped neat or over ice. In 2017, Suntory officially discontinued Hibiki 17. Every product is carefully selected by our editors. SRP: $1,600Street Price: $7,500+Year Introduced: 1984Production: Ongoing. I am an advertiser for some of these stores and may earn a commission on qualifying purchases. The last core product to discontinue was the Hibiki 12. Chivas 25 is rich with notes of peach, butterscotch, leather, and chocolate. But the flavor is subdued. This is likely to be the youngest component of the blend. Suntory's 17-year-old Hibiki whiskey has been discontinued. Check it out and follow me to find more educational content. Charles MacLean: The flavour profile and texture of Hibiki 17 is not unlike Loch Lomond Single Grain Scotch: Fruity top notes fresh apples and pears; citric lemons, oranges and pineapple give way to butterscotch and black pepper on a biscuit base. But they did not lower the price. The idea that you can find Scotch whiskies that are comparable stylistically to Japanese whiskies is not so far fetched. Hibiki is a blended whisky, whereas the Nikkas are grain whiskies. Hibiki Japanese Harmony Whisky Price & Reviews | Drizly Single malt Scotch must be bottled in Scotland. Welcome to Brand Breakdown, a series of comprehensive yet easy-to-digest guides to your favorite companies, with insights and information you wont find on the average About page. Glencairn is an excellent glass for tasting Hibiki whisky. Its also three- to five-times the price. This expression is the exact same base spirit as 12, just six years older. And a whole new audience became interested in Japanese whisky. So be patient and dont overpay. The Hibiki 17 and Hakushu 12 are just the latest aged whiskies to get the chop. But the industry didnt stay down for long. Recently I asked several Advisory Board members at The Council of Whiskey Masters, a group that comprises some of the most respected whisky authorities in the world, for their suggestions of Scotch whiskies that offered aroma and taste profiles comparable to some of the most coveted Japanese whiskies. Yamazaki 18 is more powerfully fruity and has a velvety texture. Hans Offringa: Similar to this Hakushu, to me Aberfeldy has a slightly perfumy note, a tad incense-like, as one can detect in many Japanese whiskies. I am looking for the Suntory Hibiki 21 years Dekanta.. Updated September 18: Beam-Suntory representatives have confirmed the Hibiki 17 expression sold as a special release on Dekanta is standard Hibiki 17 whisky. The palate is rich and creamy, with flavors of dried fruit, candied orange, cinnamon, a hint of clove. Consuming alcohol can be bad for your health. Next, add ice to the pint and shake hard. SRP: $250Street Price: $850-$1,100Year Introduced: 1989Production: Ongoing. It almost moves us to tears. If you can find a bottle today, expect to pay more than $800. But they temporarily discontinued Hakushu 12 in 2018 and have already brought it back. Demand is so high that bottles are scarce and prices start around $1400 US. The Port Charlotte 16, however, is probably more difficult to get than Yoichi. The 2019 Edition of Hibiki 17 is available for pre-order on Japanese whisky retailer Dekanta for a whopping $600, a $450 jump over the whisky's official $150 retail price. Its the only of the brands whiskies which include Yamazaki, Hakushu and Toki to feature a blend of spirits distilled and aged at each of its three whiskey producing outposts (Yamazaki Distillery, Hakushu Distillery, Chita Distillery). And while no rye has ever commanded $2,500 to $3,500 like this one, I can see this discontinued jewel continuing its meteoric rise., While I am a tremendous fan of the now-famed Suntory Yamazaki whiskies, its safe to say that I am an even bigger fan of its other distillery, Hakushu,Ganapathi says. Yamazaki is devoted to single malt production. Representatives for Beam-Suntory could not confirm whether the final offering of Hibiki 17 would be available in regular retail locations before publishing. Suntory designed Toki to do one thing extraordinarily well: mix in highballs. But the crazy price increases will probably level out slightly. And for most of us, Hibiki Japanese Harmony is the only Hibiki we can get. Neat is a great way to enjoy the subtle but complex flavors of Harmony. Both have their place and do different things. Hibiki Harmony is delicious and very smooth. Then add the Hibiki Harmony. In October of 2015, the price averaged $500-$600. But Toki is younger, less complex, and rougher-tasting. Chita grain whisky provides a smooth core, while Hakushu and Yamazaki add balance and layers. The Hibiki 21-Year-Old is by far the most globally renowned expression in the portfolio, having received the award for the "Worlds Best Blended Whisky" on five separate occasions, at the World Whiskies Awards. Your email address will not be published. The last time I bought Hibiki 12 (about eight years ago), it was $60. While some people may prefer sherry casks over bourbon casks, I think that this speaks volumes to the creativity going on here amongst whisky makers in todays world,Ganapathi says. The Hibiki () blended whisky series was released in 1989 in a 17 Year and 21 Year Aged forms. But it doesnt end there: The man works with several whisky companies and hosts educational tastings for the likes for Google and Facebook in Californiain addition to Vice in New York City. They got it wrong. And deals can be very hard to find. And I recommend Hakushu 12 on top. On the nose, it has the same dried fruit sweetness, along with more pronounced coffee and dark chocolate notes. Heres everything you need to know. And bloomy rind cheeses like camembert can also be excellent. Check it out and follow me to find more educational content. Oh, no! Foods like barbeque, grilled steak, and lamb can be a great combo with Hibiki. Another value win for the regular Hibiki Harmony. Please drink responsibly. Level-up your sushi bar game! Its unavailable in U.S. stores, though you could buy this online from a number of sites, but prices are far exaggerated from Kakubins status as a convenience store whisky in its home country. They are similar in having a creamy texture. For Westerners, this lends it a slightly more familiar flavor at least initially. And if youre a whisky generalist, there are many other excellent whiskies available that are much more affordable than Hibiki Harmony. Demand for Japanese whisky was poor. Now its close to the same price as Hibiki 21. Toki is made for cocktails and isnt designed to compete with Hibiki Harmony. The palate is where Hibiki Japanese Harmony wins over most drinkers. My guess is Hibiki 21 will continue to be in high demand. In the glass, Hibiki 21 is dark, fruity, and a bit oily. But its not rich or powerful either. Hibiki 12 years Review - The Whiskey Jug Japan. But the Hibiki 17 sees a lot more mizunara and sherry cask aging. Expect to pay upward of $500 if you find it outside Taiwan and Japan. The Yamazaki, Single Malt Japanese Whisky, 12 YO. Learn more about Suntory whisky with this full-length guide. So I just wanted to make whisky look sexy. But if you dont mind using a relatively hard-to-get whisky for your drink, its an awesome choice. Effectively the second Japanese whisky ever made, its light body and slightly spicy profile were built to mix into a highball and cut through the carbonation just enough. Be sure to shop around! Overall, it has a much oakier profile but is otherwise similar. Would you mix it with Coke?#hibikiwhisky #japanesewhisky #bartenderlife #barhumor #japanesewhiskey. The value is quickly rising on old versus new, not just at this distillery but in general throughout the entire industry, so look to pay upwards of $2,000 to find this., This was a case of a mixture of rarity, nostalgia, and the greatest setting to drink such an incredible whisky, which makes it my all-time favorite,Ganapathi says. Dalwhinnie doesnt have any Japanese mizunara oak, however. The Hibiki includes malt from Yamazaki, but it has more depth and balance. For 14 years, including two years in Ireland, Martin was one of the original Diageo Sr. Masters of Whisky. Prices at these stores are usually ok. (Check out his account and I have no doubt that youd agree with my assessment.) And the grain whisky is made at Chita. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Its part review with tasting notes, similar whiskies, and product info. Your email address will not be published. To me, it's a reasonable question to ask. Absolute victory for you if you owned this before all the commotion. The beloved Nikka whisky, distilled at the Yoichi distillery in Hokkaido and brainchild of sorts of Masataka Taketsuru, the "Father of Japanese Whisky," is being discontinued. But Hibiki 17 has way more depth. a Vancouver-based whisky specialist who has turned his Instagram account, Single Malt Daily, into one of the most influential spirits-based platforms. This 21-year bottling spends a lot of time in primo Japanese Mizunara casks. Hans Offringa is the author of more than 20 books about whisky, among which the bestseller A Field Guide to Whisky, and has been contributing editor of Whisky Magazine and American Whiskey for a number of years. According to Suntory's PR team, an extra $80 million will be invested this year to expand the Hakushu aging facilities. Hibiki - Master of Malt If a betting man were to put money on the next discontinuation domino to fall, itd be on Hibiki 21. The liquid itself exhibits an immediate woody note on the nose, with the brighter, more acidic notes relegated to a supporting role. Some are rich and powerful others are light, aromatic, and clean. The latter whisky isnt necessarily better. The Complete Buying Guide to Buffalo Trace Whiskey, How to Drink Scotch, According to a World-Famous Whiskey Expert, Japanese Whisky Is Overpriced, Over-Hyped and More Exciting Than Ever, The Complete Buying Guide to Panerai Watches, The Complete Buying Guide to Patek Philippe, 11 Awesome Bicycle Brands You Should Know, The Complete Buying Guide to Tudor Watches, The Complete Guide to Lodge Cast-Iron Skillets, The Complete Sonos Buying Guide (Updated for 2023), Vintage Levi's Jeans: Everything You Need to Know, The Complete Guide to Suntory Japanese Whisky: Important Brands and Bottles Explained. Prices have increased from around $1000 to $1400 in only a few years. On the nose, there is a light smoke, accompanied by candied orange peel, vanilla and cinnamon. The bulk of Hibiki comes from the Chita Distillery () in Aichi. The malt whisky components come from the Yamazaki and Hakushu distilleries. (1110176) - The Dream of a Butterfly. Expect to pay the equivalent of $1100-$1300 for a 700ml bottle. Critic tasting note: "Deep layers of vanilla and mizunara oak with sugar sprinkled pastries, incense sticks, oiled wood, tatami, dried apricot, golden sultana, and faint smoky spiciness. Your email address will not be published. More on that below. Consuming alcohol can be bad for your health. He specializes in whiskies from non-traditional regions, and he holds his own New World' whisky awards to promote them. Its fresh herbal notes become dried herbal notes and the citrus is replaced with a big, ripe sweetness. Would you mix it with Coke?#hibikiwhisky #japanesewhisky #bartenderlife #barhumor #japanesewhiskey. Unavailable in the U.S., Yamazaki Distillers Reserve is essentially Yamazaki Light. Use the table of contents below to jump to a specific section. Yamazaki 12-Year-Old Japanese whisky Suntory, the owner of Yamazaki and a number of other leading Japanese whiskies, has discontinued its Hibiki 17-Year-Old (which would have devastated Bill Murray's character in Lost in Translation) and the Hakushu 12-Year-Old Single Malt. Its even won the Worlds Best Blended Whisky at the World Whiskies Awards a handful of times. Absolutely Hibiki Japanese Harmony whisky is held in high esteem in the world of whisky. A 1.5-ounce pour for $150 is a good deal. Suntorys Hakushu distillery is hidden under a mountain in central Japans Yamanashi Prefecture. LAGAVULIN 1991 200TH ANNIVERSARY 25 YEAR OLD SINGLE CASK, A unique affair! About Suntory Group Suntory is home to award-winning Japanese whiskies Yamazaki, Hibiki and Hakushu as well as iconic American spirits Jim Beam and Maker's Mark. I've got a problem. Its also mellow and smooth. The famous green monster (the label, that is). There are many Japanese whiskies which are 100% from the country. He lives in Edinburgh. At around $200to$300 a bottle, this is well worth adding to your collection., A limited edition whisky that was truly exquisite. Your email address will not be published. And many enthusiasts are right to ask: is Hibiki 21 discontinued too? Its just hard to stack up vs. the old 12 year. At least, according to Reddit. It started out as an $80 bottle in 2003, then I saw this bottle retailing for $1000 in 2016. Hibiki is a luxury blended whisky brand. SRP: $85Street Price: $125-$200Year Introduced: 1994Production: Discontinued. Ill cover that later. The coastal location imparts a slight saline note to the mature whisky, especially to older expressions. Eventually all these whiskies will be available again. SRP: $35Street Price: $35-$50Year Introduced: 2016Production: Ongoing. But theres a point where age doesnt necessarily improve a whiskys flavor. Blend: column-distilled grain and various pot-distilled malts, Barrel: diverse, with various sizes of American white oak casks, Mizunara, ex-Sherry cask. He has written 16 books, the majority about whisky. Steve Beal: Yoichi fans might easily enjoy several options. There are significant differences in the production and maturation protocols between Japanese and Scotch whisky. Totally agree about Fuji. Check out my thorough breakdown of the Japanese whisky highball to learn more about this iconic Japanese cocktail. And obviously, it is comprised of much older whisky stocks. I've got a problem. The first of Suntorys whisky to get the axe Hibiki 12 was discontinued in 2015, so despite its status as the youngest of the lines age-statement collection, its no easier to track down than its older siblings. Earlier this week, Nikka told its Japanese suppliers that it will be suspending the sales of three more of its age-statement malt whiskies in March. The core range previously included the Hibiki 12 Year-Old, which was sadly discontinued in 2015, before the no-age Hibiki Harmony was introduced. Hibiki 17 is among the most-awarded Japnaese whiskies ever. 1 in Japanese) distillery, this bottle delivers beyond the incredibly lofty expectations of typical Japanese whisky. And now it is fetching as much as $3,100 two years later! Just a few weeks prior, I wrote on the addition of the premium blend on the Japan Airlines in-flight menu, but as usual, things change quicker than expected in an industry based around time and aging. The Japanese whisky community is pretty opinionated. This means that Harmony is younger overall. On the retail side, Hibiki 21 will likely cost US $1300 minimum for a 750ml bottle. Harmony carries no age statement. But it wasnt until the groundbreaking creation of the Yamazaki Distillery () that Suntory really took off. But then, the account took on a life of its own and I was getting 500 to 600 followers a day. Because there wasnt enough stock to meet demand. And the answer is no. And you can sometimes find it for a reasonable price. Vintages include: 1959, 1964, 1964 Second Release, 1967, 1969, 1972, 1973, 1980, 1983, and the 30 Year Old American Oak Finish. My middle name is Ichiroso to see a formerly little known brand, Ichiros Malt, out there and breaking records, its just so cool!. I've done side by sides with Hibiki 12, that's the closest match I've found of the whiskies I can buy which aren't extremely rare or expensive, without getting into home blending experiments. The blend must, after all, contain vintages aged 17 years or more. Its the whisky Bill Murray drank in Lost in Translation that got the retail crowd excited about Japanese whisky. What follows are the rich, standard markers for Japanese whisky: delicate fruit, light spice and a long, sherry-driven finish. The 12 YO would be a good substitute. And the herbal, crisp Hakushu 12 adds a ton of complexity from only a small dose. Where is the Hibiki Distillery? This is a BETA experience. And thats because it makes whisky a better complement to a meal. 70cl, 43%. This boozy and old-school cocktail is simply sugar, bitters, and whisky. The bottle itself is so stunning and features a print by famed artist Warren Khong on it., Better than its bigger brother, the 21, and discontinued. Until then, Scotland has some outstanding whiskies that you can substitute. Its composed of the stuff that goes into the more mature expressions, but it lacks the depth brought on by said maturation. Hibiki is a blended whisky featuring malt and grain components. Hakushu 12 was discontinued May of 2018, but it can still be found with a little digging. After speaking to a member of the Suntory Japan PR team over the weekend, its been confirmed that yet another bottle from the aged Hibiki range will be removed from the lineup. If I can get them at my local Total Wine for $95 a pop, to me it is well worth it. The second would be a Manhattan with Carpano Antica Formula. Instead of sherry on the back-end, its the first thing you taste. Its floral, spicy, and smooth. Check https://www.wine-searcher.com/find/hibiki+twenty+one+old+blend+whisky+japan/0/usa. Suntory Time: Hibiki Whisky Discontinued As Aged Japanese - Forbes The Times named him Scotlands leading whisky expert in 2010. Dave Broom: You won't find a Scotch which exactly replicates Yamazaki 18 and before you ask, you won't find a Japanese one either! Sadly, this expression was discontinued by Suntory back in More info. Steve is a 2015 inductee to the Whisky Magazine Hall of Fame. Casks of whisky at a storehouse of Suntory Liquors' Hakushu distillery in Hokuto City, Yamanashi [+] prefecture. Need I say more? The suggested retail price of Hibiki 21 (700ml) in Japan is 32,000 yen. Hibiki operates out of 3 distilleries in Japan: In Yamazaki, Hakaushu, and Chita, Japan. Its designed for very peaty Scotch whiskies. A little water or ice helps temper the whisky to make it a better pairing. Supposedly, the mizunara-aged malt whisky components are the oldest in the Hibiki Japanese Harmony blend. Made exclusively for the esteemed Peninsula Hotel in Tokyo, this is perhaps the most underrated whisky on this list. But dont count on Hibiki 21 being discontinued.
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