This Suntory Hibiki Review review goes over tasting notes and personal impressions of this Japanese spirit.
Quick Taste Notes:
- Rose
- White Chocolate
- Orange
- Oak
- Honey
Quick Facts:
- Category: Japanese Whisky
- Country: Japan
- Distillery: Suntory
- Age: N/A
- Style: Blended Japanese Whisky
- Alcohol: 43%
Hibiki Whiskey History
A distillery located in Japan that is a well-known industry staple and the biggest distillery in this island country. Founded in 1899 Suntory tried producing a single-malt whiskey in 1923,a move shunned by their counterparts in Scotland. Suntory paid it no mind and mastered the producing of spirits using the Mizunara Oak,a revolutionary move for the time. In 1987, Master Blender Keizo Saji decided to develop a blended whisky to reflect the sophistication of Suntory’s techniques. Chief Blender, Koichi Inatomi, sampled and tasted aged malt whiskies from one million casks at Suntory. Saji and Inatomi then found the flavor by blending thirty distinctive malt and mellow grain whiskies. Hibiki is a truly harmonious blend rich in Japanese nature and craftsmanship.
How does Hibiki taste?
Hibiki is a very light and friendly spirit that you can share with a novice, it is pleasant but complex spirit that needs to be on your shelf. On the nose you notice rose, lychee and rosemary. Palate gives you honey, orange peel and white chocolate. Finish gives you a long taste of Mizunara Oak. Hibiki is a harmonious blend of innumerous malt and grain whiskies which are meticulously blended to create a full orchestra of flavors and aromas. Hibiki is probably the best-looking bottle made on the market; the thing looks like a crystal decanter. I remember buying this bottle for the first time during early 2020.My good friend recommended Hibiki to me in 2019, we shared a glass at a bar and we were surprised how expensive it was ,he paid $45 per glass. Maybe it was the place we were at or maybe the rarity of this spirit. This is a spirit you can’t just find at any bar or even at any store. Hibiki is a spirit for one of those upscale bars, restaurants or well stocked stores like Total Wines in New York. I associate Hibiki with smoothness and pleasantness, a spirit enjoyed in summer months in a garden or a backyard of a nice restaurant. The beautiful taste and the beautiful Hibiki bottle that looks like a decanter is something I always come back to with a smile. This is one of those bottles I save for special occasions.
Hibiki Price Range:
Hibiki usually cost $80-$100.
Verdict
92/100