550. Absolutely Hibiki Japanese Harmony whisky is held in high esteem in the world of whisky. Rest assured we are busy stocking up. My amazingly kind friend Franois at the Golden Promise Whisky Bar in Paris made this happen, as it is indeed my birth year bottle! Would you mix it with Coke?#hibikiwhisky #japanesewhisky #bartenderlife #barhumor #japanesewhiskey. That doesnt look far-fetched with world markets retracting and interest rates on the rise in 2022. But Chivas Regal can also be found for half the price of Hibiki Harmony. Hibiki 21 Year Old Blended Whisky. But first, lets look at how Hibiki 21 is made. Hibiki Whisky Discontinued As Supplies Run Dry From September 2018, insufficient maturation time will mean that the Hibiki 17 will soon be removed from the core range as supplies diminish. Level-up your sushi bar game! Glencairn is an excellent glass for tasting Hibiki whisky. Its even won the Worlds Best Blended Whisky at the World Whiskies Awards a handful of times. It's unclear whether the whisky in the 2019 edition is any different than the standard Hibiki 17, but it does come with updated, more premium packaging. And with the continued demand for Japanese whisky, Harmony has become more expensive. Hibiki Japanese Harmony is a NAS whisky. The whisky is matured in a combination of ex-bourbon, sherry and Mizunara casks. But I have a couple of recommendations. But make sure to factor in the cost of shipping. The 18-year-old channels the 12-year-old bottles freshness, and goes deeper. Two Japanese Whiskies Are Being Discontinued Due to a Shortage. Again, this was discontinued and replaced by an older bottling: the 12 Year Old. The Hibiki () blended whisky series was released in 1989 in a 17 Year and 21 Year Aged forms. It's the benchmark Hibiki an award-getting bottle that shows off the power of Japanese whisky making technique and, more specifically, the Mizunara oak tree. Such a choral piece. Im an affiliate advertiser for some of these companies and may earn a commission on qualifying purchases. The Hibiki goes in last. The short answer is no, Hibiki 21 is not discontinued. Representatives for Beam-Suntory could not confirm whether the final offering of Hibiki 17 would be available in regular retail locations before publishing. The maturation features a larger proportion of Spanish and Japanese oak. But From the Barrel is darker, stronger, and maltier. And its easily among the worlds most famous blended whiskies. By volume, Chita grain whisky is the largest component of the blend. Though aged stock is lessening, the major Japanesewhisky maker is optimistic about the categorys growth in the future, and will not make the mistake of running out of stock again. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. If you are going to spend $95 for a Hibiki Harmony, try Fuji single grain, it is very good. And deals can be very hard to find. The Hibiki 17-Year-Old, a famed Japanese whisky by Suntorythat was featured in the 2003 movie Lost In Translation, will be officially discontinued. Where is the Hibiki Distillery? Some of the absolute very best whiskies ever put out by this fantastic Speyside distillery. The Times named him Scotlands leading whisky expert in 2010. Its many-layered whiskies serve as an introductory course to Japanese whisky light-bodied, clean, rich in fruit and floral quality with varying degrees of spice. Dominic Roskrow: How about Glenlivet 15YO French Oak Reserve: strong fruity and oaky notes. Would you mix it with Coke?#hibikiwhisky #japanesewhisky #bartenderlife #barhumor #japanesewhiskey. And what caused this mess? They are similar in having a creamy texture. 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. According to Makiyo Masa, the founder and Director of Japanese online wine and spirits retailer Dekanta: Demand for Japanese whisky has hugely outstripped supply in recent years, especially when it comes to aged expressions, limited edition bottles and anything from the closed distilleries of Karuizawa and Hanyu.. Marty Duffy: The Glendullan 18YO might fit the bill to fill the gap of the departure of the Hibiki 17YO. And the grain whisky is made at Chita. SRP: $250Street Price: $500-$1,000Year Introduced: 1984Production: Discontinued. Suntory has done a good job meeting the high demand for its classic single malts. An extremely highly-revered bottle from Nikkas first (Ichi means no. Dont expect to find any floating around in the open though, as only 232 bottles were produced. 4.5 from 59 User Ratings. Second, add lots of ice to the cold glass. I enjoy the majority of what Laphroaig puts out. He is a Master of the Quaich and was inducted into the Whisky Hall of Fame in 2017. And the mizunara provides notes of sandalwood, aloe, and incense. Or Mortlach 16-year-old, meatier but with great complexity and also sherry matured. The vast bulk of it will be, as it has been since the 1960s, for low-end domestic blends. Yoichi is produced at the Nikka Distillery in Yoichi on Japans northernmost island of Hokkaido. One of the best sherry bottles to have ever come out of this highland distillery in a year that saw them produce a ton of gems., One of the first Japanese malts to ever grace the market with its presence. Some are rich and powerful others are light, aromatic, and clean. Its also pretty spicy and slightly sweet. Thats not to say Harmony is a bad whisky. But prices range from reasonable to mega-gouge. Cant find your favorite Japanese whisky? At around $1,200 (if you can find it) this is probably one of the best deals!, ICHIROS MALT HANYU JOKER CARD (REGULAR AND MONOCHROMATIC), The last in the collection of 54 playing cards from the now defunct and extremely famous Hanyu Distillery, located in the town of the same name. As an Amazon Associate, I earn commissions on qualifying purchases. Hibiki 12 was discontinued in 2015, as were many aged Yoichis and Miyagikyos, among other releases. Creme brulee, chocolate cake, and apple pie are just a few worth trying. Good luck! I cant believe how quickly those days have disappeared,Ganapathi says. Glad their whiskies are finally available in the US. Consuming alcohol can be bad for your health. Whisky nuts will tell you that this was the best time for the Islay distillery in terms of production value and its hard to disagree. But if youre a fan of The Balvenie, its well worth it to have something so rare!, Not even five years ago could you still purchase this malt for around $100. The grain whisky uses corn and is distilled in a light, medium or heavy style . It depends on where you live. The risk of investing in this prestigious Japanese whisky is that Suntory will eventually meet the demand. Dave resides on the south coast of England. Other notes include orange oil, white raisin, genmaicha, and lavender. Yamazaki adds deeper fruit, a silky texture, spice, and some backbone. Harmony on the rocks is a popular way to enjoy this whisky. The smoke is heather/potpourri like rather than medicinal. For the moment, let's raise a glass to the timeless Hibiki expression. A few years ago, the wholesale price was just under $200. Online retailers are also the best option if you want to find a bottle fast. Your email address will not be published. With each award both the price and demand for the Hibiki 21 has risen, making the 17 the last of the current Hibiki aged range that could be bought at a price that wouldn't break the bank. Compared to other categories of whisky, Japanese whiskies have shown the most price appreciation over the last decade. Rumored to contain sherried whiskies from The Yamazaki, The Hakushu, and The Chita distilleries that are at least 25 years or older, this may be one of the very best whiskies ever put out by Suntory. Kai-Komagatake. The good news is Suntory has ramped up production. Hibiki is a blend of single malt pot still whisky, both peated and unpeated, and column still produced grain whisky. Im officially 34 now and I would say the obsession started at 29, so Im definitely a late bloomer compared to how early others are starting out these days. Japan does hold a close place in my heart because of my Japanese roots and cultural background. Learn how your comment data is processed. I write about wines and spirits and the hidden corners of the world, Tokyo 2012 (Photo by Jeremy Sutton-Hibbert/Getty Images), The Worlds Best Gins, According To The 2023 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, The Worlds Best Blended WhiskeyAccording To The 2023 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, Whisky Of The Week: Royal Ranthambores Indian Blend, The Worlds Best Vodkas, According To The 2023 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, 7 New Tequilas For A Cinco De Mayo Celebration, One Of The Most Valuable Whisky Collections Is Now Up For Auction, Winery Pays Top Dollar To Harvest Grapes, Making One Of The Greatest Wines In The World. The expression, called Suntory Shirofuda, tasted too much like Scotch too peaty, too powerful. Between 1990 and 2000, Japanese whisky distilleries were getting wrecked. SRP: $65Street Price: $65-$100Year Introduced: 2015Production: Ongoing. It is the only major distillery in Japan that specializes in grain whisky. Companies like Suntory, Nikka and others were forced to discontinue many of the prized expressions none more grieved by the whiskey-drinking community than Hibiki 17-Year-Old, Suntorys world-beating blended whisky. The retail price is whatever someone is willing to pay. Pursuant to SWA rules, only blended Scotch can be exported in bulk. Hibiki Harmony is lighter, more floral, and exotic. Steve is a 2015 inductee to the Whisky Magazine Hall of Fame. 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. Made famous by acclaimed whisky writer Michael Jackson, the 12 Year Old is by far the most sought after of the 26 bottles in the Flora and Fauna series. The base malt is not terribly different in flavor and the subtle port cask finish in the DE version of Cragganmore gives it flavors which are in the same . Oh, no! Hibiki Harmony wins the value category. Hibiki 21 might be the most famous Japanese whisky. Dont forget the almonds or quince either. Toki is primarily made up of Hakushu malted whiskies and a heavy helping of Chita grain whisky (Chita can be purchased as its own expression in Japan), giving it a springy, velvety nose and mouthfeel with enough spice to cut through soda and ice dilution. In October of 2015, the price averaged $500-$600. Suntory and Nikka received numerous international whisky awards. Learn how your comment data is processed. We also fascinate the taste buds in Japan and the Asian market with our Premium Malt's beer. For most of us, the best way to try it is at Yamazakis tasting room in Osaka. Most of this comes from Hakushu, with Yamazaki playing a supporting role. This is expected to change now that Suntory has decided to stop producing the expression, amidst shortages of aged stock. Torii realized the Japanese palate didnt want ultra-smokey peat bombs; it wanted finesse. A popular 12 Year was released later, followed more recently by Hibiki Harmony. I am drawn to a Highland Park 12-Year-Old,a Caol Ila 18-Year-Old or,for the adventurous, the Caol Ila Distillers Edition. Get it from my Etsy store for only $23 plus shipping. Your email address will not be published. The question is, will the price of Hibiki 21 continue to see robust growth? The smooth flavor and amber-tinged color suggest older stocks are in the blend. This post breaks down why this Suntory whisky is special. This bottle is what got me into Japanese whisky. It almost moves us to tears. So its nice to see this bottle appreciated for what it truly isa work of art. Hibiki Harmony has a color between copper and amber. So much so that Suntory doesnt bother with an MSRP (in the US). Suntory - Hibiki Blender's Choice I reported the release of the Hibiki Blender's Choice by Suntory several months ago, before its launch in Japan on September 4 th. Hibiki whiskies blends whiskies from three Suntory distilleries: Yamazaki, Hakushu, and Chita. 3 Reviews. Scanning Wine-Searcher, a few shops are charging $150. Sherry casks are a minor component of the Japanese Harmony blend. As the NAS whiskymovement grows, producers can experiment and bring togetheryounger vintages and flavors. Obviously, retailers are profiting heavily when they sell this whisky. (1110176) The Dream of a Butterfly, https://www.wine-searcher.com/find/hibiki+twenty+one+old+blend+whisky+japan/0/usa, Oh, no! The supply of Hibiki 21 is very limited. Is Hibiki 12-Year discontinued? Which makes sense, of course Shinjiro Toriis company, founded in 1923, is Japans first and most popular whisky maker. Nikka From the Barrel is the Lex Luthor to Harmonys Super Man. These all share some of the aroma and flavor components of Yoichi, which make it extremely attractive. Both Harmony and the Hibiki 17 blend Yamazaki, Hakushu, and Chita whiskies. Suntory pulled the plug on the 12 years aged Hibiki in 2015 and released Japanese Harmony in its place. Chivas Regal Mizunara, on paper, is a similar whisky to Hibiki Harmony. We hope you enjoy the new release, Harmony. Learn how your comment data is processed. And the Japanese oak is famed for needing many years before it will yield smooth, complex whisky. More on that below. Made almost entirely of whisky that was aged in the golden era of the distillery: the 1960s. Suntory refers to these as Heavy Type, Medium Type, and Light Type. This is also why Hibiki 12 and 17 got 86d. Hibiki operates out of 3 distilleries in Japan: In Yamazaki, Hakaushu, and Chita, Japan. Prices for top-ranked Japanese whiskies, like the Yamazaki 12, have increased 10-fold over the last 20 years. The Hibiki includes malt from Yamazaki, but it has more depth and balance. The demand for Hibiki 12 made it go extinct. Malt's Pilsner Beer Suntory The Premium Malt's . Then add the whisky, lemon juice, and honey syrup. This was a big blow to long-time Japanese whisky enthusiasts. In a decade or so, there will be enough Hibiki 21 to supply everyones whisky wall. The latter is especially useful if the bottle is stored in a warmer spot (like the top shelf of a bar). Founded in 1899 by Shinjiro Torii, Suntory () started out as a wine shop, but soon turned into a wine producer when they released Akadama . The finish is long, with a hint of smoke and a briny note. But they did not lower the price. Now its close to the same price as Hibiki 21. This makes it easier to find Hibiki Harmony. Japanese Harmony leans heavily on its springiness its heavily floral and citrusy on the nose and palate but it lacks some barrel flavors like vanilla, maple and wood spice until the finish. Honey-dew melon, floral nose and rich viscous body makes for a relaxing dram in the backyard on an early summer evening. Because there wasnt enough stock to meet demand. According to Suntory's PR team, an extra $80 million will be invested this year to expand the Hakushu aging facilities. Below are some recommended online retailers that offer delivery. However, Hibiki 12 is also significantly more expensive than Harmony. But the supply of Japanese whisky was limited. So be patient and dont overpay. Demand for Japanese whisky was poor. Simply put, everything that master distiller Matt Hoffman touches turns to liquid gold. It started back in the 1990s. 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. Express an orange twist over the drink, and use it as a garnish with a cherry. Whiskies from 12-20 years are likely in small amounts. 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. 1 vault. Hibiki 21 is one of the worlds most sought-after blended whiskies. So its ideal for highlighting a smooth and light blended whisky. Pour it over ice for best results. For example, limited-edition offerings from Suntory tend to appreciate rapidly. I write about travel and food. And neither is better than the other. And now it is fetching as much as $3,100 two years later! However, after only being able to produce 2,000 liters per batch, it was deemed that it could not meet the global demand,Ganapathi explains. He specializes in whiskies from non-traditional regions, and he holds his own New World' whisky awards to promote them. But theres a point where age doesnt necessarily improve a whiskys flavor. LAGAVULIN 1991 200TH ANNIVERSARY 25 YEAR OLD SINGLE CASK, A unique affair! And in 2018, Hibiki 17 and Hakushu 12 became the next marquee whiskies to get 86d. Check https://www.wine-searcher.com/find/hibiki+twenty+one+old+blend+whisky+japan/0/usa. But it isnt powerful or rich. But it would only have a barspoon worth of Drambuie. Why? So they made what has since become the most popular whisky Japan: Suntory Kakubin. 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. There are layers of citrus and spice notes, plus sandalwood, stone fruit, raisin, almond, honey, ginger, aloe, toffee, and caramel. A 1.5-ounce pour for $150 is a good deal. In 2017, Suntory officially discontinued Hibiki 17. There are many Japanese whiskies which are 100% from the country. And overall, whisky has faired well as an investment. This is roughly $246. The malt whisky components come from the Yamazaki and Hakushu distilleries. This whisky is produced by Suntory in the Hakushu distillery, nicknamed the mountain forest distillery, in the foothills of Mt. Suntory allocates a lot of its supply to restaurants and bars. Single malt Scotch must be bottled in Scotland. Japanese Harmony is complex and balanced. It started out as an $80 bottle in 2003, then I saw this bottle retailing for $1000 in 2016. The mixture is finished with trace amounts of Yamazaki aged in American oak and Spanish sherry casks. I've got a problem. Its also mellow and smooth. Stills have been added to both the Yamazaki and Hakushu sites and the companys Ohmi Aging Cellar has undergone a large expansion. And like Johnny Blue, it has a different profile than Hibiki 21. A little water or ice helps temper the whisky to make it a better pairing. They got it wrong. The coastal location imparts a slight saline note to the mature whisky, especially to older expressions. Now, instead of looking locally, youre searching for retailers nationally. This contrasts with the Yamazaki () malt portion. A 21-year-aged whisky takes time to make, of course. Beyond that, he also serves as a spirits consultant to restaurantshelping them determine which top-shelf bottles to acquire and serve to discerning guests. Today, hes at the top of his game with his incredibly influential spirits-based account. The famous green monster (the label, that is). Finally, pour the soda or sparkling water carefully down the side of the glass using a bar spoon. 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. Suntory often refers to these as Heavy Type, Medium Type, and Light Type. On the nose, there is a light smoke, accompanied by candied orange peel, vanilla and cinnamon. The finish has very little heat, as Harmony is only 43% ABV. Blue Label is peatier and isnt influenced by mizunara oak. Hibiki whisky was launched in 1989, in order to commemorate Suntory's 90th anniversary. Even if they are not a perfect match, they will certainly be easier to find and considerably cheaper. This means that Harmony is younger overall. And obviously, it is comprised of much older whisky stocks. But after you start to understand the history of each distillery and the craftsmanship that goes into each and every single bottle, you appreciate all regions, Nate says. Consuming alcohol can be bad for your health. Overall, it has a much oakier profile but is otherwise similar. Gear Patrol participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. I cover everything from how its made, what it tastes like, where to find it, and its current price. Bottles are bought up no matter how high the retail markup. That's a great deal! The distillery, built in 1934, was located there because of the regions similarity to Scotland. Nectarous mouthfeel . If a betting man were to put money on the next discontinuation domino to fall, itd be on Hibiki 21. At around $200to$300 a bottle, this is well worth adding to your collection., A limited edition whisky that was truly exquisite. 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 soon to be discontinued, Hibiki 17-Year-Old. Prices are going up on this one, so look around the $2,000 range. Hibiki Japanese Harmony Masters Select is a limited-edition version of Harmony designed for the duty-free market. Forwarning: you will (likely) never drink this expression. I never ever liked rye until I met Michters. SRP: Not Available in the USYear Introduced: 1937Production: Ongoing. All three distilleries produce different flavor variations of whisky. How much? That sort of forced me to turn this into my full-time job because of all the love and support I was getting from so many people around the world. Need I say more? I believe I speak for all the Japanese whisky fans out there, including Bill Murray, when I say this: You'll be sorely missed, Hibiki 17. Available in nearly any decent liquor store, its perhaps the only Japanese party whisky. Chita grain whisky components are mostly aged in Spanish oak and plum wine casks. He is a Fortnum & Mason Drinks Writer ofThe Year, and has received awards from The Press Gazette, TheBeerwriters Guild and Gourmand. As a blended whisky, Japanese Harmony uses a variety of base spirits. Charles MacLean is the author of 17 books about Scotch, including Scotch Whisky: A Liquid History (which was nominated Best Wine & Spirits Book in the James Beard Awards 2005). Lets assume a 750ml Hibiki Harmony costs $80 to look at bar pricing. Its floral, spicy, and smooth. So its the epitome of watered-down. Dave Broom has been writing, teaching and speaking about spirits for over 30 years and is the author of The World Atlas of Whisky. (Other whiskies created in this era from Bowmore include the famed Black and the Final 50 Year Old). Suntory. Suntory also produces multiple profiles of whisky at each of these three distilleries. And if you find it, make sure it has the box (extra points if it has the ribbon. Its hard not to like. Reply Josh PetersOctober 26, 2015 Moreover, the rules of what constitutes Japanese whisky are quite flexible. A large ice cube will yield a cold whisky with only modest dilution. Meanwhile, rival Nikka pruned all of its age statement whiskies. Suntory decided to get rid of Hibiki 12 and 17 instead. Many high-end places in the United States and Canada carry Hibiki 21. Its a smooth blended Scotch with a pronounced kick of Japanese oak flavors. The finish is long, sweet and fruity. There are some companies exploiting the lack of legislation around Japanese whisky, and greater transparency is needed, but it would be wrong to infer that all the Japanese whisky which is exported is in some way 'tainted'. It includes some ice, as well. Then theres the monochromatic version, which is a single cask limited to 241 bottlesand at a much higher price of around $15,000to$20,000. An acute shortage of aged stocks, the result of the combination of rising demand and lower production from roughly 1985 to around 2008, has meant that many Japanese whisky stalwarts have either been discontinued or have become impossible to find. *Source: Wayback Machine archives of wine-searcher.com. Suntory pulled the plug on the 12 years aged Hibiki in 2015 and released Japanese Harmony in its place. Hibiki 30 has more mizunara influence, a darker color, and more spice. Steve Beal: Yoichi fans might easily enjoy several options. If youre interested in Japanese whisky history, check out this article. The same goes for local shops. The liquid itself exhibits an immediate woody note on the nose, with the brighter, more acidic notes relegated to a supporting role. Tasting notes include honeyed malt, butter, caramel, white chocolate, black pepper, ginger, vanilla, lavender, heather, faint brine, more citrus, golden raisin, apricot, and aloe. kingdom hearts atlantica dolphin won't appear, georgia blue shrimp and grits recipe,