Hello. This is Peaty Editorial Team.
Hibiki is a blended whisky made in Japan.
It is characterized by its refreshing and smooth taste, and the Product List is incredibly diverse. It ranges from mass-produced items to rare labels that are produced only a few thousand bottles a year.
This luxurious blended whisky is crafted with meticulous care, using whiskies from the three distilleries operated by Suntory: Yamazaki, Hakushu, and Chita. These whiskies are blended in perfect harmony, creating a whisky where the spirits from the three distilleries “resonate” with each other, as the name “Hibiki” suggests.
Now, let’s dive deeper into Hibiki. We’ll provide information that will be helpful for those who want to learn more about Hibiki, or for anyone currently considering ordering or buying it!
- Hibiki: A Blended Whisky Representing Japan
- Hibiki is made by blending whiskies from three Suntory distilleries: Yamazaki, Hakushu, and Chita.
- Each whisky has its own unique characteristics, and the blending ratios remain undisclosed as Suntory’s master blenders carefully assess the state of each whisky before blending.
- The taste varies depending on the Product List, but overall, Hibiki is known for its rounded, soft flavor.
- In April 2024, price increases were officially announced, with Hibiki 30 Year jumping to 360,000 yen—more than double the price as of February 2024. Now is the perfect time to buy!
Flavor and Product List
Hibiki is a whisky characterized by its elegant and soft flavor.
Now, let’s take a closer look at the features of the following six products.
- Hibiki JAPANESE HARMONY
- Hibiki JAPANESE HARMONY Master’s Select
- Hibiki BLENDER’S CHOICE
- Hibiki 17 Year
- Hibiki 21 Year
- Hibiki 30 Year
Hibiki JAPANESE HARMONY
Hibiki JAPANESE HARMONY is crafted with the concept of resonating with Japan’s four seasons, the delicate sensibilities of the Japanese people, and the craftsmanship of Japan’s artisans. It is a whisky that allows you to enjoy a harmonious balance of elegance and softness.
Among the Hibiki Product List, it is a non-age statement whisky and the most standard in the lineup.
It has a floral aroma reminiscent of roses and lychees, and when tasted, a soft honey-like flavor spreads in your mouth. The gentle and slightly lingering finish continues smoothly.
With an alcohol content of 43%, it is relatively easy to drink, and adding water brings out further nuances, making it a whisky that can be enjoyed both straight or as a mizuwari (with water).
Being the most accessible in the Hibiki Product List and offering a hint of sweetness, it is an easy-to-drink whisky. Therefore, it’s perfect for both whisky beginners and those who are just starting to expand their knowledge and want to enjoy whisky more. This is definitely a bottle you should have at home.
The manufacturer’s suggested retail price is 5,500 yen. If you find it at this price, be sure to grab it!
ポチップHibiki JAPANESE HARMONY Master’s Select
This limited edition of Hibiki JAPANESE HARMONY is specially blended with sherry cask whisky from Yamazaki. One notable difference from the regular JAPANESE HARMONY is that it is exclusively available at duty-free shops.
In addition to the elegant and soft flavors of JAPANESE HARMONY, you can enjoy the sweetness derived from the sherry cask.
The aroma features rose and woody notes, starting with a slight bitterness and flavors of dark chocolate, followed by lingering sweetness, a hint of acidity, and spiciness. Whether enjoyed straight or with water, you can fully savor the distinctive aftertaste of Hibiki.
Since it’s not available in regular stores, make sure to grab it if you find it!
ポチップHibiki BLENDER’S CHOICE
Hibiki BLENDER’S CHOICE is a whisky made with an average of over 15 years of aged whisky, with some of the whiskies in the blend aged up to 30 years.
A distinctive feature of this whisky is that it not only blends various types of whisky but also includes whisky finished in wine casks.
It has a bright and soft aroma reminiscent of wild strawberries and peaches, with a rounded sweetness and a gentle acidity. The soft and pleasant aftertaste lingers until the very end.
To fully appreciate the original flavors of the whisky, we recommend enjoying it straight or on the rocks.
Additionally, this label is sold by Suntory specifically for restaurants and bars, so if you’re interested, try searching for it at your local bar or dining establishment.
ポチップHibiki 17 Year
Hibiki 17 Years is a whisky made from whiskies aged 17 years or more. It was created to commemorate Suntory’s 90th anniversary and is the first bottle in the Hibiki line.
This expression symbolizes Hibiki, crafted through the masterful blending of diverse whiskies to create a harmonious balance.
You can enjoy the sweet and floral aromas of rose, jasmine, and vanilla from the Mizunara casks used at the Yamazaki Distillery, along with a caramel-like sweetness. Additionally, it offers a long, sweet, fruity, and refined finish.
Hibiki 17 Years has won numerous prestigious awards worldwide, but unfortunately, it has been unavailable for sale since September 2018 due to the increasing demand for domestic whisky.
For whisky enthusiasts, this is certainly one of the highly anticipated whiskies for a potential re-release.
To fully appreciate its floral aroma and sweetness, we recommend enjoying it straight.
Since it is currently unavailable for purchase, it is a rare find even in bars. If you come across it, consider yourself lucky and take the opportunity to savor the essence of Hibiki with Hibiki 17 Years.
ポチップHibiki 21 Year
Hibiki 21 Years is crafted by blending carefully selected whiskies that have been aged for 21 years or more, including both malt and grain whiskies.
It features a fruity and rich aroma with notes of raisins and vanilla, while the palate offers a smooth texture with elegant flavors of biscuits and toffee. This expression is a superb representation of complexity.
You can truly savor its lingering finish, allowing you to enjoy the whisky slowly.
For those who wish to appreciate its floral sweetness, it’s best enjoyed straight; however, if you’re interested in a bit of spiciness, trying it on the rocks is also recommended.
There is hardly any alcoholic sharpness, and the rich sweetness lingers for a long time, making it a great choice for after meals.
The manufacturer’s suggested retail price is 32,000 yen. Unfortunately, it has become quite difficult to find it at this price nowadays…
ポチップHibiki 30 Year
Hibiki 30 Years is a highly rare expression within the Hibiki lineup, with only a few thousand bottles produced each year.
The harmony created from meticulously selected malt and grain whiskies, aged for over 30 years, offers a rich and profound flavor profile.
This whiskey, with its deep amber color, showcases its richness and is crafted with care and attention entirely by hand.
You can expect a deeply floral aroma reminiscent of mango and strawberry jam, accompanied by a luscious and thick sweetness that is apparent from the very first sip. It culminates in a fruity, airy flavor with a long and profound finish. I have had the pleasure of trying it once, and its unique thickness and sweetness set it apart from any other whiskey. This is definitely a bottle to try at least once!
Given that Hibiki 30 Years has a list price of over 100,000 yen, its rarity is high, and I cannot emphasize enough how strongly I recommend you try it if you come across it!
As of 2024, the suggested retail price of 160,000 yen is now approaching 1,000,000 yen in the secondary market.
ポチップWhen to Buy or Order Hibiki
For those of you reading this article because you want to learn more about Hibiki, many of you might be wondering whether you should buy a bottle or enjoy it now.
To help you make that decision, I’d like to provide my insights on when to purchase or order Hibiki based on different scenarios! Below, I’ll outline the notable expressions in the lineup.
The History of Hibiki
Next, let’s explore the history of Hibiki!
Hibiki is the first blended whiskey created by Suntory. Having established distilleries like Yamazaki and Hakushu, Suntory had accumulated knowledge about whiskey, which they utilized to craft this blended whiskey.
We’ll also delve into the philosophy behind the creation of Hibiki. Understanding the history and story of whiskey can offer a different way to enjoy it.
Hibiki was first released in 1989.
To trace back about 60 years, in the 1920s, there were hardly any whiskeys produced in Japan. In this context, Suntory established the Yamazaki Distillery, marking the beginning of malt whiskey production. (Construction of the Yamazaki Distillery began in 1923, and the first whiskey, “Hakutsuru,” was launched in 1929.)
After that, Suntory continued to expand its distilleries.
The next distillery established after Yamazaki was the Hakushu Distillery. It was founded by Keizo Saji, the second president of Suntory, who wanted to create a whiskey with a different personality from that of Yamazaki.
Located at the foot of the Southern Alps in Yamanashi Prefecture, the Hakushu Distillery is known as the “Distillery in the Forest” due to its lush natural surroundings. As a result, Hakushu whiskey offers fresh flavors reminiscent of mint and young leaves, evoking a sense of the forest.
The next distillery established was the Chita Distillery, which produces grain whiskey (made from corn). Distillation began in 1973, and initially, it only produced grain whiskey for blending purposes, mainly for Hibiki and Kakubin.
As a side note, in 2015, “Single Grain Whiskey Chita” was released. This was a significant product for Suntory as it marked the introduction of a new brand of whiskey after approximately 11 years, making it quite a topic of discussion at the time.
In this way, as Suntory began to dominate the Japanese whiskey scene, the founder, Shinjiro Torii’s desire to “create whiskey that reflects the delicate palate of Japanese sensibilities while utilizing the Japanese landscape” was once again embodied in Hibiki.
The first bottle of Hibiki, the Hibiki 17 Year Old, was released in 1989, coinciding with Suntory’s 90th anniversary. Since then, the lineup has expanded to include Hibiki 12 Year, 21 Year, and 30 Year, leading to the current offerings.
It is worth noting that Suntory’s whiskeys are extremely popular, and starting from the April 2024 shipment, many brands, including Hibiki, will see a price increase. For more details, please check the official website.
Hibiki’s Reputation
Hibiki has received various awards over the years. Through these accolades, it has become a world-renowned blended whiskey. Today, it is widely recognized as one of the representative brands of “Japanese whiskey” on the global stage.
2004 ISC: Gold Medal (Hibiki 21 Years) & Trophy (Hibiki 30 Years)
※ IWSC = International Wine and Spirits Competition
2005 SWSC: Gold Medal (Hibiki 17 Years)
2005 ISC: Gold Medal (Hibiki 21 Years)
2006 ISC: Gold Medal (Hibiki 21 Years) & Trophy (Hibiki 30 Years)
2007 IWSC: Gold Medal (Hibiki 17 Years)
2007 WWA: World’s Best Blended Whiskey (Hibiki 30 Years)
2007 IWSC: Gold Medal (Hibiki 30 Years)
2007 ISC: Trophy (Hibiki 30 Years)
2008 ISC: Best in Class Trophy in the “Whiskey of the World” category (Hibiki 30 Years)
2008 WWA: World’s Best Blended Whiskey (Hibiki 30 Years)
2009 ISC: Gold Medal (Hibiki 17 Years)
SWSC = San Francisco World Spirits Competition
ISC = International Spirits Challenge
WWA = World Whisky Awards
Features of Hibiki’s Production Method
Next, let’s introduce the features of Hibiki’s production method!
The most significant feature of Hibiki is its blending technique. Hibiki is created by blending carefully selected whiskies produced and matured at the Yamazaki Distillery, Hakushu Distillery, and Chita Distillery, with a master blender achieving an exquisite balance in the blend.
Each of the three distilleries produces high-quality whiskies with distinct characteristics, and blending them while preserving their individuality is no simple feat.
This can only be achieved through the masterful techniques of blenders passed down through generations. Even whiskies made through similar processes can exhibit differences in aroma and flavor due to variations in barrel types and their placement.
By discerning these differences every day and blending to enhance each whisky’s uniqueness, Hibiki has gained worldwide acclaim.
Blenders may taste over 300 different whiskies in a single day. Additionally, the whiskies used in Hibiki are carefully selected from over 800,000 barrels across the three distilleries. It’s easy to imagine that the complexity of selecting whiskies and determining blending ratios involves a level of skill that is beyond the grasp of amateurs.
Summary
I summarized “Hibiki,” one of Japan’s representative brands. While it can be challenging to purchase a bottle, it’s not difficult to find it in bars or izakayas. If you see it, please enjoy it while reading this article!
Note: The reference for the suggested retail price is fromSuntory’s official website.
Hibiki can also be obtained through hometown tax contributions. Although it’s limited in quantity, it’s worth checking out!
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