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Launched in 1989 to commemorate the 90th anniversary of Suntory’s founding, Hibiki is a premium blended whisky that was created based on the corporate philosophy of resonating with people and nature.
The concept of "Hibiki Japanese Harmony” is “a whisky that brings together the four seasons of Japan, the delicate sensibilities of the Japanese people, and the skills of Japanese craftsmen.
The Making of Hibiki
The raw materials that make up the deep flavors of Hibiki are nurtured at Suntory’s three distilleries. The Yamazaki Distillery was built in Yamazaki, Kyoto, a place that boasts of its famous water. The malt liquor born in this humid place, where the three rivers Uji, Katsura and Kizu converge, has a gorgeous and elegant flavor.
The Hakushu Distillery is located in Yamanashi, embraced by Mount Kai Komagatake. The malt liquor produced in the forest, which is rare in the world, has a light mouthfeel and a refreshing aroma.
The grain, which is the keystone of the blended whisky flavor, enhances the character of the malt and brings the whole into harmony. It is produced at the Chita Distillery on the Chita Peninsula in Aichi Prefecture, overlooking Ise Bay.
Gorgeous aroma and deep yet soft taste
Hibiki is a product that embodies the Hibiki concept of whiskey made with the four seasons of Japan, Japanese sensibilities, and Japanese craftsmanship.
Suntory Whiskey Hibiki JAPANESE HARMONY” is an excellent whiskey made with a variety of raw materials and craftsmanship cultivated in the history of Suntory’s whiskey production, regardless of the age of the whiskey.
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The “Hibiki” brand’s 24-sided bottle design, which represents the 24 seasons of the year (*), has been retained, and the word “Hibiki” has been applied in black ink on the Echizen Japanese paper label to express the sophisticated world view of Japanese whiskey.
The year is divided into the four seasons of spring, summer, autumn, and winter, and the four seasons are further divided into six periods, each of which is named after a seasonal characteristic, such as “Risshun” and “Risutatsu”.
Aroma | Rose, lychee, a hint of rosemary, a hint of aged oak, sandalwood |
Taste | Clear sweetness of honey, orange peel chocolate. |
Aftertaste | Delicate, gentle, lingering finish with a hint of Quercus. |
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Alcohol content | 43% alcohol by volume |
Alcohol category | blended whisky |
Barrel type | More than 30 types of long-aged malt barrels and several types of long-aged grain barrels |
Contents | 700ml |
Number of units sold | – |
Suggested retail price | 5,500 yen (tax included) |
Release date | March 10, 2015 |
Our Take
Hibiki Japanese Harmony is a sincere whisky with a very mild and gentle taste.
It has no peculiarities, so it will appeal to everyone. There is no floral aroma, fruit aroma, vanilla feeling, etc., but it is a perfect whisky taste. It is a hardcore whisky with a high degree of perfection.
This is a blended whisky that Suntory proudly calls the best. It is easy to drink, full-bodied, and has the potential to make whisky lovers and even those who are not fond of it fall in love with it.
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