I first stumbled upon the Hibiki Blossom Harmony releases a couple years ago when searching relentlessly online for locations near me to buy Japanese whisky. While it did not appear in my online search, I encountered a 2022 iteration of the Blossom Harmony while visiting a store to gaze over a bottle of Hibiki 21 I discovered. At that point in my Japanese whisky journey, I did not know too much about the history of limited releases by Suntory, nor did I understand that – starting in 2021 – it was the beginning of a yearly tradition to release Blossom Harmony bottlings. On a whim – which I typically avoid with larger whisky purchases – I decided to buy the Hibiki Blossom Harmony 2022. 

This is where some might simply say they opened the bottle, enjoyed it, and the rest is history – but that’s not the case with my Blossom Harmony experience. For me, this purchase culminated in me having a greater appreciation for Japanese culture and Japanese whisky and reminded me to celebrate life. You see, one thing to note about the Blossom Harmony releases is that they take the standard Hibiki Japanese Harmony blend and finish it in Sakura casks, made from Sakura trees…also known as cherry trees. From the informational pamphlet that accompanies the bottle inside the box, I learned of the tradition and history that the Sakura flower means to Japan. Sakura blossoms are meant to indicate new life and new meaning. While I certainly may not be “old”, I am starting to become more appreciative of the deeper meaning in things with the more time I spend on this earth.

Over a year ago (as of this writing), my wife and I learned that we were expecting twin girls to join our family. Such a happening instantly reminded me of the Sakura bloom and the two new lives that my wife and I would have the privilege to witness and cultivate. On the surface level, it may seem bizarre to compare all of these things to one another but as many in the whisk(e)y world may say, whisk(e)y is more than a drink; it’s an experience and can often invoke sentimental memories. As this informational pamphlet suggests, enjoy and spend time with those who make you blossom. Now, let’s review this dram!

Hibiki Blossom Harmony 2022 - Review

43% ABV/86 Proof; 700 ML

Tasting Notes

Nose: The nose on this whisky is utterly beautiful. There is most certainly some added sweetness there, which I presume comes from the Sakura cask finishing. As with the standard Hibiki Japanese Harmony, the presence of the grain component in the blend is also noted. Following up on the sweetness is a syrupy note, joined by orange and citrus fruits. I also get some honey; vanilla; raisin; cinnamon; and ginger. The whole nose also presents a slight herbal and floral aroma. 

Palate: The palate, while still delicious, is not nearly as involved as the nose. The palate brings more sweetness and introduces some rich flavors, such as chocolate and caramel. A new fruit is added to the mix in the form of pear. Drizzled all throughout the palate is the presence of some light honey as well.

Finish: The finish is medium in length and is rather delicate and gentle. This blend is very soft and like the other Hibiki blends, which are also 43%, it does not hit you hard. Some luscious, juicy fruit lingers throughout the finish and is joined by some trademark notes from the standard Hibiki Japanese Harmony: Mizunara spice and incense. 

Final Thoughts 

This really is a beautiful whisky – not only in terms of flavor, but also in its sentimental meaning. As I’ve said before, the nose is almost always my favorite part of a whisky, and that’s certainly the case here with the Blossom Harmony 2022. In most cases, that does not detract from my enjoyment of the overall tasting experience though, and again, that did not happen here. Although, I admittedly would have liked more from the palate.

My Score: 86*/100

* A disclaimer that my scores are bound to change as I continue to taste and review a given spirit. This score was the result of several tastings.

Rating System:

• 96–100; An absolutely stellar whisky. Easily a contender for best whisky I’ve ever had.
• 90–95; A great whisky. One of the best whiskies I’ve had. Higher end of this spectrum approaches legend status.
• 80–89; This is a solid, strong whisky. Something is missing that prevents it from being great, but this is still a bottle I’d like to have. Anything at or above this point deserves a spot on my home bar. Higher end of this spectrum approaches “great whisky” territory.
• 70–79; This is a good whisky. Anything in this range and above is something I would consider having on my home bar. Something I could easily sip on every day and something I can enjoy simply for what it is. Does not blow me away, but is still enjoyable.
• 60–69; I’ve had better whiskies. I wouldn’t turn this down if someone offered me a dram, but I also wouldn’t go out of my way to grab a dram.
• 50–59; Not all that good. Again, might not turn it down, but would certainly not go out of my way to grab a dram or find. Would not recommend.
• 50 and below; Not worth the time.

Breakdown of Score:

Tasting Experience (Each category out of 10 possible points, then totaled/weighted 50%): 41/50 points 

• Nose (out of 10 possible points) - 9
• Palate (out of 10 possible points) - 8
• Finish (out of 10 possible points) - 7
• Balance, or how well the flavors work together (out of 10 possible points) - 9
• Complexity, or number of notes/distribution amongst them (out of 10 possible points) - 8

Tasting Experience Weighted Score of 41

Bottle Aesthetics (Out of 10 possible points, weighted 20%): 9/10 points

Bottle Aesthetics Weighted Score of 18

The Craft (Out of 10 possible points, weighted 20%): 9/10 points

The Craft Weighted Score of 18

Uniqueness (Out of 10 possible points, weighted 5%): 8/10 points

Uniqueness Weighted Score of 4

Intangibles (Out of 10 possible points, weighted 5%): 9/10 points

Intangibles Weighted Score of 4.5

Total Score = 85.5

Explanation of Scoring Criteria:

There are five total categories that amount to what I value in a whisk(e)y, and each category is weighted accordingly to what I value the most. The breakdown is as follows:

• The Tasting Experience category is weighted 50%. 50 possible points are spread evenly across five sub-categories. These sub-categories are nose; palate; finish; balance; and complexity. The rest of the categories allow a possible of 10 points each, respectively, but have varying weights.
• The Bottle Aesthetics category is weighted 20%. In this section I factor in the visuals of the just the bottle, because bottles aren’t always sold with or presented on bar shelves with their accompanying boxes.
• The Craft category is also weighted 20%. This section takes into account the process of making the whisk(e)y and the type(s) of maturation that was/were used.
• The Uniqueness category is weighted at 5%. This category takes into account anything about the dram that stands out, such as whether it’s the first release of its kind or a rare limited edition – things of that nature.
• The Intangibles category is also weighted at 5%. This category is meant to reflect some miscellaneous categories – such as, but not limited to, the versatility of a whisk(e)y and whether or not it’s easy to find – and encompass the things you can’t always see coming – such as the significance of a whisk(e)y to me personally and anytime a dram evokes a feeling of nostalgia (which truly is a thing, at least for me!).

The weighted scores are then added together to total the final score.

Images courtesy of Whisk(e)y & Whatnot.

Whisk(e)y & Whatnot
🇯🇵 whisky lover/scotch adventurer

Read his column on 88 Bamboo here!