Oak, resin, melted dark chocolate, mixed berry pie and gentle aromas of smoke are apparent on the nose, followed by sweeter notes of citrus and vanilla custard balanced by lemon zest and rich oak on the palate. The finish is long, with cinnamon, sherried fruits and more oak lingering for some time. It’s an incredible piece of craftsmanship that every whisky fan should experience in their lifetime, and with the expression destined to fade from existence in the near future, it’s worth doing while you can. Everything from the mash bill to the casks ensures sipping Hibiki is a unique experience and, the more you know about this whisky, the more you’ll appreciate drinking it. Suntory, Hibiki’s parent company, suggests pairing the whisky with nothing more than a splash of soda water and some large, clear ice cubes. Hibiki was one of the first brands to put Japanese whisky on the map, taking it from a relatively unknown concept to something adored and obsessed over after the Hibiki 30 Year Old won the World’s Best Blended Whisky category at the World Whiskies Award in London. First reaction, from nosing of bottle immediately after cap removal is distinctly and umistakably, of plum wine. A wonderful thing to experience for the first time! I left the bottle alone for 15 minutes before pouring a dram for nosing and tasting and followed up the tasting the next day, these are combined notes with my final score.

You are responsible for all activities through your account. You are responsible for the accuracy of the information you provide to us in relation to your account, and for updating it where necessary. You are not allowed to create multiple accounts. We may terminate or temporarily suspend your account to protect you, ourselves or our partners from (suspected) identity theft or other (suspected) fraudulent (e.g. false, misleading, deceptive) activity. You have the obligation to keep your login credentials confidential. You shall not authorize any others to use or access your account. The latest (and possibly last) version of the legendary Hibiki 17 Year Old limited edition houses the same outstanding flavours inside a newly designed bottle and box. In 2018, Suntory announced that this multi-award-winning whisky would be discontinued at “some point in 2019”, and with only 4 months of the year remaining, it’s safe to presume that is will be the the last Hibiki 17 release we’ll see for a long time. The bottle (it comes in what looks like an oversized aftershave bottle) is long gone but I decanted the last 50ml and finally decided to drink it last night. Hibiki, like everything else produced under the Suntory house of brands, was first inspired by Scotch whisky’s rugged yet complex nature. With a similar amber coloring but a more delicate crafting, Hibiki pulls together the best of traditional whisky with a refined edge. If we decide not to exercise or enforce any right or provision of these Terms, such decision shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision.As the first age-stated Hibiki product, it’s pretty impressive that 17 is the base age (important side note: Japanese whisky laws are notoriously lax around importing and relabeling, but by-and-large the companies otherwise abide in spirit by Scottish laws, meaning a 17-year age statement = the youngest whisky in the blend is at least 17 years old). Suntory’s other main brands - Hakushu and Yamazaki - start at 12, but both are single malts rather than blends, and there are things you can blend out that you can’t hide in a single malt. We may, but are not under any obligation, to release new functionalities and tools or other features for the Service every now and then. Any new functionalities, tools and features shall be part of and governed by the Terms from the moment they are launched and/or available. Further, we reserve the right to modify, change, discontinue the Service, add or remove features, update the Service, change its appearance, temporarily and permanently, at any time, in whole or any part thereof. The taste becomes more well rounded and balanced; now with butter and a touch of aniseed. Bitterness is reduced and finally develops into spice and wine notes. The finish is shortened, but leaves a very nice mouthfeel with a buttery finish.

But on top of the plums I get some spices, I think nutmeg and cinnamon, caramel and hints of what I think are fruits, apples and pears specifically. Since then, the brand has gone from strength to strength, incorporating delicate Japanese charm and masterful blending into cask after cask. Nowadays, Hibiki’s symbolic of what ultra-premium Japanese whisky is really capable of.Hibiki 17 Year Old Japanese Whisky is crafted from a blend of over 30 unique whiskies produced at both Yamazaki Distillery and Hakushu Distillery, including some that have matured in previously-used Umeshu casks (Umeshu casks are specially coopered casks that are used in the maturation of plum liqueur). "This is all done by hand — the traditional way," says Osamu Abe, the manager of Yamazaki Distillery, referring to the cooperage taking place at the distillery. "This is called yagura — craftsmanship. You must watch and listen to how they're made. In Japan, we say "˜use all 5 senses.' Of course we learn from others, but our own senses are key." Balance: Not as "harmonious" (as the translation of Hibiki implies), I find that although certain elements in this whisky work well, they do not combine in such a way as to elevate the overall experience, such as a very good whisky can do. Hibiki ( Japanese: 響) (meaning "resonance" [1] or "echo") is a premium blended whisky produced in Japan by Beam Suntory (a subsidiary of Suntory Beverage & Food Ltd, which itself is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings of Osaka, Japan). [2] [3] It has won several awards. [4] History [ edit ] No partnership, joint venture, agency, or employment relationship is created as a result of your use of the Service. Whiskybase B.V. is the Dutch private limited liability company, having its statutory seat in Rotterdam, The Netherlands and its office at Zwaanshals 530, 3035 KS Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Whiskybase B.V. is registered with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce under no. 52072819.