The soon to be discontinued, Hibiki 17-Year-Old. The taste is closer to Harmony than expected, but is noticeably less watery rolling around the mouth and its apparent theres a different variable at play. You can taste its creamy, sweet, and fruity influence. To me, it's a reasonable question to ask. There are significant differences in the production and maturation protocols between Japanese and Scotch whisky. Everything about Yamazaki 25 is excessive (the color is literally darker than the barrels its aged in). Such a choral piece. Malt's Pilsner Beer Suntory The Premium Malt's . This bottle of Hibiki 21YR is one of a kind. Stir until the glass is cold and some of the ice has melted. 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). However, the Hibiki Harmony is not the same as the Hibiki 12. In October of 2015, the price averaged $500-$600. Satisfaction guaranteed or your money back. Hibiki 30 is a rare and remarkable Japanese whisky. Your email address will not be published. Your email address will not be published. In 2017, Suntory officially discontinued Hibiki 17. The Times named him Scotlands leading whisky expert in 2010. Hibiki Harmony wins the value category. Furthermore, for at least a decade, Suntory has increased production. Prices have increased from around $1000 to $1400 in only a few years. For Westerners, this lends it a slightly more familiar flavor at least initially. This led to a limited number of bottles and crazy price increases. Every product is carefully selected by our editors. And the whisky market could also cool off. Use the table of contents below to jump to a specific section. The Hibiki 17 and Hakushu 12 are just the latest aged whiskies to get the chop. An extremely highly-revered bottle from Nikkas first (Ichi means no. Japanese Harmony has a fairly accessible price point for a Japanese whisky and is the most inexpensive bottle in the Hibiki line, starting at around $75 USD per 750 ml bottle (per The Whiskey. The third of the three Suntory distilleries. And Suntory doesnt have enough whisky stocks to meet the demand for Hibiki. I've got a problem. Prices for top-ranked Japanese whiskies, like the Yamazaki 12, have increased 10-fold over the last 20 years. Thats a big range. Its not a bad investment, but there are better options in my opinion. Johnny Walker Blue only costs about $200 retail in the US. Over the last decade demand for Japanese whisky around the world has exploded. Yamazaki. Its also mellow and smooth. *As an affiliate advertiser for Etsy, I earn commissions on qualifying purchases. I have never had a bad dram of Hakushu, and the meticulous Japanese way of creating anything would suggest that I probably never will. In 2015, Suntory announced it was discontinuing Hibiki 12. There arent many whiskies that stack up against Hibiki. Its the benchmark Hibiki an award-getting bottle that shows off the power of Japanese whisky making technique and, more specifically, the Mizunara oak tree. I love Old Fashioneds made with Hibiki Harmony. Nathaniel Ganapathi (better known as Nate Gana) is. The peat is still there, but shows up more on first tasting than it does near the end of a glass. He has written 16 books, the majority about whisky. And the third would be a Penicillin with Hakushu 18 floated on top. In 2018, Suntory announced it was discontinuing its popular Hibiki 17-year-old bottling due to a lack of sufficiently aged spirit (although that discontinuation does not appear to have actually happened). But dont count on Hibiki 21 being discontinued. If you want to try this whisky before taking the plunge on a whole bottle, restaurants and bars are the way to go. But they often markup Japanese whiskies a lot. And if youre a whisky generalist, there are many other excellent whiskies available that are much more affordable than Hibiki Harmony. In this case, that means a spirit with a weighty body, heavy coconut and sandalwood aroma and a balanced sweet- and spice-driven taste profile. Theyre both blended whiskies from prestigious Japanese whisky manufacturers. My middle name is Ichiroso to see a formerly little known brand, Ichiros Malt, out there and breaking records, its just so cool!. Charles MacLean: The flavour profile and texture of Hibiki 17 is not unlike Loch Lomond Single Grain Scotch: Fruity top notes fresh apples and pears; citric lemons, oranges and pineapple give way to butterscotch and black pepper on a biscuit base. Hibiki Harmony makes a fine highball. Otherwise, a bottle will run you upward of $7,500 in store, or $10,000-plus online. Specific notes include rose, orange and lemon peels, green apple, lychee, sandalwood, eucalyptus, and mint. Overall, it has a much oakier profile but is otherwise similar. The Yamazaki 12 YO is matured in a combination of ex-bourbon and new oak casks, 80%, and the balance in a mix of sherry butts and Mizunara casks. (1110176) - The Dream of a Butterfly. But if you dont mind using a relatively hard-to-get whisky for your drink, its an awesome choice. Dont forget the almonds or quince either. The demand for it is out pacing the supply, which is contributing to it's availability. The expression was not meant. Hi Al nara! He resides in The Netherlands and in South Carolina. The question is, will the price of Hibiki 21 continue to see robust growth? You may opt-out by. For a 1.5-ounce pour, a bar program selling Hibiki Harmony will likely charge between $18.88 and $31.47. Yamazaki 18 is more powerfully fruity and has a velvety texture. How much ? Totally agree about Fuji. But Nates list is an excellent cross section of what a good spirits collector would want stocked in the liquor cabinetsome Speysides, some Islays, some Japanese Scotches, and a good Kentucky rye: I used to gravitate mainly towards Speyside Scotches. Diluted to bottling strength, its conceivable that up to 20% of the whisky bottled in Japan originated in Scotland. In the glass, Hibiki 21 is dark, fruity, and a bit oily. The use of Japanese oak, the blending of different distillates from a single distillery, plus different yeasts and the effects of the Japanese climate makes it impossible, so don't try. This was a big blow to long-time Japanese whisky enthusiasts. Lost in Translation was a big hit. And many enthusiasts are right to ask: is Hibiki 21 discontinued too? Or Mortlach 16-year-old, meatier but with great complexity and also sherry matured. A few years ago, the wholesale price was just under $200. You may opt-out by. Hibiki 17 Year Old and Hakushu 12 Year Old will be discontinued after 2018 Japanese whisky has experienced a renaissance in recent years but as demand has soared, producers have struggled to. After all, Japans favorite way to consume whiskey which entails mixing a few ounces of whisky with a few ounces of club soda (lemon spritz optional) was not a prudent way to use up more mature bottles. So to supply a thirsty market, several iconic labels were cut. The Hibiki includes malt from Yamazaki, but it has more depth and balance. This question deserves its own post. Only 522 of these bottles were sold, with the proceeds going to seven different Islay-based charities, to give thanks to the people of the smoky and peaty isle,Ganapathi says This whisky was so oversubscribed to for the chance to purchase a bottle, that Diageo had to ballot off the bottles to random winners. Foods like barbeque, grilled steak, and lamb can be a great combo with Hibiki. I am looking for the Suntory Hibiki 21 years Dekanta.. Heres everything you need to know. Check out the retailers below. The expression, called Suntory Shirofuda, tasted too much like Scotch too peaty, too powerful. Hibiki is a blended whisky featuring malt and grain components. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. *Source: Wayback Machine archives of wine-searcher.com. Check out some of the eye-popping stats on Viticult. Do you think its a good deal? Its creamy, semi-sweet, and very smooth. It depends on who you ask. When a Westerner thinks of Japanese whisky, they think of names under the House of Suntory. But it's a reasonable question to ask. Its also three- to five-times the price. Its the only of the brands whiskies which include Yamazaki, Hakushu and Toki to feature a blend of spirits distilled and aged at each of its three whiskey producing outposts (Yamazaki Distillery, Hakushu Distillery, Chita Distillery). Dalwhinnie doesnt have any Japanese mizunara oak, however. Overall, Hibiki Harmony is a mellow and smooth blended whisky. So it has been a great investment. Why? In 1929, Torii hired Masataka Taketsuru to create the worlds first Japanese whisky. Suntory Toki is a blended whisky using Chita grain and malt from Yamazaki and Hakushu. Until then, Scotland has some outstanding whiskies that you can substitute. Meanwhile, rival Nikka pruned all of its age statement whiskies. After speaking to a member of the Suntory Japan PR team over the weekend, its been confirmed that yet another bottle from the aged Hibiki range will be removed from the lineup. The distillery has an impressive library of whiskies . But make sure to factor in the cost of shipping. Your email address will not be published. Johnny Walker Blue is probably Hibikis biggest blended whisky competitor. Do your best to find the 1981 Feis Ile 2008 release, as it is the only official single cask to be released by this distillery! Its part review with tasting notes, similar whiskies, and product info. Suntorys Hakushu distillery is hidden under a mountain in central Japans Yamanashi Prefecture. Yamazaki 12 is primarily made up of whisky aged in American oak and ex-bourbon casks, with trace amounts of whisky coming from Olorosso or Mizunara casks. Yamazaki adds deeper fruit, a silky texture, spice, and some backbone. We also fascinate the taste buds in Japan and the Asian market with our Premium Malt's beer. Just because Hibiki Japanese Harmony replaced Hibiki 12-year doesnt mean theyre the same whisky. Since 2013, Suntory has invested over $182 million into ramping up production. If you use smaller ice cubes, it will lead to a more watered-down and light-tasting Hibiki. 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 . Stills have been added to both the Yamazaki and Hakushu sites and the companys Ohmi Aging Cellar has undergone a large expansion. All of these are from Suntory and its various distilleries. But it can also make a good match with several dishes. Sherry casks are a minor component of the Japanese Harmony blend. Difference. The change is slow, but drinkers are no longer associating young age with inferior quality. Again, this was discontinued and replaced by an older bottling: the 12 Year Old. 1 vault. But I think that Harmony is a blend of 5-20 year-aged whiskies, averaging less than ten years. The Port Charlotte 16, however, is probably more difficult to get than Yoichi. However, as whisky takes time to age, this new. This is expected to change now that Suntory has decided to stop producing the expression, amidst shortages of aged stock. A Suntory Penicillin isnt as peaty as the original. Hibiki Harmony is lighter, more floral, and exotic. Prices at these stores are usually ok. This page explores every angle of this Japanese whisky. There again, no single malt whisky is replicable thats the point. A popular 12 Year was released later, followed more recently by Hibiki Harmony. Suntory often refers to these as Heavy Type, Medium Type, and Light Type. Over the course of production, nine batches were created. The finish is medium length, with notes of vanilla, eucalyptus, and a little pepperiness. Expect to pay upward of $500 if you find it outside Taiwan and Japan. Representatives for Beam-Suntory could not confirm whether the final offering of Hibiki 17 would be available in regular retail locations before publishing. Its possible to find a cheaper bottle in Japan but not easy. An event triggered by soaring reviews and awards in the early 2000s, the categorys popularity that put producers on their heels and unable to keep up with demand. The Hakushu () malt portion of the Hibiki blend is savory, mildly peaty, and crisp. And you can sometimes find it for a reasonable price. The finish is long and complex, with flavors of dried fruit, spices and some lingering raspberry and blueberry notes. 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. Description While this Hibiki 12 Years old bottle has been discontinued since 2015, it continues to occupy a prominent place in the hearts of Japanese Whisky enthusiasts. And the average retail price starts at around $100 pre-tax. Get it from my Etsy store for only $23 plus shipping. The 2019 Edition of Hibiki 17 is available for pre-order on Japanese whisky retailer Dekanta for a whopping $600, a $450 jump over the whisky's official $150 retail price. Consuming alcohol can be bad for your health. In 2018, Beam Suntory recently discontinued its most famous expressions, namely, Hibiki 17-year-old and Hakusha 12-year-old. Japan does hold a close place in my heart because of my Japanese roots and cultural background. Large retail stores (in major cities) like Costco, Binnys, BevMo!, and Total Wine will sometimes have a bottle in stock. Having said that, prices of all old stock original bottlings should see a significant increase in value almost immediately once production begins again (with prices even higher than what you see today). Hibiki 17 is most known for the flavors exhibited by the whisky aged in ultra-rare Mizunara oak barrels, a maturation process developed in Japan said to imbue the booze with coconut and sandalwood flavors. Its unavailable in U.S. stores, though you could buy this online from a number of sites, but prices are far exaggerated from Kakubins status as a convenience store whisky in its home country. SRP: $1,600Street Price: $7,500+Year Introduced: 1984Production: Ongoing. Its finish is more drawn out, and the sweet and bright notes you get at first sip with Harmony and the 12 dont show up as quickly. Since spirit aged for less than three years is not legally considered Scotch, those numbers are in addition to official Scotch whisky exports tracked by the SWA. And with the continued demand for Japanese whisky, Harmony has become more expensive. Dont expect to find any floating around in the open though, as only 232 bottles were produced. Demand is so high that bottles are scarce and prices start around $1400 US. And at more than 82,000 followers, one could say that hes getting a helluva great start. On the palate, there is dried fruit, blackberry and strawberry jam, with expresso and bittersweet chocolate, along with cinnamon, allspice and clove. New York Restaurants April 2023: Where To GoOr Not, New York Restaurants February 2023: Where To Go, The Forbes 2022 All-Star Eateries In New York, New York Restaurants October 2022: Where To Go, New York Restaurants August 2022: Where To Go, New York Restaurants June 2022: Where To Go, New York Eateries April 2022: Where To Go, New York Restaurants February 2022: Where To Go. And it also focuses on pricing and where to buy Hibiki Harmony. Both whiskies are only lightly peated with notes of heather. The Hibiki 12 year is definitely being made and is not being discontinued. You see, Nate is a true believera real collector who has somehow managed to get his hands on incredibly hard-to-find bottlings, from limited-releases to expressions from lost distilleries such as Brora and Port Ellen, and then some. There are fruit notes of peach and citrus and a hint of tropical fruits. Each individual distillery is unique. Just a few weeks prior, I wrote on the. Here, Nate lists his top 20 picks. He has several decades of dedication to whisky. Its light, punchy and floral, the baseline for all Japanese whiskies to come. And many famous distilleries closed shop due to poor demand. Thats because the Chivas distillate spends less time in mizunara. This is also why Hibiki 12 and 17 got 86d. For 14 years, including two years in Ireland, Martin was one of the original Diageo Sr. Masters of Whisky. Marty Duffy: The Glendullan 18YO might fit the bill to fill the gap of the departure of the Hibiki 17YO. Hibiki Japanese Harmony isnt discontinued. Hibiki whisky was launched in 1989, in order to commemorate Suntory's 90th anniversary. Your last shot at Hibiki 17 ships by the third week in October. Some of this may be destined for low-level blends, some however, seems destined to reappear on the world market as Japanese whisky.. (Check out his account and I have no doubt that youd agree with my assessment.) Suntory has done a good job meeting the high demand for its classic single malts. Check it out today! Suntory pulled the plug on the 12 years aged Hibiki in 2015 and released Japanese Harmony in its place. Its received significant fanfare since then. Located in a Kyoto suburb, the Yamazaki Distillery is the birthplace of Japanese whisky. Theyre not exact, but do you think you could tell them apart in a blind tasting? Neat is a great way to enjoy the subtle but complex flavors of Harmony. And fill the glass with ice. Suntory refers to these as Heavy Type, Medium Type, and Light Type. Very few ceramic bottles obtain legendary status (case in point: Hibiki 30). At least, according to Reddit. So they made what has since become the most popular whisky Japan: Suntory Kakubin. If you are going to spend $95 for a Hibiki Harmony, try Fuji single grain, it is very good. Is Hibiki 12-Year discontinued? The beloved Nikka whisky, distilled at the Yoichi distillery in Hokkaido and brainchild of sorts of Masataka Taketsuru, the "Father of Japanese Whisky," is being discontinued. Thats a cost range of 25-15%. So I just wanted to make whisky look sexy. The results are intensely floral and fruity that, as you climb in years-in-barrel, present more depth, citrus notes and tannic twists. Expect to pay $2,000-plus if you ever see it on a shelf., Closed distillerieswhat can I saythey are all sad stories of the whisky industry. And I recommend Hakushu 12 on top. Ive had the pleasure of having this on an occasion or two, and to say that it is fantastic would not be doing it justice! The majority of Hibiki Harmonys blend is Chita grain whisky. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The blend must, after all, contain vintages aged 17 years or more. On the palate, there is more candied orange zest, along with dried fruit, milk chocolate and spice notes of cinnamon, nutmeg accompanied by a ginger pepperiness. Check it out today! A diverse blend of cask types is used for aging. But the Hibiki 17 sees a lot more mizunara and sherry cask aging. It depends on where you live. Within the Hibiki line, only Japanese Harmony (the sole non-age statement Hibiki expression) remains at or near its listed retail price in the U.S. Its a composite of Chita grain whisky and Yamazaki and Hakushu single malt whiskies, and though Suntory discloses no age information for the whiskies in the Harmony blend, its likely younger than the other offerings under the Hibiki umbrella. Please drink responsibly. If you prefer sweeter syrup, use a 2:1 ratio of honey to water. A pour of the world-renowned Japanese blend, Hibiki 17. Think of Bowmores legendary No. A lot of people are asking this question. But maybe too pronounced. 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. Its floral, spicy, and smooth. Regardless of its value, theres no doubt it is one delicious Japanese whisky. But first, lets look at how Hibiki 21 is made. Beyond that, he also serves as a spirits consultant to restaurantshelping them determine which top-shelf bottles to acquire and serve to discerning guests. The whisky is matured in a combination of ex-bourbon, sherry and Mizunara casks. And if you find it for anything less, its a steal!, One to be reckoned with. Between 1990 and 2000, Japanese whisky distilleries were getting wrecked. But Chivas Regal can also be found for half the price of Hibiki Harmony. Today, Hibiki 21 costs around $1400! In 2017, Suntory officially discontinued Hibiki 17. Hibiki 21 is known for its bouquet, impeccable balance, and smooth nature. Oh, no! Consuming alcohol can be bad for your health. And today, its more like $250. 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. Suntory. 3 Reviews. The Yamazaki 18 YO is widely considered Suntorys standard bearer. Two years ago it was $65 a bottle and limit 2 per customer. Supply and Demand Gone Crazy The supply of Hibiki 21 is very limited. Hunt them down if you can. Another value win for the regular Hibiki Harmony. Hibiki 21 is not currently discontinued; in fact, it is still available. A snifter or dedicated single malt glass will provide the best tasting experience. The entries exceeded the bottle numbers by thousands, leaving many fans disappointed. Many desserts pair beautifully with Hibiki. The followup is a swell of barrel-derived flavor compounds picked up from six more years in casks: vanilla, coconut, butterscotch, toffee and so on. Hibiki is a blend of single malt pot still whisky, both peated and unpeated, and column still produced grain whisky. (1110176) The Dream of a Butterfly, https://www.wine-searcher.com/find/hibiki+twenty+one+old+blend+whisky+japan/0/usa, Oh, no! But it is the replacement for the discontinued Hibiki 12. SRP: $250Street Price: $400-$600Year Introduced: 1994Production: Ongoing. But theyre both smooth and luxurious brands. Im a huge fan of Hibiki whiskies, but have mixed feelings about the price of Hibiki Harmony. 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. Just expect a considerable markup. Supposedly, the mizunara-aged malt whisky components are the oldest in the Hibiki Japanese Harmony blend. The fact that it is continuously reaching new highs in regards to price points, and that its quality has never ever wavered, people will be thrilled to be able to start collecting new bottlings from this formerly mothballed distillery once production starts again in 2020.
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which hibiki is discontinued?