Hibiki Japanese Harmony Blended Japanese Whisky 700ml

Hibiki Japanese Harmony is the flagship and foundation of the Hibiki range from The House of Suntory, the founding house of Japanese whisky, and one of the most awarded and revered blended whiskies in the world. Hibiki, meaning "resonance" in Japanese, was first created in 1989 to commemorate Suntory's 90th anniversary, and the Japanese Harmony expression embodies the brand's philosophy of balance and harmony with nature. It is a meticulous blend of at least 10 different malt and grain whiskies drawn from Suntory's three distilleries: malt from Yamazaki and Hakushu, and grain from Chita. The component whiskies are aged in five different cask types, with American white oak malt whiskies forming the solid base, rare Japanese Mizunara oak and sherry cask malts providing the dressing, a smoky malt adding hidden complexity, and Chita grain whisky acting as the "dashi" or broth that ties the personality of the blend together. The result is a delicately balanced, smooth, and subtly sweet whisky with a transparency of taste that reveals all of its complexities at once. Presented in the iconic 24 faceted decanter symbolizing Japan's 24 traditional seasons, Hibiki Japanese Harmony is extremely versatile, sublime neat, over a hand carved ice ball, or in a Japanese highball, and is widely embraced as the paragon of the Art of Japanese Whisky.

ABV / Proof

Tasting Notes

Color: Bright amber gold with great clarity.

Nose: Slightly floral with rose and orange blossom, apricot, marmalade, honey, fresh citrus, lychee, clove, vanilla, and a slight Mizunara sandalwood aroma that becomes more noticeable as it sits.

Palate: Silky and smooth with honey sweetness, candied orange peel, white peach, apricot, white chocolate, cinnamon spice, and light oak. Clean, well defined, and fully integrated.

Finish: Subtle, tender, and long lasting with notes of Mizunara spice, refined fruit, and a clean floral elegance with light smoke.

FAQ

What is Hibiki? Hibiki, meaning "resonance," is The House of Suntory's prestigious line of blended Japanese whiskies, first created in 1989 for Suntory's 90th anniversary. It is Japan's most highly awarded blended whisky and among the most prestigious whiskies in the world. Japanese Harmony is the flagship and entry point to the range.

Is Hibiki Japanese Harmony a single malt? No, it is a blended whisky, combining malt whiskies from the Yamazaki and Hakushu distilleries with grain whisky from the Chita distillery. The art of the blend, marrying 10+ component whiskies aged in five cask types, is precisely what makes Hibiki special.

What does the 24 faceted bottle represent? The iconic Hibiki decanter has 24 facets, symbolizing the 24 sekki, the traditional Japanese seasons of the old lunar calendar. The design reflects the brand's philosophy of harmony with nature and the passage of time, and has become one of the most recognizable bottle shapes in whisky.

Why is there no age statement? Suntory discontinued the age stated Hibiki 12 Year in 2015 due to surging demand outpacing aged stock, and replaced it with the no age statement Japanese Harmony. This allowed the blenders flexibility to maintain the signature Hibiki character using a wider range of component whiskies. The NAS approach is now standard across much of the premium Japanese whisky category.

How should I drink it? Extremely versatile. Enjoy neat or with a few drops of water to open the floral and fruity complexity, over a hand carved ice ball for the classic Japanese serve, or in a Japanese highball with sparkling water and a citrus twist. Pairs beautifully with sushi, light seafood, and delicate cheeses.

How does this compare to other Hibiki releases? Japanese Harmony is the flagship foundation of the range. Above it sit the age stated Hibiki 17, 21, and 30 Year expressions (increasingly rare and expensive), plus limited editions like Master's Select and the annual Blossom Harmony sakura cask release, which is built on the Japanese Harmony blend.

Where can I buy Hibiki Japanese Harmony online? Available here at Liquor On Broadway while stock lasts, with fast insured shipping nationwide.