Hibiki Harmony got into markets replacing the 12 Yr old variety. Like a no-age statement whisky, maybe it's distributed around a broader audience, it also resides in turmoil with endless comparisons towards the whisky it replaced. Removing age statements gives producers flexibility making whisky (why should 12 years function as the minimum age within the bottle?), it produces a sense of distrust with all the consumer used to visiting a number around the bottle.
Harmony is softer, gentler, and provides a quieter complexity in comparison to the discontinued 12 yr old. You can find whiskies which can be had best in a loud crowd, and whiskies you'll enjoy most with a select few of friends. Harmony is really a singular experience. It does not take whisky that includes a lot to say, but speaks quietly. Sure, it is not Hibiki 12, however it is entirely possible it has more to make available.
What's within the whisky?
Hibiki could be the high-end blended brand from Beam Suntory. Hibiki 17 and 21 yr old are beautiful whiskies, as well as the 21 is just about the best whiskies I've tasted. All Hibiki releases really are a blend of malted barley and grain whisky, with various kinds of oak used. This is the mixture of malt from Yamazaki, Hakashu, and Chita whisky (mostly corn whisky). Regarding barrels used, there's American oak, some sherry oak, and Japanese Mizunara oak.
While blended whisky gets a bad reputation, and Hibiki makes an effort to not market itself consequently, it becomes an instance of why blended whiskies shouldn't be ignored.
Nose: Notes of the vanilla-citrus terrine. Wonderful caramel sweetness mixed with bright orange zest, joined with heavier toasted spice notes. A traditional oaky spice gets control of the nose after a time, knowning that provides you with something unique. It's buttery, has a touch of char, nice vanilla, a bit of candied ginger included with the mix. A mixture of vanilla citrus finishes off of the nose as time passes.
Palate: A good looking spread of oak tannins, vanilla sweetness, sharp pepper spice, plus a buttery finish. Honey, cinnamon, and nutmeg come through nicely. It's sharper about the palate compared to the nose. The conclusion is gentle, and heavier over a blend of buttery-sweet and cinnamon spice.
Conclusion: The nose does wonders, and the palate might be a more ordinary, but overall the best Hibiki you are able to buy in the marketplace. It's priced well in the market in which the supply and demand chart for Japanese whisky is out-of-this-world.
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