An original favorite in cult Japanese whisky, Hibiki is still a major score for fans and collectors of the category, especially the brand's 21 Year Old expression. Although it's a blend, the source material is top-notch, pure Japanese pedigree. As connoisseurs well know, the big controversy in Japanese whisky the last several years was firms buying up global stock, distilled elsewhere, bringing it to Japan, where it was then aged and bottled. Is that really Japanese whisky? We all know the answer.
With Hibiki, Suntory only uses distillate made and aged in their Japanese facilities, with single malt juice from the Yamazaki and Hakushu distilleries, and grain whisky from the Chita distillery. The result is the suave, elegant, delicate Hibiki profile taken to an incredibly refined state.
If you watch the market, you've no doubt seen prices on the 21 Year Old shoot through the roof and enter orbit, so we were stunned to be able to secure a healthy stock at this price, one of the best in the country. However, it's only for a limited time, so whether you're in need a of "wow" gift for the upcoming holidays or you just want to add a cornerstone gem to your collection at an unbeatable price, now is the time to stock up.
Deep layers of vanilla and mizunara oak with sugar sprinkled pastries, incense sticks, oiled wood, tatami, dried apricot, golden sultana, and faint smoky spiciness. Nectarous mouthfeel with honey, barley sugar, dried citrus, orange peel, and delicate spices, it continues to sweeten beautifully showing vanilla, sugared almonds, banana custard, with hints of ginger and gentle oak. Slightly gummy finish as the vanilla quenches little eruptions of wood spices.
93 points, Jonny McCormick, Whisky Advocate (Winter 2021)
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