Hibiki 12 Years Old (43%, OB, 2014)

• Category: Japanese blended whisky
• Origin: ?
• Bottling: Suntory, OB
• ABV: 43%
• Cost: £36.83

What they say

The legendary Hibiki represents true harmony. The ideal of perfection, the paragon of ‘The Art of Japanese Whisky’ and its artisans. Hibiki means resonance in Japanese. It speaks to the soul and emotions of the most discerning whisky lover. Hibiki resonates from nature and all the subtleties found from the twenty-four seasons of the old Japanese lunar calendar. Numerous pure single malt whiskies aged in a variety of cask types, including Mizunara, a very rare Japanese oak, all combine to create a full orchestra of flavors and aromas.

Blossoming. Exuberant. A dazzling, echoing roundness.

Official tasting notes:

• Color: shiny amber
• Nose: pineapple, plum, raspberry, honey, hibiscus
• Palate: banana, pomegranate, custard, pink pepper
• Finish: sweet, sour and complex

What I say

Presented at the Water Of Life Society Suntory Tasting 2014 and at Water of Life Society (WoLS) meeting 06/02/2014 – Committee’s Choice, the Hibiki 12 is the youngest of the Hibiki range of blended expressions from Suntory. In Japan there is little trading of whisky between producers, unlike in Scotland. Therefore the Hibiki blend is highly likely to be constructed from Suntory owned and operated Japanese grain and malt distilleries.

My tasting notes:

• Colour: Full amber gold with long/full tears
• Nose: Floral jasmine, tempered sweetness, honey dumplings, light cereal barley/wheat, peach (peach jelly), apple, plum
• Taste: Light, cereal grain and barley, sweetened plum sauce, peach, apricot and apple, jasmine and daffodil flower, delicate and light/medium bodied
• Finish: Short, floral with hints of honey sweetness

Overall

A floral and fragrant blend, very easy-drinking, perhaps more at home in cocktails or as a highball serve?

Score 75/100

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