Hibiki Japanese Harmony is the everyday bottling in Suntory's Hibiki range, a blend with no age statement launched in 2015. This is the 750mL size, bottled at 43%.
About This Whisky
Harmony was designed to carry the Hibiki style without relying on age-stated stock. It uses the same key malt and grain whiskies as the original Hibiki blend: malt from Yamazaki and Hakushu, grain from Chita. The component whiskies are matured in American oak, sherry casks and Japanese Mizunara oak. It arrived as the 12-year-old was being withdrawn, and took over its place as the entry point to the range.
Tasting Profile
- Nose: Rose, lychee, a hint of rosemary, mature woodiness and sandalwood.
- Palate: Honey-like sweetness, candied orange peel and white chocolate.
- Finish: Subtle, tender long finish, with a hint of Mizunara (Japanese oak).
Serving & Food
Easy both ways. Neat or with one large ice cube in a rocks glass, or as a highball: a chilled glass, lots of ice, one part whisky to three or four of cold soda, stirred once. It sits well with sashimi, chicken yakitori with salt, or tempura with yuzu salt.
How to Enjoy
A reliable bottle for the home bar, good for highballs and for introducing friends to Japanese blended whisky.
Product Details
Producer: House of Suntory
Origin: Japan
Style: Blended Japanese whisky
Distilleries: Yamazaki and Hakushu (malt), Chita (grain)
Cask: American oak, sherry and Mizunara casks
ABV: 43%
Proof: 86 proof
Volume: 750mL
About the Distillery
Hibiki started in 1989 with a single 17-year-old blend. A 21-year-old followed in 1994, a 30-year-old in 1997 and a 12-year-old in 2009. As the Japanese whisky boom drew down older stock, the 12 and later the 17 were withdrawn, and Japanese Harmony became the base of the range.
What has stayed the same is the method. Suntory makes a very wide range of malt and grain styles across its three distilleries and matures them in many cask types, so the blenders can hold a consistent house character from year to year.