Furthermore, for at least a decade, Suntory has increased production. SRP: Not Available in the USYear Introduced: 2015Production: Ongoing. Or Mortlach 16-year-old, meatier but with great complexity and also sherry matured. If you use smaller ice cubes, it will lead to a more watered-down and light-tasting Hibiki. For blending purposes, Chita grain whisky serves as dashi; its the whisky equivalent to broth in a stew a flavorful foundation, but not the star of the show. According to Makiyo Masa, the founder and Director of Japanese online wine and spirits retailer Dekanta: Demand for Japanese whisky has hugely outstripped supply in recent years, especially when it comes to aged expressions, limited edition bottles and anything from the closed distilleries of Karuizawa and Hanyu.. But all the hype has come with a price. Dave Broom has been writing, teaching and speaking about spirits for over 30 years and is the author of The World Atlas of Whisky. But maybe too pronounced. SRP: Not Available in the USYear Introduced: 1937Production: Ongoing. Also, make sure it has the famed wooden box to go with it!, Sonot to compare past and present here, but this is a prime example of then and now. Hibiki is a blended whisky featuring malt and grain components. Hibiki 21 is a living legend within the Japanese whisky category. The soon to be discontinued, Hibiki 17-Year-Old. Hakushu is the only whisky in the Suntory profile that utilizes peated malt (the company imports it from Scotland), but thanks to exceptionally low mineral content water flowing from Mount Kaikomagatake and a much lower peat level, its intentionally tamer than the peat bombs Scotch drinkers may be used to. Its an award-winner with a price tag of around $400-$500. And if you find it for anything less, its a steal!, One to be reckoned with. Its creamy, semi-sweet, and very smooth. Sherry casks are a minor component of the Japanese Harmony blend. Simply put, everything that master distiller Matt Hoffman touches turns to liquid gold. Japanese whiskys status as the most sought-after, hard-to-find whiskey in the world is new. Hibiki 21 Year Review, Price, and Tasting Notes (2022) - The Japanese Bar Oh, no! Please drink responsibly. Prices for top-ranked Japanese whiskies, like the Yamazaki 12, have increased 10-fold over the last 20 years. An extremely highly-revered bottle from Nikkas first (Ichi means no. The vast bulk of it will be, as it has been since the 1960s, for low-end domestic blends. After all, Japans favorite way to consume whiskey which entails mixing a few ounces of whisky with a few ounces of club soda (lemon spritz optional) was not a prudent way to use up more mature bottles. A recent feature by the Nikkei Asia Review showcased the huge sales growth Japanese whisky has experienced in the past decade. In the US, Japanese Harmony comes in a 750ml bottle. The majority of Hibiki Harmonys blend is Chita grain whisky. The oldest of the U.S.-available Hibiki products carries a significantly more wood-driven (Mizunara especially) flavor than the 17 or the 12. Heres where to get it before its gone forever. Hibiki Harmony makes a fine highball. The Hibiki includes malt from Yamazaki, but it has more depth and balance. Made almost entirely of whisky that was aged in the golden era of the distillery: the 1960s. People often ask if Yamazaki 12 is discontinued. But it may sell out quickly. Expect to pay $2,000-plus if you ever see it on a shelf., Closed distillerieswhat can I saythey are all sad stories of the whisky industry. Demand is so high that bottles are scarce and prices start around $1400 US. This portion is aged mostly in American white oak and Spanish oak. And even though theres more Japanese Harmony in its place, it can still be hard to find. Now, instead of looking locally, youre searching for retailers nationally. Welcome to Brand Breakdown, a series of comprehensive yet easy-to-digest guides to your favorite companies, with insights and information you wont find on the average About page. But they temporarily discontinued Hakushu 12 in 2018 and have already brought it back. Its many-layered whiskies serve as an introductory course to Japanese whisky light-bodied, clean, rich in fruit and floral quality with varying degrees of spice. In the UK, Hibiki Harmony 70cl bottles currently sell from 70-100. Required fields are marked *. Im a huge fan of Hibiki whiskies, but have mixed feelings about the price of Hibiki Harmony. Steve is a 2015 inductee to the Whisky Magazine Hall of Fame. Hibiki 12: Where To Find It In The Philippines Its a good place to start trying Yamazaki, and one that, if you find yourself in Japan, wont break the bank. Please share them below. Learn how your comment data is processed. Compared to other categories of whisky, Japanese whiskies have shown the most price appreciation over the last decade. There are almost no bottles of Hibiki that contain an age statement nowadays. Updated September 18: Beam-Suntory representatives have confirmed the Hibiki 17 expression sold as a special release on Dekanta is standard Hibiki 17 whisky. The smooth flavor and amber-tinged color suggest older stocks are in the blend. And by early 2017, the retail price was an inflated $600-$800 US. And overall, whisky has faired well as an investment. Double strain the drink into a rocks glass filled with ice. In this drink, Hibiki Harmony makes the base whisky. The quality of Japanese whisky remained high. And if youre a whisky generalist, there are many other excellent whiskies available that are much more affordable than Hibiki Harmony. A Penicillin is a modern cocktail with a medicinal flavor. The demand for Hibiki 12 made it go extinct. This is good if youre having food with your whisky. Hibiki Japanese Harmony Whisky: The Ultimate Bottle Guide Japanese Harmony is complex and balanced. My guess is Hibiki 21 will continue to be in high demand. Heavy and rich savory cuisine is another combo to try. And theyre both about the same degree of collectible. Effectively the second Japanese whisky ever made, its light body and slightly spicy profile were built to mix into a highball and cut through the carbonation just enough. The 2019 Edition of Hibiki 17 is available for pre-order on Japanese whisky retailer Dekanta for a whopping $600, a $450 jump over the whiskys official $150 retail price. And the average retail price starts at around $100 pre-tax. The Hibiki goes in last. Its not a bad investment, but there are better options in my opinion. There again, no single malt whisky is replicable thats the point. But obviously, youre never going to find a 21-year Hibiki for that price. And retailers are charging an arm and a leg for the Hibiki 21 thats available. It's received significant fanfare since then. And the herbal, crisp Hakushu 12 adds a ton of complexity from only a small dose. Its somewhat aromatic with a nice mix of fruity and floral notes. The Hibiki 17-Year-Old, a famed Japanese whisky by Suntory that was featured in the 2003 movie Lost In Translation, will be officially discontinued. As an Amazon Associate, I earn commissions on qualifying purchases. It will still be some time before theyre caught up. Do your best to find the 1981 Feis Ile 2008 release, as it is the only official single cask to be released by this distillery! To this day, it remains one of the most well balanced Japanese whiskies ever created., This is a prime example of a very cool one-off,Ganapathi says. Now its close to the same price as Hibiki 21. *Source: Wayback Machine archives of wine-searcher.com. Five Japanese Whisky List - You Might Want Your Hands | dekant Sherry influence is notable, as is mizunara. Scanning Wine-Searcher, a few shops are charging $150. Hibiki 30 has more mizunara influence, a darker color, and more spice. Do you think its a good deal? It was truly crazy!. Dave Broom: You won't find a Scotch which exactly replicates Yamazaki 18 and before you ask, you won't find a Japanese one either! The finish has very little heat, as Harmony is only 43% ABV. Beyond that, he also serves as a spirits consultant to restaurantshelping them determine which top-shelf bottles to acquire and serve to discerning guests. Companies like Suntory, Nikka and others were forced to discontinue many of the prized expressions none more grieved by the whiskey-drinking community than Hibiki 17-Year-Old, Suntorys world-beating blended whisky. Level-up your sushi bar game! For example, limited-edition offerings from Suntory tend to appreciate rapidly. Each individual distillery is unique. Please drink responsibly. The Times named him Scotlands leading whisky expert in 2010. On the nose, there is a light smoke, accompanied by candied orange peel, vanilla and cinnamon. Thats why the mizunara portions of Hibiki Harmony are supposedly the oldest constituents in the blend. The malt whisky components come from the Yamazaki and Hakushu distilleries. To me, it's a reasonable question to ask. This Could Be Your Last Chance to Try One of Japan's - Gear Patrol You see, Nate is a true believera real collector who has somehow managed to get his hands on incredibly hard-to-find bottlings, from limited-releases to expressions from lost distilleries such as Brora and Port Ellen, and then some. Some American white oak is used, as well. This is likely to be the youngest component of the blend. Johnny Walker Blue only costs about $200 retail in the US. Demand is so high that bottles are scarce and prices start around $1400 US. As a blended whisky, Japanese Harmony uses a variety of base spirits. Second, add lots of ice to the cold glass. Two Japanese Whiskies Are Being Discontinued Due to a Shortage. So dont expect any ginger, sandalwood, or incense notes. Yamazaki is devoted to single malt production. The Joys of a Cheap American Military Watch, Ford Could Have a Wild New SUV Feature Coming, Get the Lawn of Your Dreams with This Spring Kit, Meet Living Vehicle's New 2024 HD Camping Trailer, These Are Our 10 Favorite Products of April, This Wild New Sleep System Might Be a Game Changer, Our J.Crew Favorites Are Deeply Discounted, These Are the Best Spring Patio Furniture Sales, The Best New Coffee Products, According to Experts, 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class: What You Need to Know, Huckberry & Timex Revived an Iconic '90s Watch, This Could Be Your Last Chance to Try One of Japans Most Famous Whiskies. In October of 2014, a 750 ml cost just $300*. Dalwhinnie doesnt have any Japanese mizunara oak, however. Would you mix it with Coke?#hibikiwhisky #japanesewhisky #bartenderlife #barhumor #japanesewhiskey. So much so that Suntory doesnt bother with an MSRP (in the US). While fans were saddened to see it go, the aged 17-, 21-, and 30-Year-Old bottlings remained to keep drinkers happy. The two industry giants, Suntory and Nikka, seriously cut back production to survive. Hibiki Harmony: Review, Price Compare, and Tasting Notes (2022) Satisfaction guaranteed or your money back. When United Distillers sold the Speyburn Distillery to Inver House, this bottle became discontinued immediately. Suntory Time: Hibiki Whisky Discontinued As Aged Japanese - Forbes Curiously, its still on Suntorys website. I write about wines and spirits and the hidden corners of the world, Tokyo 2012 (Photo by Jeremy Sutton-Hibbert/Getty Images), The Worlds Best Gins, According To The 2023 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, The Worlds Best Blended WhiskeyAccording To The 2023 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, Whisky Of The Week: Royal Ranthambores Indian Blend, The Worlds Best Vodkas, According To The 2023 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, 7 New Tequilas For A Cinco De Mayo Celebration, One Of The Most Valuable Whisky Collections Is Now Up For Auction, Winery Pays Top Dollar To Harvest Grapes, Making One Of The Greatest Wines In The World. What kind of beer is Suntory? But it doesnt end there: The man works with several whisky companies and hosts educational tastings for the likes for Google and Facebook in Californiain addition to Vice in New York City. And in 2018, Hibiki 17 and Hakushu 12 became the next marquee whiskies to get 86d. Suntory allocates a lot of its supply to restaurants and bars. A rare unopened bottle of Hibiki 21YR. Honey-dew melon, floral nose and rich viscous body makes for a relaxing dram in the backyard on an early summer evening. This is one reason for its elegance and unique perfume. Hibiki 21 is delicious on its own. SRP: $65Street Price: $65-$100Year Introduced: 2015Production: Ongoing. Most of this comes from Hakushu, with Yamazaki playing a supporting role. 94 / 100 from 3 Critic Reviews. For most of us, the best way to try it is at Yamazakis tasting room in Osaka. The fact that it is continuously reaching new highs in regards to price points, and that its quality has never ever wavered, people will be thrilled to be able to start collecting new bottlings from this formerly mothballed distillery once production starts again in 2020. And where can I get it? All three distilleries produce different flavor variations of whisky. Founded in 1899 by Shinjiro Torii, Suntory () started out as a wine shop, but soon turned into a wine producer when they released Akadama . Overall, the supply of this great blended whisky is good enough that it pays to shop around. Demand kept building. The 18-year-old is a sweet non-peated malt that has been matured primarily in American Oak vatted with a smaller portion of malt aged in European aged oak. This is often the best way to save money. This is roughly $246. Whisky nuts will tell you that this was the best time for the Islay distillery in terms of production value and its hard to disagree. I have never had a bad dram of Hakushu, and the meticulous Japanese way of creating anything would suggest that I probably never will. So if you like whisky with intensity, Harmony may be overvalued. Dont expect to find any floating around in the open though, as only 232 bottles were produced. Master Select has a lot more fruity Yamazaki malt and Sherry cask influence. The Hibiki 17-Year-Old, a famed Japanese whisky by Suntorythat was featured in the 2003 movie Lost In Translation, will be officially discontinued. The Council of Whiskey Masters is home to the leading whisky education and certification programs, opening a systematic career pathway for aspiring and established whisky professionals around the world.