Recently I asked several Advisory Board members at The Council of Whiskey Masters, a group that comprises some of the most respected whisky authorities in the world, for their suggestions of Scotch whiskies that offered aroma and taste profiles comparable to some of the most coveted Japanese whiskies. I am looking for the Suntory Hibiki 21 years Dekanta.. One: try out the new releases by big name breweries, such as Suntory's Toki or Hibiki Japanese . Demand is so high that bottles are scarce and prices start around $1400 US. Second, add lots of ice to the cold glass. But it wasnt until the groundbreaking creation of the Yamazaki Distillery () that Suntory really took off. Rumors also suggest that aged Japanese stock may start reappearing after the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. However, as whisky takes time to age, this new. Neat is a great way to enjoy the subtle but complex flavors of Harmony. The supply of Hibiki 21 is very limited. So if you really want some, make friends with an employee or get on a preorder list. Made exclusively for Taiwan and Japan, this can, from time to time, still be spotted in some local shops, and is a complete sherry bombGanapathi says. Suntory have run out of aged statement Japanese whisky so the whole world is stocking up preparing for the impending apocalypse. The result is an even more complex whisky than its 12 YO sibling. Earlier this week, Nikka told its Japanese suppliers that it will be suspending the sales of three more of its age-statement malt whiskies in March. One of the few Japanese whiskies that could fairly be described as oak-aggressive, the 25-year-old bottling packs a payload unlike its younger counterparts heavy wood tannin astringency, deep sweetness as all stages of tasting and a consistent sherry bite that cuts through all of it. Prices for both are similar. 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! A. Martin serves as the Chairman of the Council of Whiskey Masters Board for 2020. Like Hibiki. LAGAVULIN 1991 200TH ANNIVERSARY 25 YEAR OLD SINGLE CASK, A unique affair! Bottles are bought up no matter how high the retail markup. The Glendullan distillery has been a work horse for the DIAGEO blended scotches such as Johnnie Walker, until the release of the 12YO back in 2007 (I actually helped launch it in Chicago). The entries exceeded the bottle numbers by thousands, leaving many fans disappointed. But it is the replacement for the discontinued Hibiki 12. So it has been a great investment. And the grain whisky is made at Chita. And the bubbles from the soda will take care of the mixing. Marty Duffy: The Glendullan 18YO might fit the bill to fill the gap of the departure of the Hibiki 17YO. I got into this a few years ago. Beyond that, he also serves as a spirits consultant to restaurantshelping them determine which top-shelf bottles to acquire and serve to discerning guests. With each award both the price and demand for the Hibiki 21 has risen, making the 17 the last of the current Hibiki aged range that could be bought at a price that wouldn't break the bank. If youre looking for a total bargain, small independent liquor stores may be your best hope. Charles MacLean is the author of 17 books about Scotch, including Scotch Whisky: A Liquid History (which was nominated Best Wine & Spirits Book in the James Beard Awards 2005). They are used for malt whisky and add color and dried fruit notes. The idea that you can find Scotch whiskies that are comparable stylistically to Japanese whiskies is not so far fetched. Suntory and Nikka to discontinue more Japanese whiskies - Time Out Tokyo It depends on who you ask. Gear Patrol participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. And the third would be a Penicillin with Hakushu 18 floated on top. There are almost no bottles of Hibiki that contain an age statement nowadays. Being mostly corn-based and column distilled, this grain portion adds lightness, soft texture, and fruit to the blend. But From the Barrel is darker, stronger, and maltier. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. These all share some of the aroma and flavor components of Yoichi, which make it extremely attractive. But in 2018, Suntory announced it was discontinuing Hibiki 17, gradually. I am an advertiser for some of these stores and may earn a commission on qualifying purchases. Let's hope we don't see many other aged Japanese expressions fade away before the whisky in the barrels has come of age. And I recommend Hakushu 12 on top. If you've been into Japanese whisky for a while, you'll remember that it was somewhat easy to find. A golden dram. Suntory has done a good job meeting the high demand for its classic single malts. $95 is a great price. Toki is the US sibling to Suntory Kakubin. Is it worth the hype and high price tag? Steve is a 2015 inductee to the Whisky Magazine Hall of Fame. Sadly, this expression was discontinued by Suntory back in More info. Its just hard to stack up vs. the old 12 year. Blue cheese is especially delicious. According to Suntory's PR team, an extra $80 million will be invested this year to expand the Hakushu aging facilities. Hibiki 12: The Youngest Hibiki Is No Longe It is heartbreaking. But if you dont mind using a relatively hard-to-get whisky for your drink, its an awesome choice. But theyre both smooth and luxurious brands. The color print, which was limited to 3,690 bottles worldwide, has a vatting of multiple casks together, and starts at more than $2,800. And what caused this mess? Suntory single malt whisky Hakushu 12 Year returns after it was First, chill the Hibiki and the glass in the freezer. The updated packaging was the result of a rebrand that occurred last year. Hibiki Japanese Harmony Whisky: The Ultimate Bottle Guide Overall, it has a much oakier profile but is otherwise similar. Hibiki 30 has more mizunara influence, a darker color, and more spice. Then add a little more ice. Just a few weeks prior, I wrote on the. If you prefer sweeter syrup, use a 2:1 ratio of honey to water. 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. More on that below. Reply Josh PetersOctober 26, 2015 Again, this was discontinued and replaced by an older bottling: the 12 Year Old. Mr. Duffy lives in Illinois, where he teaches classes on Irish/Scotch history & production, and for eight years was the co-producer of the Chicago Independent Spirits Expo. Heres everything you need to know. Hibiki 12: Where To Find It In The Philippines Hibiki Whisky Discontinued As Supplies Run Dry From September 2018, insufficient maturation time will mean that the Hibiki 17 will soon be removed from the core range as supplies diminish. The latter whisky isnt necessarily better. This is expected to change now that Suntory has decided to stop producing the expression, amidst shortages of aged stock. Hibiki 12 was discontinued in 2015, as were many aged Yoichis and Miyagikyos, among other releases. Why was Hibiki discontinued? 70cl, 43%. Yamazaki 18 is more powerfully fruity and has a velvety texture. Hibiki Harmony is lighter, more floral, and exotic. Some of this may be destined for low-level blends, some however, seems destined to reappear on the world market as Japanese whisky.. The famous green monster (the label, that is). Charles MacLean: The flavour profile and texture of Hibiki 17 is not unlike Loch Lomond Single Grain Scotch: Fruity top notes fresh apples and pears; citric lemons, oranges and pineapple give way to butterscotch and black pepper on a biscuit base. Another value win for the regular Hibiki Harmony. It easily outperformed gold and many other investment classes. So finding that great deal will take time and may not be worth it. Casks of whisky at a storehouse of Suntory Liquors' Hakushu distillery in Hokuto City, Yamanashi [+] prefecture. And there are also a few Scotch whiskies worth considering too. The finish is long, with a hint of smoke and a briny note. Its an award-winner with a price tag of around $400-$500. So its nice to see this bottle appreciated for what it truly isa work of art. The finish is long, sweet and fruity. He is based in San Francisco, California. Its price means it the perfect bulk buy, and its story makes it an ideal travel gift. Glencairn is an excellent glass for tasting Hibiki whisky. Two Japanese Whiskies Are Being Discontinued Due to a Shortage. For Westerners, this lends it a slightly more familiar flavor at least initially. Cheese can be another great match. 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. In this case, its a significant portion of time spent aging in ex-plum liqueur barrels, a practice other Hibiki bottles dont include. I cant believe how quickly those days have disappeared,Ganapathi says. Hibiki 21 has become incredibly hard to get, the price has skyrocketed, and Suntory has cut several famous whiskies from its lineup. Again, this was discontinued and replaced by an older bottling: the 12 Year Old. So I approached him to curate his top picks of rare whiskies that are worth hunting downbecause exceptional bottlings are always worth the quest and who better to turn to than someone who actually does this for a living? Please share them below. Suntory released Hibiki 21 and Hibiki 17 Year (semi-discontinued) in 1989. The short answer is no, Hibiki 21 is not discontinued. Representatives for Beam-Suntory could not confirm whether the final offering of Hibiki 17 would be available in regular retail locations before publishing. Now, instead of looking locally, youre searching for retailers nationally. Since 2013, Suntory has invested over $182 million into ramping up production. But it can also make a good match with several dishes. Most of this comes from Hakushu, with Yamazaki playing a supporting role. A lot of people are asking this question. Learn more about Suntory whisky with this full-length guide. But if youre striking out on finding a bottle, youre not alone. A pour of the world-renowned Japanese blend, Hibiki 17. You may opt-out by. And this results in a complex tasting tour de force. Johnny Walker Blue only costs about $200 retail in the US. Its hard not to like. This is good if youre having food with your whisky. There arent many whiskies that stack up against Hibiki. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. So dont expect any ginger, sandalwood, or incense notes. While fans were saddened to see it go, the aged 17-, 21-, and 30-Year-Old bottlings remained to keep drinkers happy. Required fields are marked *. It's unclear whether the whisky in the 2019 edition is any different than the standard Hibiki 17, but it does come with updated, more premium packaging. The demand for Hibiki 12 made it go extinct. But using Hibiki Harmony is a delicious alternative. Hibiki Japanese Harmony Whisky Price & Reviews | Drizly Five Japanese Whisky List - You Might Want Your Hands | dekant Hibiki 12-year was a limited edition release, and can be found from private collection sales and select liquor resale retailers. Suntory Japanese Whisky: Important Brands and Bottles Explained Japanese Distilleries Discontinue Premium Whiskies Due to Overwhelming This post breaks down why this Suntory whisky is special. Your email address will not be published. Some are rich and powerful others are light, aromatic, and clean. This boozy and old-school cocktail is simply sugar, bitters, and whisky. New York Restaurants April 2023: Where To GoOr Not, New York Restaurants February 2023: Where To Go, The Forbes 2022 All-Star Eateries In New York, New York Restaurants October 2022: Where To Go, New York Restaurants August 2022: Where To Go, New York Restaurants June 2022: Where To Go, New York Eateries April 2022: Where To Go, New York Restaurants February 2022: Where To Go. But many fake Japanese whiskies are in the same price bracket. Now, TUN 1509 has taken its place and has a capacity of four times what 1401 did. 4.5 from 59 User Ratings. While some people may prefer sherry casks over bourbon casks, I think that this speaks volumes to the creativity going on here amongst whisky makers in todays world,Ganapathi says. All three distilleries produce different flavor variations of whisky. To me, it's a reasonable question to ask. Lost in Translation was a big hit. Hibiki whiskies have a distinctive flavor, but that doesnt mean they dont have competition. And you can also think of it as a baby Hibiki. Suntory. This means that Harmony is younger overall. Dominic Roskrow: How about Glenlivet 15YO French Oak Reserve: strong fruity and oaky notes. He resides in The Netherlands and in South Carolina. The change is slow, but drinkers are no longer associating young age with inferior quality. And many famous distilleries closed shop due to poor demand. Its fresh herbal notes become dried herbal notes and the citrus is replaced with a big, ripe sweetness. And by early 2017, the retail price was an inflated $600-$800 US. And at more than 82,000 followers, one could say that hes getting a helluva great start. It has since been replaced by the 12 Year Old. 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. In 2018, Beam Suntory recently discontinued its most famous expressions, namely, Hibiki 17-year-old and Hakusha 12-year-old. How much ? And neither is better than the other. And it also focuses on pricing and where to buy Hibiki Harmony. Some markets are more expensive than others. There are some companies exploiting the lack of legislation around Japanese whisky, and greater transparency is needed, but it would be wrong to infer that all the Japanese whisky which is exported is in some way 'tainted'. Hibiki is a blend of single malt pot still whisky, both peated and unpeated, and column still produced grain whisky. It includes some ice, as well. Regardless of its value, theres no doubt it is one delicious Japanese whisky. But prices range from reasonable to mega-gouge. And the answer is no. From Hibiki to highball whisky, heres everything you need to know about Suntory, Japans most prolific whisky makers. However, these are also the kind of places that may price Hibiki Harmony for an absurdly high price. People often ask if Yamazaki 12 is discontinued. Hibiki 21-year is a highly collectible whisky. It was truly crazy!. Learn how your comment data is processed. Martin Duffy is the North American Brand Representative for Glencairn Crystal and is one of the best-connected professionals in the whiskey industry, with past affiliations at Diageo, Bacardi and LVMH. Foods like barbeque, grilled steak, and lamb can be a great combo with Hibiki. Your email address will not be published. Cheers! What. Hibiki Harmony is well-suited for making cocktails. Some of the liquid that ends up being bottled as Japanese whisky originates in Scotland. And now it is fetching as much as $3,100 two years later! However, if you happen to stumble into a store in Asia that has this, it should cost you no more than $250.. Check it out today! Overall, the supply of this great blended whisky is good enough that it pays to shop around. And do this before you add the whisky. Hibiki Harmony has a color between copper and amber. . So they made what has since become the most popular whisky Japan: Suntory Kakubin. Such a choral piece. And though a few retailers sell it for the same price, most charge 25-400% more. Since spirit aged for less than three years is not legally considered Scotch, those numbers are in addition to official Scotch whisky exports tracked by the SWA. Hibiki whiskies blends whiskies from three Suntory distilleries: Yamazaki, Hakushu, and Chita. Made almost entirely of whisky that was aged in the golden era of the distillery: the 1960s. A Penicillin is a modern cocktail with a medicinal flavor. In the US, Japanese Harmony comes in a 750ml bottle. And the average retail price starts at around $100 pre-tax. As with Hibiki 17 and up, the Mizunara cask impact is greater than on the 18 than the 12, with loads of sandalwood that stay with you from nosing to the finish. Think of Bowmores legendary No. Online retailers are also the best option if you want to find a bottle fast. Satisfaction guaranteed or your money back. 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. Consuming alcohol can be bad for your health. Check out my thorough breakdown of the Japanese whisky highball to learn more about this iconic Japanese cocktail. This contrasts with the Yamazaki () malt portion. Its the only of the companys whiskies that contains parts from every distillery, every wood type and every barrel in its repertoire. As with most of Suntorys elite whiskies, Hibiki 21 is now rare due to overwhelming demand. The closest comparison to Nikka Coffey Grain is Suntory Chita Single Grain, which is also a component of Hibiki. Even if they are not a perfect match, they will certainly be easier to find and considerably cheaper. Though aged stock is lessening, the major Japanesewhisky maker is optimistic about the categorys growth in the future, and will not make the mistake of running out of stock again. If youre really into authentic Japanese whisky, Hibiki Harmony isnt a bad deal. Hibiki 21 might be the most famous Japanese whisky. Express an orange twist over the drink, and use it as a garnish with a cherry. 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. And obviously, it is comprised of much older whisky stocks. Japan does hold a close place in my heart because of my Japanese roots and cultural background. Its a smooth blended Scotch with a pronounced kick of Japanese oak flavors. Where is the Hibiki Distillery? But Hibiki Harmony has a gingery, incensed, and fruity flavor that works. Suntory pulled the plug on the 12 years aged Hibiki in 2015 and released Japanese Harmony in its place. But I think that Harmony is a blend of 5-20 year-aged whiskies, averaging less than ten years. Hibiki 17 is a gorgeous blended whisky. Its creamy, semi-sweet, and very smooth. The followup is a swell of barrel-derived flavor compounds picked up from six more years in casks: vanilla, coconut, butterscotch, toffee and so on. Dave is a Master of the Quaich, a Kentucky Colonel, and was voted 2013 Communicator of the Year at the International Wine and Spirits Competition. The risk of investing in this prestigious Japanese whisky is that Suntory will eventually meet the demand. The 18-year-old expression nails the same profile as the 12-year-old, but the order is reversed. Many Japanese whiskies come relatively close. This single cask, bottled exclusively for the famed La Maison Du Whisky in Paris, is so very good and can still somehow be found for around $100if you look hard enough. Those are included in this guide, as they remain available in limited quantities in and outside of Japan. It will still be some time before theyre caught up. But finding a bottle is another matter. Required fields are marked *. It depends on where you live. They are similar in having a creamy texture. Compared to other categories of whisky, Japanese whiskies have shown the most price appreciation over the last decade. True, as Dave Broom, points out, each whisky is the product of a unique production and maturation process. But then, the account took on a life of its own and I was getting 500 to 600 followers a day. This whisky is produced by Suntory in the Hakushu distillery, nicknamed the mountain forest distillery, in the foothills of Mt. But make sure to factor in the cost of shipping. If youre interested in Japanese whisky history, check out this article. Hibiki 30 is a rare and remarkable Japanese whisky. So to supply a thirsty market, several iconic labels were cut. Is Hibiki 12-Year discontinued? Pour it over ice for best results. So they dont taste the same side by side. Yes. If youve been into Japanese whisky for a while, youll remember that it was somewhat easy to find. However, the Hibiki Harmony is not the same as the Hibiki 12. Starting from September 2018 the Hibiki 17 will gradually be removed from the core range, and production will stop. . A Japanese whisky highball is a relatively diluted drink. Thats not to say Harmony is a bad whisky. Suntory announced it will stop selling Hakushu 12 Year and Hibiki 17 Year in 2018 and there are no plans to bring them back in . 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! Both are priced similarly and are excellent Japanese blended whiskies. The peat is still there, but shows up more on first tasting than it does near the end of a glass. Please drink responsibly. The bulk of Hibiki comes from the Chita Distillery () in Aichi. I love Old Fashioneds made with Hibiki Harmony. At least, according to Reddit. Prices for top-ranked Japanese whiskies, like the Yamazaki 12, have increased 10-fold over the last 20 years. But its smooth and food-friendly. Most large liquor stores will attempt to stock Harmony. So dig hard!, One of the best to ever come out of the island of Islay, this incredible distillery has been sorely missed! I've got a problem. Suntory - Hibiki Blender's Choice I reported the release of the Hibiki Blender's Choice by Suntory several months ago, before its launch in Japan on September 4 th. On the palate, there is more candied orange zest, along with dried fruit, milk chocolate and spice notes of cinnamon, nutmeg accompanied by a ginger pepperiness. SRP: $250Street Price: $400-$600Year Introduced: 1994Production: Ongoing. Malt's Pilsner Beer Suntory The Premium Malt's . SRP: Not Available in the USYear Introduced: 2014Production: Ongoing. And you should expect to pay a premium. 94 / 100 from 3 Critic Reviews. A large ice cube will yield a cold whisky with only modest dilution. Just a few weeks prior, I wrote on the addition of the premium blend on the Japan Airlines in-flight menu, but as usual, things change quicker than expected in an industry based around time and aging. What size are Hibiki whiskies available in? Its also mellow and smooth. Its the whisky Bill Murray drank in Lost in Translation that got the retail crowd excited about Japanese whisky. Its a good place to start trying Yamazaki, and one that, if you find yourself in Japan, wont break the bank. Its somewhat aromatic with a nice mix of fruity and floral notes. A 750ml of Hibiki 30 costs about $9-$11K per bottle. Hibiki Harmony is enjoyable in many different ways. So if you like whisky with intensity, Harmony may be overvalued. Its unavailable in U.S. stores, though you could buy this online from a number of sites, but prices are far exaggerated from Kakubins status as a convenience store whisky in its home country. Gear Patrol participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. Its unlikely. But they did not lower the price. Get it from my Etsy store for only $23 plus shipping. A creamy, full-bodied mouth-feel and a sweet over all taste fronted by vanilla and coconut, developing into baked apple and custard and finishing with a pinch of nutmeg and cloves. Hibiki 17 is among the most-awarded Japnaese whiskies ever. I recommend a splash of water or a single small cube of ice. Very sad to see this one go. What the team has done in Louisville, Kentucky, is nothing short of astounding, producing some of the best and most sought after American juice the world has ever seen,Ganapathi says. Updated September 18: Beam-Suntory representatives have confirmed the Hibiki 17 expression sold as a special release on Dekanta is standard Hibiki 17 whisky. SRP: Not Available in the USYear Introduced: 1937Production: Ongoing. Check it out today! Here, Nate lists his top 20 picks. Get it from my Etsy store starting at $28.55 plus shipping. This has created a scarcity of the Suntory Hibiki whiskey, pushing prices up, making it very expensive. And that should be expected from a whisky that averages around $900+ per bottle. And while no rye has ever commanded $2,500 to $3,500 like this one, I can see this discontinued jewel continuing its meteoric rise., While I am a tremendous fan of the now-famed Suntory Yamazaki whiskies, its safe to say that I am an even bigger fan of its other distillery, Hakushu,Ganapathi says. Suntory refers to these as Heavy Type, Medium Type, and Light Type. Dominic Roskrow has been a professional writer since 1982, and has been editing drinks magazines for nearly 30 years. Im officially 34 now and I would say the obsession started at 29, so Im definitely a late bloomer compared to how early others are starting out these days. The taste is closer to Harmony than expected, but is noticeably less watery rolling around the mouth and its apparent theres a different variable at play. Hibiki 21 Year Old Blended Whisky | prices, stores, tasting notes How much? The list of discontinued classic Japanese whiskies is long. Current prices would suggest youd be paying no less than $4,500 for this beauty. Its received significant fanfare since then.
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