An extremely highly-revered bottle from Nikkas first (Ichi means no. Hans Offringa: Similar to this Hakushu, to me Aberfeldy has a slightly perfumy note, a tad incense-like, as one can detect in many Japanese whiskies. But 21 isnt what one would call overoaked Hibikis trademark floral acidity cuts through the richness. He has written 16 books, the majority about whisky. Level-up your sushi bar game! Its creamy, semi-sweet, and very smooth. But Nates list is an excellent cross section of what a good spirits collector would want stocked in the liquor cabinetsome Speysides, some Islays, some Japanese Scotches, and a good Kentucky rye: I used to gravitate mainly towards Speyside Scotches. The Hibiki 21 Mt Fuji Edition is the same whisky with a different label. This has created a scarcity of the Suntory Hibiki whiskey, pushing prices up, making it very expensive. I am an advertiser for some of these stores and may earn a commission on qualifying purchases. Hibiki 17 is among the most-awarded Japnaese whiskies ever. In 2017, Japan produced 132 million liters of whisky and imported well over 10 million liters of either whisky or its equivalent, both aged and partially aged, from Scotland. Check it out and follow me to find more educational content. Supply and Demand Gone Crazy The supply of Hibiki 21 is very limited. No one would recommend it for sipping neat or on the rocks, but its a perfectly capable highball whisky, especially if you prefer more passive flavor profiles. And it released Hibiki Japanese Harmony to replace the 12-year. And its easily among the worlds most famous blended whiskies. And I recommend Hakushu 12 on top. Hibiki. Its light, punchy and floral, the baseline for all Japanese whiskies to come. Youll notice a pattern with Suntorys most recent whisky releases: no age statements. Suntory. But it can also make a good match with several dishes. He is based in San Francisco, California. 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. Hibiki 30). Lost in Translation was a big hit. Is Hibiki 12-Year discontinued? 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. And now it is fetching as much as $3,100 two years later! Hibiki Harmony has a color between copper and amber. Dont forget the almonds or quince either. Its designed for very peaty Scotch whiskies. 1 in Japanese) distillery, this bottle delivers beyond the incredibly lofty expectations of typical Japanese whisky. And it will teach you how to become a savvy buyer of Hibiki 21. 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. He has several decades of dedication to whisky. Rather than bemoan the losses of these discontinued/suspended varieties, here's what you can do. Consuming alcohol can be bad for your health. And some shady retailers are charging a lot more. Hibiki Whisky - Latest Prices and Buying Guide - TheSwissPub.com Seriously, what is comparable to Hibiki Harmony, that is actually This whisky is produced by Suntory in the Hakushu distillery, nicknamed the mountain forest distillery, in the foothills of Mt. And the Japanese oak is famed for needing many years before it will yield smooth, complex whisky. If you love this whisky, check out my Hibiki 21 review. Japanese Distilleries Discontinue Premium Whiskies Due to Overwhelming 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. Creme brulee, chocolate cake, and apple pie are just a few worth trying. Hibiki whisky was launched in 1989, in order to commemorate Suntory's 90th anniversary. At least, according to Reddit. Whereas, the Yamazaki is a malt whisky. The distillery has an impressive library of whiskies . 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). Let's hope we don't see many other aged Japanese expressions fade away before the whisky in the barrels has come of age. The quality of Japanese whisky remained high. 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. It also uses many barrel types for aging but focuses on Sherry casks and ex-Bourbon barrels. Your email address will not be published. It's received significant fanfare since then. Ever since this whiskey was discontinued, it has become one of the worlds hottest investments. Satisfaction guaranteed or your money back. 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. And the herbal, crisp Hakushu 12 adds a ton of complexity from only a small dose. By the way, all of these gems are of cask strength., With the Fine Oak range pretty much all but discontinued now, this was a bottle for the ages,Ganapathi notes. Hibiki 12 was discontinued in 2015, as were many aged Yoichis and Miyagikyos, among other releases. This expression is the exact same base spirit as 12, just six years older. And neither is better than the other. A golden dram. They are used for malt whisky and add color and dried fruit notes. Some American white oak is used, as well. Dominic Roskrow has been a professional writer since 1982, and has been editing drinks magazines for nearly 30 years. Suntory Is Discontinuing Hakushu 12 and Hibiki 17 Due to - Thrillist 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. But prices range from reasonable to mega-gouge. Hibiki 21 has survived the cull, and its likely Suntory has prioritized keeping it alive. Hibiki 12 Years Old - No Box | Japanese Blended Whisky - dekant The last time I bought Hibiki 12 (about eight years ago), it was $60. 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 last core product to discontinue was the Hibiki 12. And retailers are charging an arm and a leg for the Hibiki 21 thats available. The distillery, built in 1934, was located there because of the regions similarity to Scotland. Hibiki - Master of Malt So be patient and dont overpay. Kai-Komagatake. Expect to pay north of $2,500 a bottle. And if youre a whisky generalist, there are many other excellent whiskies available that are much more affordable than Hibiki Harmony. Top-end whiskies like Yamazaki 25, Hibiki 30, and Hakushu 25 are available for around $30 (per 0.5 oz. The retail price is whatever someone is willing to pay. Suntory decided to get rid of Hibiki 12 and 17 instead. And many enthusiasts are right to ask: is Hibiki 21 discontinued too? Just because Hibiki Japanese Harmony replaced Hibiki 12-year doesnt mean theyre the same whisky. Depending on the batch, finding this on the market will run you easily $700 to $800 minimum for a bottle, and sometimes even upwards of $2000. Now its close to the same price as Hibiki 21. Chita grain whisky components are mostly aged in Spanish oak and plum wine casks. Consuming alcohol can be bad for your health. The famous green monster (the label, that is). And because cash flow is important at these stores, they usually dont price gouge. Hibiki 21 is delicious on its own. There are many Japanese whiskies which are 100% from the country. Dont despair. Check them out on Amazon below. This Could Be Your Last Chance to Try One of Japan's - Gear Patrol Very few ceramic bottles obtain legendary status (case in point: Hibiki 30). Yamazaki whisky isnt as distinctive as Hakushu and it isnt as poetic as Hibiki, but its an idealistic interpretation of what Japanese whisky is and should be. SRP: Not Available in the USYear Introduced: 1937Production: Ongoing. 4 Facts You Should Know About The Japanese Whisky Crisis - Forbes Learn how your comment data is processed. Finally, there is a price comparison section where you can shop around and buy Harmony at the best price. On the nose, there is a light smoke, accompanied by candied orange peel, vanilla and cinnamon. An event triggered by soaring reviews and awards in the early 2000s, the categorys popularity that put producers on their heels and unable to keep up with demand. Sherry casks are a minor component of the Japanese Harmony blend. US prices start around $300, with some places charging close to double. 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. This makes it easier to find Hibiki Harmony. Specific notes include rose, orange and lemon peels, green apple, lychee, sandalwood, eucalyptus, and mint. The supply of Hibiki 21 is very limited. But it isnt powerful or rich. However, the Hibiki Harmony is not the same as the Hibiki 12. I am drawn to a Highland Park 12-Year-Old,a Caol Ila 18-Year-Old or,for the adventurous, the Caol Ila Distillers Edition. Demand for Japanese whisky was poor. Yamazaki. 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. The entries exceeded the bottle numbers by thousands, leaving many fans disappointed. Glad their whiskies are finally available in the US. I've got a problem. Suntory Toki is a blended whisky using Chita grain and malt from Yamazaki and Hakushu. On the nose, its floral and fruity, with aromas of rose petal, peach, dried apricot, melon and lemon zest. Hibiki 21 Year Old Blended Whisky. But it may sell out quickly. So it makes the 21-year look affordable. On the retail side, Hibiki 21 will likely cost US $1300 minimum for a 750ml bottle. To make a Suntory Penicillin, start by muddling fresh ginger in a shaker pint. Its not a bad investment, but there are better options in my opinion. But Hibiki Harmony has a gingery, incensed, and fruity flavor that works. The 18-year-old expression nails the same profile as the 12-year-old, but the order is reversed. True, as Dave Broom, points out, each whisky is the product of a unique production and maturation process. 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. . We hope you enjoy the new release, Harmony. And overall, whisky has faired well as an investment. *Source: Wayback Machine archives of wine-searcher.com. Steve Beal, Sr. Master of Whisky and Keeper of the Quaich, is an industry-recognized distilled spirits consultant, international wine and spirits judge, and former brand ambassador for some of the worlds most respected brands. And many distilleries closed. Nikka From the Barrel is the Lex Luthor to Harmonys Super Man. And though a few retailers sell it for the same price, most charge 25-400% more. All of these are from Suntory and its various distilleries. So dont expect any ginger, sandalwood, or incense notes. Hibiki 12-year was a limited edition release, and can be found from private collection sales and select liquor resale retailers. Overall, the supply of this great blended whisky is good enough that it pays to shop around. The short answer is no, Hibiki 21 is not discontinued. 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. A 750ml of Hibiki 30 costs about $9-$11K per bottle. It was truly crazy!. Hibiki 30 is a rare and remarkable Japanese whisky. And by early 2017, the retail price was an inflated $600-$800 US. Like Hibiki. Miyagikyo You can tell Nikka is busy when they discontinue their entire lineup. Online retailers are also the best option if you want to find a bottle fast. But it's a reasonable question to ask. a Vancouver-based whisky specialist who has turned his Instagram account, Single Malt Daily, into one of the most influential spirits-based platforms. Can't Find Your Favorite Japanese Whiskies? Experts - Forbes How much ? Cant find your favorite Japanese whisky? Hibiki 30 has more mizunara influence, a darker color, and more spice. At around $1,200 (if you can find it) this is probably one of the best deals!, ICHIROS MALT HANYU JOKER CARD (REGULAR AND MONOCHROMATIC), The last in the collection of 54 playing cards from the now defunct and extremely famous Hanyu Distillery, located in the town of the same name. In October of 2015, the price averaged $500-$600. Toki is made for cocktails and isnt designed to compete with Hibiki Harmony. 3 Reviews. The Hibiki () blended whisky series was released in 1989 in a 17 Year and 21 Year Aged forms. . Hibiki 21 is known for its bouquet, impeccable balance, and smooth nature. He is a Keeper of the Quaich and a Kentucky Colonel. So much so that Suntory doesnt bother with an MSRP (in the US). Meanwhile, rival Nikka pruned all of its age statement whiskies. The vast bulk of it will be, as it has been since the 1960s, for low-end domestic blends. This is also why Hibiki 12 and 17 got 86d. But using Hibiki Harmony is a delicious alternative. Look to pay about 1.5 times the initial price of around $1,700 to $2,000. But Hibiki 17 has way more depth. Suntory has done a good job meeting the high demand for its classic single malts. Hibiki is a blended whisky featuring malt and grain components. Avg Price (ex-tax) $ 1,333 / 750ml. The list of discontinued classic Japanese whiskies is long. Hibiki 21 Year Review, Price, and Tasting Notes (2022) - The Japanese Bar Current prices would suggest youd be paying no less than $4,500 for this beauty. Now, TUN 1509 has taken its place and has a capacity of four times what 1401 did. In addition, over 80% of all Scottish whisky exports under three years of age go to Japan. Required fields are marked *. But below are some that are often compared. According to Suntory's PR team, an extra $80 million will be invested this year to expand the Hakushu aging facilities. Harmony carries no age statement. That's a great deal! Which makes sense, of course Shinjiro Toriis company, founded in 1923, is Japans first and most popular whisky maker. 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. These all share some of the aroma and flavor components of Yoichi, which make it extremely attractive. I've got a problem. A diverse blend of cask types is used for aging. Japan. Think of Kakubin as Japans Jim Beam White Label its cheap, available everywhere and just good enough to mix with soda for a decent drink. Hunt them down if you can. Tasting Chita also serves as an education tool for those aiming to understand the building blocks of Japanese whisky, as its presence is easy to miss in Hibiki and Toki bottlings. Japanese whiskys status as the most sought-after, hard-to-find whiskey in the world is new. And you should expect to pay a premium. Demand is so high that bottles are scarce and prices start around $1400 US. There are fruit notes of peach and citrus and a hint of tropical fruits. Such a choral piece. The result has been skyrocketing prices and acute shortages. Hibiki 12 years Review - The Whiskey Jug Furthermore, for at least a decade, Suntory has increased production. But if youre striking out on finding a bottle, youre not alone. The Yamazaki 18 YO is widely considered Suntorys standard bearer. In this case, that means a spirit with a weighty body, heavy coconut and sandalwood aroma and a balanced sweet- and spice-driven taste profile. Some of the liquid that ends up being bottled as Japanese whisky originates in Scotland. When a Westerner thinks of Japanese whisky, they think of names under the House of Suntory. The Hibiki 21-Year-Old is by far the most globally renowned expression in the portfolio, having received the award for the "Worlds Best Blended Whisky" on five separate occasions, at the World Whiskies Awards. 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. The Yamazaki 12 Year Old Whisky: Price & Review (2023) - The Japanese Bar American white oak-aged malt whisky is the backbone. This means that Harmony is younger overall. The peat comes through most on the nose and finish, where it amounts to a background profile flavor. Satisfaction guaranteed or your money back. In the glass, Hibiki 21 is dark, fruity, and a bit oily. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. The mixture is finished with trace amounts of Yamazaki aged in American oak and Spanish sherry casks. 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. Suntory often refers to these as Heavy Type, Medium Type, and Light Type. Made exclusively for the esteemed Peninsula Hotel in Tokyo, this is perhaps the most underrated whisky on this list. As an Amazon Associate, I earn commissions on qualifying purchases. And one other thing: DO NOT MIX! 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. Yamazaki 18 is more powerfully fruity and has a velvety texture. According to Dave Broom, in 2017, there were: 27 Japanese firms importing bulk Scotch. For Westerners, this lends it a slightly more familiar flavor at least initially. 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. Then add the whisky, lemon juice, and honey syrup. Satisfaction guaranteed or your money back. This led to a limited number of bottles and crazy price increases. However, the Hibiki Harmony is not the same as the Hibiki 12. 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. Reply Josh PetersOctober 26, 2015 Hi Al nara! This first bottling was mainly first-fill sherry casks and weighs in at 43% ABV, whereas the current bottling is fully bourbon barrel matured, and weighs in at a an impressive 53.5% ABV! Yamazaki adds deeper fruit, a silky texture, spice, and some backbone. What. It has been instrumental in pushing the premium blended category across the world, educating drinkers, and changing the misconceived idea that blends are inferior to single malts. The value is quickly rising on old versus new, not just at this distillery but in general throughout the entire industry, so look to pay upwards of $2,000 to find this., This was a case of a mixture of rarity, nostalgia, and the greatest setting to drink such an incredible whisky, which makes it my all-time favorite,Ganapathi says. Hibiki 21 might be the most famous Japanese whisky. Hakushu. On the nose, there is vanilla and red fruits, along with apricot jam, dried fruit and marmalade. Hibiki Harmony makes a fine highball. But finding a bottle is another matter. If you prefer sweeter syrup, use a 2:1 ratio of honey to water. I enjoy the majority of what Laphroaig puts out. Chita grain whisky provides a smooth core, while Hakushu and Yamazaki add balance and layers. Its unlikely. Many desserts pair beautifully with Hibiki. The most luxe of Suntorys whisky holdings also happens to be its most Japanese. But its not rich or powerful either. Both whiskies are only lightly peated with notes of heather. Bottles of award-winning Japanese Suntory Hibiki blended whisky, on display at the 'Whisky Live [+] Tokyo 2012 (Photo by Jeremy Sutton-Hibbert/Getty Images). 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. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. The maturation features a larger proportion of Spanish and Japanese oak. I write about travel and food. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. With a limited run of 493 bottles, this was made exclusively for the Japanese airline All Nippon Airways (ANA). Hibiki Harmony is enjoyable in many different ways. The Japanese whisky community is pretty opinionated. Pursuant to SWA rules, only blended Scotch can be exported in bulk. Its also three- to five-times the price. As mentioned earlier, Japanese whisky has gone from boom to bust before. Editors Note: Suntory has recently discontinued many of its expressions, citing the growing popularity of Japanese whisky and general stock shortages. Suntory and Nikka to discontinue more Japanese whiskies - Time Out Tokyo In 2018, Suntory announced it was discontinuing its popular Hibiki 17-year-old bottling due to a lack of sufficiently aged spirit (although that discontinuation does not appear to have actually happened). $95 is a great price. Every product is carefully selected by our editors. Unless youre rich and bored, and you just dont care anymore. Can you find something in the same flavour world? 70cl, 43%. If you are going to spend $95 for a Hibiki Harmony, try Fuji single grain, it is very good. The focus is on aged expressions which, according to many online retailers and stores in Japan, sell out immediately afterbeing placed on the shelves, both real and virtual. What kind of beer is Suntory? The good news is Suntory has ramped up production. Within the Hibiki line, only Japanese Harmony (the sole non-age statement Hibiki expression) remains at or near its listed retail price in the U.S. Its a composite of Chita grain whisky and Yamazaki and Hakushu single malt whiskies, and though Suntory discloses no age information for the whiskies in the Harmony blend, its likely younger than the other offerings under the Hibiki umbrella. 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? So it's nice to see this bottle appreciated for what it truly isa work of art. On the nose and palate, 12 is bursting with Hakushus rich terroir pine, mint, grass, chamomile, rosemary and lemon.

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