We hope you enjoy the new release, Harmony. Now its close to the same price as Hibiki 21. Wholesale prices across the US are not the same. 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. As an Amazon Associate, I earn commissions on qualifying purchases. 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. The discontinuation of Hibiki 17 was perhaps the biggest Japanese whisky news of 2018, and for good reason. Long before whisky walls were a ticket to social media followers, Japanese whisky wasnt that popular. How much ? The 18-year-old channels the 12-year-old bottles freshness, and goes deeper. You may opt-out by. 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. I got into this a few years ago. Would you mix it with Coke?#hibikiwhisky #japanesewhisky #bartenderlife #barhumor #japanesewhiskey. If youve been into Japanese whisky for a while, youll remember that it was somewhat easy to find. The finish is long, with a hint of smoke and a briny note. Just a few weeks prior, I wrote on the. We also fascinate the taste buds in Japan and the Asian market with our Premium Malt's beer. In 2017, Suntory officially discontinued Hibiki 17. On the nose and palate, 12 is bursting with Hakushus rich terroir pine, mint, grass, chamomile, rosemary and lemon. Think Highland Park. Chita grain whisky provides a smooth core, while Hakushu and Yamazaki add balance and layers. Hibiki 21-year is a highly collectible whisky. So click here to get the answer to learn if Suntory discontinued Hibiki 21. Dalwhinnie doesnt have any Japanese mizunara oak, however. Then top with a float of Hakushu 12. The same goes for local shops. (1110176) The Dream of a Butterfly, https://www.wine-searcher.com/find/hibiki+twenty+one+old+blend+whisky+japan/0/usa, Oh, no! There are almost no bottles of Hibiki that contain an age statement nowadays. 4.5 from 59 User Ratings. Two years ago it was $65 a bottle and limit 2 per customer. Hans Offringa is the author of more than 20 books about whisky, among which the bestseller A Field Guide to Whisky, and has been contributing editor of Whisky Magazine and American Whiskey for a number of years. 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. Some of my favorite people in the industry are so young and so in tune to the world of whisky, Nate says. Its somewhat aromatic with a nice mix of fruity and floral notes. 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. Thats not to say Harmony is a bad whisky. But below are some that are often compared. In October of 2015, the price averaged $500-$600. In 2015, Suntory decided to bottle a single grain variant to sell in Japan (it hasnt made it to the States yet). So to supply a thirsty market, several iconic labels were cut. Hibiki 12 was discontinued in 2015, as were many aged Yoichis and Miyagikyos, among other releases. SRP: $85Street Price: $125-$200Year Introduced: 1984Production: Ongoing. Some of this may be destined for low-level blends, some however, seems destined to reappear on the world market as Japanese whisky.. Im an affiliate advertiser for some of these companies and may earn a commission on qualifying purchases. Suntory wont say much about the ages of the component whiskies. May 14, 2018 | By Jonathan Ho Online retailers are also the best option if you want to find a bottle fast. Absolute victory for you if you owned this before all the commotion. NAS stands for non-age statement or no age statement. 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. There are significant differences in the production and maturation protocols between Japanese and Scotch whisky. . This is often the best way to save money. Large retail stores (in major cities) like Costco, Binnys, BevMo!, and Total Wine will sometimes have a bottle in stock. This is a peated whisky matured in a combination of ex-bourbon and sherry casks. 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). Some markets are more expensive than others. So its ideal for highlighting a smooth and light blended whisky. And where can I get it? And word got out. Hibiki 12: The Youngest Hibiki Is No Longe It is heartbreaking. And you should expect to pay a premium. Hibiki 21 Year Old Blended Whisky. You may opt-out by. Each Hibiki expression is a blend of dozens of whiskies produced at all three of Suntorys whiskey-making facilities and, as with each Suntory whisky brand, may contain spirit aged in new American oak barrels, Spanish Olorosso sherry casks, ex-bourbon barrels, ex-wine casks and the legendary (not to mention extraordinarily expensive) Japanese Mizunara oak barrel. Each individual distillery is unique. 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. There are fruit notes of peach and citrus and a hint of tropical fruits. Its designed for very peaty Scotch whiskies. But Hibiki 17 has way more depth. 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. 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. Dave resides on the south coast of England. A few years ago, the wholesale price was just under $200. The result has been skyrocketing prices and acute shortages. Critic tasting note: "Deep layers of vanilla and mizunara oak with sugar sprinkled pastries, incense sticks, oiled wood, tatami, dried apricot, golden sultana, and faint smoky spiciness. Its also three- to five-times the price. But never fear, folks! The peat comes through most on the nose and finish, where it amounts to a background profile flavor. Below are suggestions for Scotch whiskies that could substitute for some of Japans most highly sought-after whiskies. The core range previously included the Hibiki 12 Year-Old, which was sadly discontinued in 2015, before the no-age Hibiki Harmony was introduced. Some of the absolute very best whiskies ever put out by this fantastic Speyside distillery. So if you really want some, make friends with an employee or get on a preorder list. But theyre both smooth and luxurious brands. 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. 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. When United Distillers sold the Speyburn Distillery to Inver House, this bottle became discontinued immediately. It started back in the 1990s. The finish is medium length, with notes of vanilla, eucalyptus, and a little pepperiness. Lost in Translation was a big hit. The bottles are iconic, featuring 24 facets that represent the 24 small seasons of Japan and the hours in a day. It easily outperformed gold and many other investment classes. If youre after peat, a Port Charlotte 16-Year-Old would also be a good choice. Now, TUN 1509 has taken its place and has a capacity of four times what 1401 did. 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. This is a BETA experience. While fans were saddened to see it go, the aged 17-, 21-, and 30-Year-Old bottlings remained to keep drinkers happy. And the third would be a Penicillin with Hakushu 18 floated on top. Some of the liquid that ends up being bottled as Japanese whisky originates in Scotland. Forwarning: you will (likely) never drink this expression. 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. SRP: Not Available in the USYear Introduced: 1937Production: Ongoing. Get it from my Etsy store for only $23 plus shipping. A snifter or dedicated single malt glass will provide the best tasting experience. Overall, the supply of this great blended whisky is good enough that it pays to shop around. And even though Dalwhinnie 15 is a single malt with a much higher average age, I would agree. According to the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA), in2019 10 million litres of pure alcohol were exported to Japan, up from 8 million in 2018 and 3.9 million in 2017. And though a few retailers sell it for the same price, most charge 25-400% more. pour). So it has been a great investment. The beloved Japanese whiskey popularized by Bill Murray in Lost in Translation will soon be no more, as supply issues have . Every product is carefully selected by our editors. Prices for both are similar. But for me, this first 30 Year Old is far and away the best thing I have ever tried out of this Islay gem. The last time I bought Hibiki 12 (about eight years ago), it was $60. The palate is smooth and silky, with flavors of apple and pear, along with milk chocolate and spearmint and a touch of grilled pineapple. The grain whisky uses corn and is distilled in a light, medium or heavy style using 4, 3 or 2 columns. Next, add ice to the pint and shake hard. (1110176) - The Dream of a Butterfly. So if you like whisky with intensity, Harmony may be overvalued. If youre able to order a pour at a bar, do so neat for the full experience. A Suntory Penicillin isnt as peaty as the original. It started out as an $80 bottle in 2003, then I saw this bottle retailing for $1000 in 2016. So dont expect any ginger, sandalwood, or incense notes. In my humble opinion, it outdoes its sherry cask counterpart of the same ageas well as its older brother, the 30 year. Satisfaction guaranteed or your money back. The closest comparison to Nikka Coffey Grain is Suntory Chita Single Grain, which is also a component of Hibiki. Bottles of award-winning Japanese Suntory Hibiki blended whisky, on display at the 'Whisky Live [+] Tokyo 2012 (Photo by Jeremy Sutton-Hibbert/Getty Images). This bottle is what got me into Japanese whisky. Suntory allocates a lot of its supply to restaurants and bars. Well, Hibiki Harmony replaced Hibiki 12. 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. Here, Nate lists his top 20 picks. Japan does hold a close place in my heart because of my Japanese roots and cultural background. The bottle itself is so stunning and features a print by famed artist Warren Khong on it., Better than its bigger brother, the 21, and discontinued. And neither is better than the other. By volume, Chita grain whisky is the largest component of the blend. I write about travel and food. Would you mix it with Coke?#hibikiwhisky #japanesewhisky #bartenderlife #barhumor #japanesewhiskey. The third of the three Suntory distilleries. According to Dave Broom, in 2017, there were: 27 Japanese firms importing bulk Scotch. What follows are the rich, standard markers for Japanese whisky: delicate fruit, light spice and a long, sherry-driven finish. And fill the glass with ice. In 2017, Suntory officially discontinued Hibiki 17. How long before Hibiki 21 is discontinued? Single Malt Daily regularly features images that would probably be best described as spirits porn. Required fields are marked *. You can look around for the best price. Hibiki whiskies blends whiskies from three Suntory distilleries: Yamazaki, Hakushu, and Chita. The Yamazaki 12 YO is matured in a combination of ex-bourbon and new oak casks, 80%, and the balance in a mix of sherry butts and Mizunara casks. And what caused this mess? Ive got a problem. A little water or ice helps temper the whisky to make it a better pairing. Hibiki Japanese Harmony is a NAS whisky. SRP: $150Street Price: $450-$600Year Introduced: 1989Production: Discontinued. But it isnt powerful or rich. However, after only being able to produce 2,000 liters per batch, it was deemed that it could not meet the global demand,Ganapathi explains. Theres good and bad news: its available again for what is the last time in the foreseeable future, but its going to cost you. I never ever liked rye until I met Michters. Yamazaki 12 is primarily made up of whisky aged in American oak and ex-bourbon casks, with trace amounts of whisky coming from Olorosso or Mizunara casks. Both are priced similarly and are excellent Japanese blended whiskies. And the whisky market could also cool off. Its price means it the perfect bulk buy, and its story makes it an ideal travel gift. Cant find your favorite Japanese whisky? Most large liquor stores will attempt to stock Harmony. This whisky is produced by Suntory in the Hakushu distillery, nicknamed the mountain forest distillery, in the foothills of Mt. Level-up your sushi bar game! Yamazaki. The whisky is matured in a combination of ex-bourbon, sherry and Mizunara casks. And they both are expertly blended with many types of barrels. And retailers are charging an arm and a leg for the Hibiki 21 thats available. The finish is long and complex, with flavors of dried fruit, spices and some lingering raspberry and blueberry notes. One of the best sherry bottles to have ever come out of this highland distillery in a year that saw them produce a ton of gems., One of the first Japanese malts to ever grace the market with its presence. This expression is the exact same base spirit as 12, just six years older. The most popular Japanese single malt in the world was also the first. What are your thoughts on Hibiki 21-Year? Its part review with tasting notes, similar whiskies, and product info. Until then, Scotland has some outstanding whiskies that you can substitute. Please share them below. In addition, over 80% of all Scottish whisky exports under three years of age go to Japan. Hi Al nara! The finish is long, sweet and fruity. Vintages include: 1959, 1964, 1964 Second Release, 1967, 1969, 1972, 1973, 1980, 1983, and the 30 Year Old American Oak Finish. Heres where to get it before its gone forever. The latter is especially useful if the bottle is stored in a warmer spot (like the top shelf of a bar). Its not a bad investment, but there are better options in my opinion. Available in nearly any decent liquor store, its perhaps the only Japanese party whisky. That's a great deal! Japanese grocery chains are another reliable option. But I think that Harmony is a blend of 5-20 year-aged whiskies, averaging less than ten years. It's even won the World's Best Blended Whisky at the World Whiskies Awards a handful of times. A large ice cube will yield a cold whisky with only modest dilution. Huge retailers like Total Wine, Binnys, BevMo, and Costco are reliable sources for this blended whisky. Then theres the monochromatic version, which is a single cask limited to 241 bottlesand at a much higher price of around $15,000to$20,000. Hibiki Harmony has a color between copper and amber. The first is a Rusty Nail. And it released Hibiki Japanese Harmony to replace the 12-year. Would you mix it with Coke?#hibikiwhisky #japanesewhisky #bartenderlife #barhumor #japanesewhiskey. My guess is Hibiki 21 will continue to be in high demand. A lot of people are asking this question. The discontinuation of Hibiki 17 was perhaps the biggest Japanese whisky news of 2018, and for good reason. Expect to pay the equivalent of $1100-$1300 for a 700ml bottle. There are layers of citrus and spice notes, plus sandalwood, stone fruit, raisin, almond, honey, ginger, aloe, toffee, and caramel. But many fake Japanese whiskies are in the same price bracket. Hibiki Japanese Harmony isnt discontinued. Nikka From the Barrel is the Lex Luthor to Harmonys Super Man. According to Suntory's PR team, an extra $80 million will be invested this year to expand the Hakushu aging facilities. But the crazy price increases will probably level out slightly. The latter whisky isnt necessarily better. 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. Hibiki 17 is most known for the flavors exhibited by the whisky aged in ultra-rare Mizunara oak barrels, a maturation process developed in Japan said to imbue the booze with coconut and sandalwood flavors. Such a choral piece. Furthermore, for at least a decade, Suntory has increased production. Do you think its a good deal? Now, instead of looking locally, youre searching for retailers nationally. He has written 16 books, the majority about whisky. My middle name is Ichiroso to see a formerly little known brand, Ichiros Malt, out there and breaking records, its just so cool!. But 21 isnt what one would call overoaked Hibikis trademark floral acidity cuts through the richness. Japanese whisky has been in high demand for about a decade. Absolutely Hibiki Japanese Harmony whisky is held in high esteem in the world of whisky. And a whole new audience became interested in Japanese whisky. SRP: $1,600Street Price: $7,500+Year Introduced: 1984Production: Ongoing. 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. Prices at these stores are usually ok. And many enthusiasts are right to ask: is Hibiki 21 discontinued too? Yamazaki 18 is more powerfully fruity and has a velvety texture. Check it out today! Hibiki operates out of 3 distilleries in Japan: In Yamazaki, Hakaushu, and Chita, Japan. Specific notes include rose, orange and lemon peels, green apple, lychee, sandalwood, eucalyptus, and mint. An acute shortage of aged stocks, the result of the combination of rising demand and lower production from roughly 1985 to around 2008, has meant that many Japanese whisky stalwarts have either been discontinued or have become impossible to find. Prices have increased from around $1000 to $1400 in only a few years. Expectthe price of the Hibiki 17 to rise on the secondary market and bottles to become ever harder to find. But Toki is younger, less complex, and rougher-tasting. Id try Glendronach 18-year-old Allardice' sherry matured, rich fruity depth touch of sweetness. And it also focuses on pricing and where to buy Hibiki Harmony. It has a plethora of highly-collectible bottles and is such a coveted brand, that it in fact often has its own auctions held by Bonhams Auction House in Asia. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. Id love to hear your thoughts about Hibiki. Required fields are marked *. 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. Suntory released Hibiki 21 and Hibiki 17 Year (semi-discontinued) in 1989. LAGAVULIN 1991 200TH ANNIVERSARY 25 YEAR OLD SINGLE CASK, A unique affair! Hibiki 21 is not currently discontinued; in fact, it is still available. SRP: Not Available in the USYear Introduced: 2015Production: Ongoing. Chivas Regal 25 Year is another well-regarded blended Scotch. Master Select has a lot more fruity Yamazaki malt and Sherry cask influence. Regardless of its value, theres no doubt it is one delicious Japanese whisky.
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