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. Hibiki whiskies blends whiskies from three Suntory distilleries: Yamazaki, Hakushu, and Chita. 1 vault. The House of Suntory distillery, the brand's revered producer, is the oldest in Japan and pretty much introduced the world to this new, more delicate style of whisky. 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. If youre really into authentic Japanese whisky, Hibiki Harmony isnt a bad deal. Its received significant fanfare since then. 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. The Yamazaki 12 Year Old Whisky: Price & Review (2023) - The Japanese Bar Get it from my Etsy store starting at $28.55 plus shipping. The good news is Suntory has ramped up production. But it wasnt until the groundbreaking creation of the Yamazaki Distillery () that Suntory really took off. But dont count on Hibiki 21 being discontinued. 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 little water or ice helps temper the whisky to make it a better pairing. Compared to other categories of whisky, Japanese whiskies have shown the most price appreciation over the last decade. SRP: $1,600Street Price: $7,500+Year Introduced: 1984Production: Ongoing. SRP: Not Available in the USYear Introduced: 2014Production: Ongoing. The heavy sherry notes and incredible color speak volumes to what The Macallan is able to produce, and its a wonder how this never made it to North America on a commercial level, as it is truly outstanding. The last core product to discontinue was the Hibiki 12. Why was Hibiki discontinued? Hibiki 21 is known for its bouquet, impeccable balance, and smooth nature. The beloved Nikka whisky, distilled at the Yoichi distillery in Hokkaido and brainchild of sorts of Masataka Taketsuru, the "Father of Japanese Whisky," is being discontinued. One: try out the new releases by big name breweries, such as Suntory's Toki or Hibiki Japanese . Difference. With demand at an all-time high, several online retailers have evencreated ballots for extremely rare, well-aged releases. Between 1990 and 2000, Japanese whisky distilleries were getting wrecked. 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. SRP: $250Street Price: $500-$1,000Year Introduced: 1984Production: Discontinued. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. 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. So I just wanted to make whisky look sexy. If youre in tune to the world of spirits (and social media), itd be impossible to ignore @SingleMaltDailyan Instagram account and website independently managed by Vancouver-based Nathaniel Ganapathi, who is better known as Nate Gana. The finish is long, sweet and fruity. Instead of sherry on the back-end, its the first thing you taste. Rumored to contain sherried whiskies from The Yamazaki, The Hakushu, and The Chita distilleries that are at least 25 years or older, this may be one of the very best whiskies ever put out by Suntory. But the industry didnt stay down for long. Such a choral piece. Suntory released Hibiki 21 and Hibiki 17 Year (semi-discontinued) in 1989. And this scarcity is why prices are all over the place. The famed closed distillery was only open between 1955-2001. Yamazaki 12-Year-Old Japanese Whisky: Why Pricing Has Gone Through The So dont expect any ginger, sandalwood, or incense notes. Expect to pay north of $2,500 a bottle. The malt whisky components come from the Yamazaki and Hakushu distilleries. Overall, the supply of this great blended whisky is good enough that it pays to shop around. The Port Charlotte 16, however, is probably more difficult to get than Yoichi. Whisky aged in Mizunara casks is thought to need more time to reach its potential than traditional aging types; thus, the older the Hibiki expression, the more Mizunara characteristic. Neat is a great way to enjoy the subtle but complex flavors of Harmony. Also like the Yamazaki, less complexity isnt necessarily a bad thing. The Yamazaki 18 YO is widely considered Suntorys standard bearer. Is Hibiki 12-Year discontinued? The list of discontinued classic Japanese whiskies is long. $95 is a great price. Specific notes include rose, orange and lemon peels, green apple, lychee, sandalwood, eucalyptus, and mint. The retail price is whatever someone is willing to pay. A 750ml of Hibiki 30 costs about $9-$11K per bottle. Its an award-winner with a price tag of around $400-$500. Cant find your favorite Japanese whisky? 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). Japan does hold a close place in my heart because of my Japanese roots and cultural background. 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 whisky's official $150 retail price. If mizunara isnt your thing, Dalwhinnie 15 might be a good alternative to Hibiki Harmony. Blue cheese is especially delicious. Again, this was discontinued and replaced by an older bottling: the 12 Year Old. Demand kept building. It operates three whisky distilleries across Japan Yamazaki Distillery, Hakushu Distillery, Chita Distillery each with its own purpose and flair. 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. When a Westerner thinks of Japanese whisky, they think of names under the House of Suntory. Located in a Kyoto suburb, the Yamazaki Distillery is the birthplace of Japanese whisky. What are your thoughts on Hibiki 21-Year? But if you dont mind using a relatively hard-to-get whisky for your drink, its an awesome choice. Unlike any other 12 year old bottle on the market, it acts so much older than it is. In 2015, Suntory decided to bottle a single grain variant to sell in Japan (it hasnt made it to the States yet). No more Suntory time: Japan's stock of aged whiskey dries up Some of my favorite people in the industry are so young and so in tune to the world of whisky, Nate says. I cant believe how quickly those days have disappeared,Ganapathi says. The spices are different but are there from the French oak. a Vancouver-based whisky specialist who has turned his Instagram account, Single Malt Daily, into one of the most influential spirits-based platforms. 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? 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. That doesnt look far-fetched with world markets retracting and interest rates on the rise in 2022. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. The idea that you can find Scotch whiskies that are comparable stylistically to Japanese whiskies is not so far fetched. 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. So I make sure to always have at least one bottle. Hibiki Whisky Discontinued As Supplies Run Dry - LUXUO Made almost entirely of whisky that was aged in the golden era of the distillery: the 1960s. And theyre both about the same degree of collectible. This is likely to be the youngest component of the blend. But finding a bottle is another matter. You can look around for the best price. And if you find it, make sure it has the box (extra points if it has the ribbon. Its fresh herbal notes become dried herbal notes and the citrus is replaced with a big, ripe sweetness. The Complete Buying Guide to Buffalo Trace Whiskey, How to Drink Scotch, According to a World-Famous Whiskey Expert, Japanese Whisky Is Overpriced, Over-Hyped and More Exciting Than Ever, The Complete Buying Guide to Panerai Watches, The Complete Buying Guide to Patek Philippe, 11 Awesome Bicycle Brands You Should Know, The Complete Buying Guide to Tudor Watches, The Complete Guide to Lodge Cast-Iron Skillets, The Complete Sonos Buying Guide (Updated for 2023), Vintage Levi's Jeans: Everything You Need to Know, The Complete Guide to Suntory Japanese Whisky: Important Brands and Bottles Explained. A pour of the world-renowned Japanese blend, Hibiki 17. Every product is carefully selected by our editors. For 14 years, including two years in Ireland, Martin was one of the original Diageo Sr. Masters of Whisky. By volume, Chita grain whisky is the largest component of the blend. As the NAS whiskymovement grows, producers can experiment and bring togetheryounger vintages and flavors. He is a Master of the Quaich and was inducted into the Whisky Hall of Fame in 2017. He resides in The Netherlands and in South Carolina. A few years ago, the wholesale price was just under $200. Nectarous mouthfeel . Harmony on the rocks is a popular way to enjoy this whisky. So finding that great deal will take time and may not be worth it. 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. The peat comes through most on the nose and finish, where it amounts to a background profile flavor. It is the only major distillery in Japan that specializes in grain whisky. Tasting notes include honeyed malt, butter, caramel, white chocolate, black pepper, ginger, vanilla, lavender, heather, faint brine, more citrus, golden raisin, apricot, and aloe. Hibiki is a blend of single malt pot still whisky, both peated and unpeated, and column still produced grain whisky. Satisfaction guaranteed or your money back. I love Old Fashioneds made with Hibiki Harmony. But in 2018, Suntory announced it was discontinuing Hibiki 17, gradually. Moreover, the rules of what constitutes Japanese whisky are quite flexible. This is often the best way to save money. And for most of us, Hibiki Japanese Harmony is the only Hibiki we can get. 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. So it makes the 21-year look affordable. Im a huge fan of Hibiki whiskies, but have mixed feelings about the price of Hibiki Harmony. It has since been replaced by the 12 Year Old. This is a BETA experience. And neither is better than the other. Please share them below. Demand for Japanese whisky was poor. Below are some recommended online retailers that offer delivery. Theres good and bad news: its available again for what is the last time in the foreseeable future, but its going to cost you. And I dont blame them. Satisfaction guaranteed or your money back. Rest assured we are busy stocking up. Prices are going up on this one, so look around the $2,000 range. Suntory clearly wishes to keep this whisky in its lineup. 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! Check it out and follow me to find more educational content. Overall, Hibiki Harmony is a mellow and smooth blended whisky. Each individual distillery is unique. Would you mix it with Coke?#hibikiwhisky #japanesewhisky #bartenderlife #barhumor #japanesewhiskey. Honey-dew melon, floral nose and rich viscous body makes for a relaxing dram in the backyard on an early summer evening. But I think that Harmony is a blend of 5-20 year-aged whiskies, averaging less than ten years.
