Learn how your comment data is processed. Which makes sense, of course Shinjiro Toriis company, founded in 1923, is Japans first and most popular whisky maker. Doing so will produce a colder drink with less dilution. Hibiki Whisky - Latest Prices and Buying Guide - TheSwissPub.com Dalwhinnie doesnt have any Japanese mizunara oak, however. Updated September 18: Beam-Suntory representatives have confirmed the Hibiki 17 expression sold as a special release on Dekanta is standard Hibiki 17 whisky. Both whiskies are wildly popular. Prices for top-ranked Japanese whiskies, like the Yamazaki 12, have increased 10-fold over the last 20 years. It has since been replaced by the 12 Year Old. The discontinuation of Hibiki 17 was perhaps the biggest Japanese whisky news of 2018, and for good reason. 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. Hibiki 21 is a living legend within the Japanese whisky category. 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. And its easily among the worlds most famous blended whiskies. Curiously, its still on Suntorys website. If youve been into Japanese whisky for a while, youll remember that it was somewhat easy to find. On the retail side, Hibiki 21 will likely cost US $1300 minimum for a 750ml bottle. Suntory released Hibiki 21 and Hibiki 17 Year (semi-discontinued) in 1989. US retail prices between $1300-$1600 are common. But after you start to understand the history of each distillery and the craftsmanship that goes into each and every single bottle, you appreciate all regions, Nate says. The Times named him Scotlands leading whisky expert in 2010. Japanese whisky has been in high demand for about a decade. Youll notice a pattern with Suntorys most recent whisky releases: no age statements. The soon to be discontinued, Hibiki 17-Year-Old. 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! SRP: $85Street Price: $125-$200Year Introduced: 1984Production: Ongoing. 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. Second, add lots of ice to the cold glass. This is a Hibiki 17 year old Chrysanthemum & Crane. So they dont taste the same side by side. In 2015, Suntory announced it was discontinuing 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. Dont forget the almonds or quince either. This is a BETA experience. 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. Required fields are marked *. But its also a crapshoot. Think Highland Park. Hibiki Whisky Price And by early 2017, the retail price was an inflated $600-$800 US. In 2017, Suntory officially discontinued Hibiki 17. I have never had a bad dram of Hakushu, and the meticulous Japanese way of creating anything would suggest that I probably never will. 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. SRP: Not Available in the USYear Introduced: 2014Production: Ongoing. Neat is a great way to enjoy the subtle but complex flavors of Harmony. A world renowned Japanese blend, Hibiki 17 Year Old is made with aged malt and grain whiskies from Suntory's distilleries . Kai-Komagatake. And you can sometimes find it for a reasonable price. For me, anything Lagavulin touches is a no-brainer., GLENDRONACH 1968 ANA (ALL NIPPON AIRWAYS), I have watched this bottle gain roughly over 200% value in the past two years alone,Ganapathi says. 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. Dominic Roskrow has been a professional writer since 1982, and has been editing drinks magazines for nearly 30 years. However, if you happen to stumble into a store in Asia that has this, it should cost you no more than $250.. 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. 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. Please drink responsibly. Eventually all these whiskies will be available again. Pursuant to SWA rules, only blended Scotch can be exported in bulk. The distillery, built in 1934, was located there because of the regions similarity to Scotland. And word got out. Just like in stores, prices can be all over the place, so please shop around. Harmony carries no age statement. You may opt-out by. This 21-year bottling spends a lot of time in primo Japanese Mizunara casks. Hibiki is a blended whisky featuring malt and grain components. And this results in a complex tasting tour de force. Both whiskies are only lightly peated with notes of heather. Diluted to bottling strength, its conceivable that up to 20% of the whisky bottled in Japan originated in Scotland. Nathaniel Ganapathi (better known as Nate Gana) is. This is a BETA experience. Absolute victory for you if you owned this before all the commotion. Suntory to discontinue Hibiki 17 and Hakushu 12 Specific notes include rose, orange and lemon peels, green apple, lychee, sandalwood, eucalyptus, and mint. So its way more affordable than Hibiki 21. Over the course of production, nine batches were created. The first of two U.S.-distributed Hakushu offerings, 12 offers up what the Hakushu lines deep green bottle promises: freshness. Harmony is lighter in color and flavor, less rich, and somewhat simpler. And if you find it, make sure it has the box (extra points if it has the ribbon. And do this before you add the whisky. 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.. The finish is long, sweet and fruity. SRP: $1,600Street Price: $7,500+Year Introduced: 1984Production: Ongoing. Broom points out however, that in his view: Its impossible (and wrong) to try and estimate how much Scotch is in Japanese whisky. In the glass, Hibiki 21 is dark, fruity, and a bit oily. The second would be a Manhattan with Carpano Antica Formula. Whiskies from 12-20 years are likely in small amounts. I am looking for the Suntory Hibiki 21 years Dekanta.. The Hibiki 17 and Hakushu 12 are just the latest aged whiskies to get the chop. This is just like Yamazaki Distillers Reserve but made entirely with Hakushu whiskies. But they often markup Japanese whiskies a lot. How much? Its not a bad investment, but there are better options in my opinion. And it will teach you how to become a savvy buyer of Hibiki 21. This means that Harmony is younger overall. A. 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 expression was not meant. And overall, whisky has faired well as an investment. 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. Even if they are not a perfect match, they will certainly be easier to find and considerably cheaper. Then top with a float of Hakushu 12. Prices on this have gone through the roof. Rather than bemoan the losses of these discontinued/suspended varieties, here's what you can do. 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. Is Hibiki 21 Discontinued - thejapanesebar.com This makes it easier to find Hibiki Harmony. 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. 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 boozy and old-school cocktail is simply sugar, bitters, and whisky. And the grain whisky is made at Chita. Because there wasnt enough stock to meet demand. 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. Finally, the most reliable way to shop for Hibiki Harmony is online. He lives in Edinburgh. Made almost entirely of whisky that was aged in the golden era of the distillery: the 1960s. Suntory designed Toki to do one thing extraordinarily well: mix in highballs. Very sad to see this one go. Huge retailers like Total Wine, Binnys, BevMo, and Costco are reliable sources for this blended whisky. Also like the Yamazaki, less complexity isnt necessarily a bad thing. I got into this a few years ago. This expression is the exact same base spirit as 12, just six years older. $95 is a great price. The distillery has an impressive library of whiskies . Hibiki whiskies blends whiskies from three Suntory distilleries: Yamazaki, Hakushu, and Chita. First, dissolve the sugar in the glass with bitters. Today, hes at the top of his game with his incredibly influential spirits-based account. But thats when Hibiki is available. Wholesale prices across the US are not the same. The latter is especially useful if the bottle is stored in a warmer spot (like the top shelf of a bar). More on that below. There is some spiciness and fruitiness too, yes, pineapple, and towards the end a pleasantly bitter note of orange peel. ), GLENLIVET CELLAR COLLECTION LIMITED EDITION (FULL SET), A collection to truly be reckoned with. But finding a bottle is another matter. And you can also think of it as a baby Hibiki. Some of the absolute very best whiskies ever put out by this fantastic Speyside distillery. Why was Hibiki discontinued? Suntory wont say much about the ages of the component whiskies. And retailers are charging an arm and a leg for the Hibiki 21 thats available. But they did not lower the price. (1110176) The Dream of a Butterfly, https://www.wine-searcher.com/find/hibiki+twenty+one+old+blend+whisky+japan/0/usa, Oh, no! A Suntory Penicillin isnt as peaty as the original.