New To The Hibiki Stable - Japanese Harmony Whisky

As most of us are probably aware, Japanese malts have made quite an impact on the whisky world as of late and have certainly ruffled a few feathers on its rise to the top of the collectible whisky lists. The only trouble with this is that it's becoming harder and harder to find some for sale at all, let alone at a reasonable price point. Here to rectify this is the Suntory Hibiki Japanese Harmony, an entry level blended whisky from the people who also produce the popular Yamazaki and Hakushu single malts. Japanese people place a high emphasis on craftsmanship and this is evident in the production and presentation of their whisky. Head distiller Shinji Fukuyo has striven to capture another key tenet of Japanese culture with Hibiki Harmony and that is the special relationship the Japanese have with nature. This harmony has existed between the people and the land for thousands of years so it was no small task to try and condense that down into a single bottle of whisky. Shinji, who is the great grandson of the company's founder Shingo Torii, heads up the blending team and has taken inspiration from the various aspects of Japan's 24 seasons to create Hibiki Harmony. Hibiki is Japan's most highly awarded blended whisky and Harmony contains at least 10 different malt and grain whiskies aged in five different cask types and taken from Suntory's Yamazaki, Hakushu and Chita distilleries.

Hibiki Harmony uses the same foundation whisky as found in the popular Hibiki 17 and 21 year olds but is certainly a great deal kinder to your wallet than those two; this is fitting as Harmony is the entry level to the other Hibiki whisky and a great gateway whisky into Japanese malt in general. It's an extremely versatile dram and can be enjoyed neat, on the rocks, blended with water or mixed as a cocktail whilst still retaining harmony of flavour.

If you want to enjoy this Hibiki the traditional Japanese way, called mizuwari, meaning ‘cut with water’ or as a highball cut with sod, then there is a special ritual involved. You add block ice to a highball glass and stir with a bar spoon to chill the glass, then discard any melted water from the glass. Add 1 to 1.5oz of whisky and stir thirteen and one-half times clockwise. Add two to three times as much sparkling water as whisky and then stir three and one half times more clockwise.

Suntory Hibiki Japanese Harmony

Nose: Floral sweetness with some pine and sandalwood Palate: Caramelised honey very sweet candied orange, cinnamon, nutmeg, rosemary and a little smokiness Finish: Medium finish and clean, some dark chocolate sweet bitterness, lingering honey This is a nice light whisky with a lot of vying for attention. There is a heavy emphasis on the floral which makes sense given the fact that the natural world was their inspiration for this. Highly recommended and great value for money.