Suntory Hibiki Harmony Whisky
Japan has a great secular tradition in whisky production, and nowadays Japanese whiskies are known for the quality and innovation. Japanese whisky is definitely in fashion, collecting several awards in the recent years.
The name of this japanese whisky has not been chosen randomly. This whisky harmonizes the several malt and grain whiskies used, that the name “Harmony’? suits very well. The blend is Suntory’s team responsibility, led by the master Shingo Torii. The Japanese whisky Hibiki Harmony is a whisky from the Hibiki range of the Suntory distillery. There, are mixed the grain whiskies from Chita with the malt whiskies from Hakushu and Yamazaki. There are several barrels used in the aging process of this whisky: sherry oak barrels, Mizunara oak and American white oak barrels.
Hibiki Harmony – Features
As we mentioned the word Harmony fits this whisky like a glove. A soft and elegant blend, easily appreciated by all kinds of whisky fans. Even though its softness, this whisky hide several layers which gives it some complexity, suited for experienced whisky lovers.
As for the aromas and flavors, there are some herbal touches, oak, orange and honey. If you are looking for a quality, easy to drink whisky, the Hibiki Harmony is a great choice.
Suntory’s Heritage Behind Hibiki Harmony
Suntory is Japan’s oldest major distiller, founded in Osaka in 1899. In 1923 it built Yamazaki, the first commercial whisky distillery in Japan, followed decades later by the mountain distillery Hakushu. The Hibiki range was launched in 1989 to mark Suntory’s 90th anniversary, bringing together whiskies from across the company’s distilleries into one signature blend. Hibiki Harmony, released in 2015 as a no-age-statement expression, keeps that house style consistent as older-vintage stock has grown scarcer worldwide.
The whisky is instantly recognisable by its 24-sided bottle, a design referencing the traditional 24 divisions of the Japanese solar calendar — a detail that mirrors the whisky’s own balance of seasonal flavours. Hibiki Harmony has also picked up international recognition, including gold medal honours at competitions such as the International Spirits Challenge.
It works well neat or on the rocks, and its gentle sweetness also holds up in a highball over ice, a serving style popular in Japan. For readers exploring Japan’s whisky scene further, our guide to Suntory covers the distillery’s other labels, and our piece discovering Hibiki Harmony looks at this whisky in more depth.