That means you’ll experience a complex expression that houses an incredible array of notes and exhibits outstanding balance through this range of harmonious aromas and flavours. Hibiki is careful, measured, and specific. Every element of this incredible whisky was designed precisely so, with no margin for error or any kind of supplementation. And that’s something you’ll spot every step of the way. He'd sent me a Glen Scotia distilled in 1992 and bottled in 2009 by Gordon & Macphail, Dalmore 12 yr old, Old Pulteney 12 yr old, Suntory Hibbiki 17 yr old, Aberlour Abunadh batch 17 and a special mystery malt that very few people have ever got to try.

We may sell, license, transfer, assign or in any other way dispose of the Service (including Members) to any third party without any notification to you, e.g. (but without limitation) in connection with any reorganization, restructuring, merger or sale, or other transfer of assets. Finish: Starts bitter. Dry. Citrus makes an appearance briefly. Quite long and warming! Bitterness dissipates. Left with some soft cereal notes and what might be a hint of that plum. Nose: Plum wine prominent, a little "feinty" (for a 17 year old whisky?), caramelised sugar. Caramel intensifies over time and comes to dominate. Not much else in there, except maybe a floral hint. Whiskybase B.V. (“Whiskybase”, “we” or “us”, company details below) offers a whisky enthusiasts online platform that provides its members access to the most comprehensive, transparent and trusted resource of whisky bottles and allows and stimulates its members to contribute information about whisky bottles to the platform (“Service”). No partnership, joint venture, agency, or employment relationship is created as a result of your use of the Service.We may, but are not under any obligation, to release new functionalities and tools or other features for the Service every now and then. Any new functionalities, tools and features shall be part of and governed by the Terms from the moment they are launched and/or available. Further, we reserve the right to modify, change, discontinue the Service, add or remove features, update the Service, change its appearance, temporarily and permanently, at any time, in whole or any part thereof. Hibiki 17 Year Old has consistently been awarded the World’s best-blended whisky again took home that award in 2017, as well as Supreme Champion Spirit at the ISC ’17. Hibiki was one of the first brands to put Japanese whisky on the map, taking it from a relatively unknown concept to something adored and obsessed over after the Hibiki 30 Year Old won the World’s Best Blended Whisky category at the World Whiskies Award in London. You are responsible for all activities through your account. You are responsible for the accuracy of the information you provide to us in relation to your account, and for updating it where necessary. You are not allowed to create multiple accounts. We may terminate or temporarily suspend your account to protect you, ourselves or our partners from (suspected) identity theft or other (suspected) fraudulent (e.g. false, misleading, deceptive) activity. You have the obligation to keep your login credentials confidential. You shall not authorize any others to use or access your account. Now I've tried a few other Japanese whiskies before, specifically the Yamazaki 12 yr (over rated in my opinion) and the Hakushu 12 yr old (absolutely brilliant).

It should be noted that if you have the money and the fine palate, Suntory Whisky Hibiki 21 Years Old aka Hibiki 21 is also incredibly good. In fact, itwas selected for the “Supreme Champion Spirit” award at the International Spirits Challenge this year. I asked Suntory Holdings about this "arbitrage opportunity." If you do the math, even if Hibiki 17 in the regular bottle was widely available at the list price (which it is not) it would still theoretically be cheaper to buy 14 miniature bottles. Suntory's explanation: "When Hibiki 17 was first put on the market in 1989, the whiskey market was heading downwards and the miniature bottles were priced to encourage people to sample the whiskey. The pricing from that era has remained in place and thus the price (per milliliter), when compared to the 700-milliliter bottle is still cheaper." The bottle (it comes in what looks like an oversized aftershave bottle) is long gone but I decanted the last 50ml and finally decided to drink it last night. When I take a sip it goes bitter, feels like oak, peppers with some citrus notes. It feels like there should be more fruit there, but the bitterness is overshadowing it. Hibiki 17 Year earned the Gold Medal at the International Spirits Competition in 2012 and 2013. In addition, it was named the "Best Japanese Blended Whisky" at the World Whiskies Awards.First reaction, from nosing of bottle immediately after cap removal is distinctly and umistakably, of plum wine. A wonderful thing to experience for the first time! I left the bottle alone for 15 minutes before pouring a dram for nosing and tasting and followed up the tasting the next day, these are combined notes with my final score.

Hibiki, like everything else produced under the Suntory house of brands, was first inspired by Scotch whisky’s rugged yet complex nature. With a similar amber coloring but a more delicate crafting, Hibiki pulls together the best of traditional whisky with a refined edge. The finish starts off fairly bitter and dry and is quite disappointing until you start getting to the aftertaste. There I'm detecting the slightest hint of fruit, feels like pears, but I could be wrong which partially redeems the whisky.Each and every Member must be of legal drinking age in its country of residence to be allowed to use the Service. If no such law exists in a Member’s country of residence, the Member has to be over 21 years old to use the Service. We have the right to ask you to provide proof of your age and/or to provide further identification to prevent underage usage and/or for any other legal or legitimate purpose. By using the Service, and by creating an account you represent, warrant and confirm that you are of legal age. Had a follow-up dram again tonight. I usually do not add water to whiskies at 40-43% ABV, but I thought I'd give it a go and was pleasantly surprised! If any provision of these Terms is held invalid, the remainder of the Terms shall continue in full force and effect. With the addition of water, the nose becomes floral and fruity, with an added hint of peat smoke, improving its balance noticeably as the caramel recedes from the forefront. Sadly though, the plum recedes also and is barely noticeable - but given the new found balance in the nose, it's not a major loss. But on top of the plums I get some spices, I think nutmeg and cinnamon, caramel and hints of what I think are fruits, apples and pears specifically.

Taste: Pepper first, followed by red wine (is that some sherry)? Light mouthfeel. A little "bitey". Pepper mellows to something vaguely reminiscent of radish while sherry dissipates, some citrus comes on too. Soft grain sweetness develops. Interesting bitter turn upon swallowing. If we decide not to exercise or enforce any right or provision of these Terms, such decision shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision. Is it the greatest whisky ever? No. Is it worth the huge sums people shell out for a bottle now? Of course not. But it was a beautifully balanced whisky and still the best Japanese whisky I've ever tasted (admittedly I think I've only had maybe 6 or 7).

The subtle refinements made to the 2019 Edition bring an added touch of flair and elegance. It’s classy, visually stunning and has an air of quality before it has even passed your lips – it’s the perfect last goodbye. Nothing in the Terms shall exclude or limit our liability for fraudulent misrepresentation or for death or personal injury resulting from gross negligence or willful misconduct by us.