Hibiki means “chorus” or “harmony” in Japanese & the blends which Suntory bottle under this esteemed title have a reputation for being beautifully balanced blends. Hibiki 30 has been named The World’s Best Blended Whisky, not once, but twice, in 2007 & 2008.
Hibiki is made with malt whisky from Hakushu & Yamazaki as well as grain whisky from the Chita distillery.
The nose starts with very grainy notes with flavors of honey, fudge & cheesecake. There is some vanilla, too, but just a whiff of it. Later on a soft smoke note develops, followed by more cheesecake & a hint of milk chocolate. Beautifully balanced & wonderfully complex!
The palate is full-bodied and unexpectedly spicy and prickly on the tongue - no doubt the 30 years in the casks have left their imprint. Then there is sweetness: honey, pineapple and apricots, all superbly balanced. Towards the end notes of leather and dark, bitter chocolate appear.
The finish is warming, long and lingering. The grainy flavours from the nose are back, together with honey and apricots and followed by a touch of cinnamon.
The intensity of the spice on the palate was a bit surprising but did not do any harm to the overall balance, and the finish was a worthy ending to this momentous whisky. This is the art of blending at its very best, bravo!
