HIBIKI JAPANESE 12 YEARS OLD

A stunning 12 year-old blend from Hibiki, some of the whisky has been part-matured in plum liqueur casks. Lovely malt from Hakushu and Yamazaki, plus some aged grain from Chita, this terrific Japanese blend picked up the top prize in its category at the World Whisky Awards 2010

NOSE : Very fruity, with ripe oranges, apple pie, marmalade and plums (would I have still got those plums if I didn't know about the plum liqueur maturation? I'd like to hope so). Fresh honeysuckle and nougat aromas, sugared almonds, sponge cake, icing sugar. Expressive and exciting.

PALATE : Smooth as a snooker ball, with delicious fresh grain, oak tannins and delicately sherried malt. Some clove, pepper and mixed peel as the sherry comes forward. The citrus is here as well, if slightly more tart like lemon or grapefruit.

FINISH : Spices, apple peel and the last remnants of the finely-tuned grain. Nothing dominates, everything in place - the integration and balance are quite remarkable. The spices seem to build in intensity at the finale.

Suntory Whisky Hibiki is a harmonious blend, blessed with the riches of Japanese nature and craftsmanship.

"Kanzen" or complete, Hibiki Whisky is a harmonious blend of innumerous malt and grain whiskies which are meticulously blended to create a full orchestra of flavors and aromas. Seductive, blossoming and enigmatic, Hibiki Whisky celebrates an unrivaled art of blending, fine craftsmanship and a sense of luxury from the House of Suntory.

Hibiki was launched in 1989 to commemorate Suntory’s 90th anniversary, and has ever since been embraced as the paragon of The Art of Japanese Whisky, the very product of Japanese nature and her people. Hibiki Whisky is not only Japan’s most highly awarded blended whisky, but among the most prestigious and honoured whiskies in the world.