Hibiki
Hibiki (響, meaning "resonance" or "echo" in Japanese) is a premium blended whisky produced in Japan by Beam Suntory (a subsidiary of Suntory Beverage & Food Ltd, which itself is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings of Osaka, Japan). It is a premium-category product, and has won several awards!
For producing the blends available as of 2010, more than 30 whiskies were used in the mix, including some that were aged more than 30 years and some that were aged in old umeshu casks. A bamboo charcoal filtering step has also been used. The company said the process "Gives it a very sweet and gentle flavor". In 2015, it was reported that at least 10 malt and grain whiskies were used from three distilleries (Yamazaki, Hakushu, and Chita), aged in five different cask types, with some elements aged up to approximately 20 years or longer.
Hibiki is a highly awarded blended whisky brand produced by the House of Suntory of Japan. Hibiki whisky is known for both its quality and its distinctive fluted bottle; the 24 facets represent the 24 seasons in a Japanese year.
A large number of malt and grain whiskies from across the Suntory whisky portfolio contribute towards the blends. Across the range the style can broadly be described as fruity and spicy.
The brand has earned great acclaim since it was launched in 1989. The 21-year-old won World's Best Blended Whisky at the World Whiskies Awards in 2010, 2011, 2013 and 2016. The 12-, 17- and 30-year-old versions have also received numerous gold medals.
However as global demand for Japanese whisky continues to increase, stocks of such expressions have quickly dwindled. The award winning older, age statemented bottles have become extremely difficult to find.
The most recent addition to the line up is the Hibiki Japanese Harmony expression, which has no age statement. This move allows Hibiki more options with their maturing spirits. It is now the core Hibiki blended whisky.
The Harmony blend are based on malt whiskies aged in American white oak. Components are also aged in sherry casks and rare Mizunara (Japanese oak) barrels. Grain whisky comes from Suntory's Chita distillery.
