Hibiki Japanese Harmony is a Japanese blended whisky from the Suntory house, built around the idea of harmony between malt and grain whiskies drawn from the group's three distilleries. Introduced in 2015 as a no-age-statement expression, it brings together at least ten malt and grain whiskies from three distilleries, matured in five types of cask, with some of the components having aged for up to around 20 years.
Hibiki Japanese Harmony contains malt and grain whiskies from the Yamazaki, Hakushu and Chita distilleries. The spirit matures in five types of cask, including rare Japanese Mizunara oak, as well as sherry and bourbon casks. The American white oak malt whiskies form a steady backbone, the rare Mizunara and sherry casks provide the finishing touch, and gently smoky malt whiskies add depth and complexity. The grain whisky from the Chita distillery plays the role of dashi, the stock that binds the character of the entire blend together. The composition is the work of Shinji Fukuyo, master blender of the House of Suntory. Bottled at 43%.
The aroma is dominated by floral and fruity notes. The nose is fresh and inviting, with pronounced citrus, mainly lemon peel and a touch of yuzu, followed by yellow peaches. Sweet, mellow floral accents emerge, along with drops of honey and cedar wood, and in time woody notes come through with fresh oak shavings and grassy tones. On the palate the whisky is silky, with a fine balance between distinct oak notes – vanilla, white pepper, oak shavings – and the fruity sweetness of pear and orange. The mid-palate reveals biscuit tones, dried ginger and a hint of coconut cream.
The finish remains restrained and delicate. Every sip closes subtly, gently and at length, with a lingering note of Mizunara oak. Texture is the defining feature of the profile here – silky and smooth, often a hallmark of Japanese whisky. In 2018 Hibiki Harmony received a special bottle design inspired by traditional kimono patterns and decorated with a tabane-noshi motif.