Sometimes you get lured in by the concept or the bottle. When I first started my spirits journey, I admittedly started in scotch. My grandfather drank it, my father would drink it, and so I wanted to drink it as well. As a result, I started with Johnnie Walker Black, but this gave way to Lagavulin 16 and other smokier offerings. Exploring available options, I eventually went on to work with a professor as my college to develop a Whiskeys of the World independent study. Among the sections we created, was Japanese Whiskey, and where I first encountered Hibiki Japanese Harmony.
Hibiki Japanese Harmony
Sight: Deep Gold
Smell: The nose is laced with lighter wood tones (perhaps this is what they’re referencing as sandalwood) with elements of rose and lychee. There are touches of tangerine, rosemary, and light honey. That floral background goes with just a hint of vanillin, and a little bit of heat. That floralness almost gives off a bit of extra fruit.
Sip: The mouthfeel is smooth, soft, and round with a very silky texture. The flavors of lychee, rose, white chocolate, and a perfumed -incense like wood come through in spades. There’s a creaminess that almost has a little orange and honey in it.
Savor: The end carries forward the rose, some jasmine, honey, and a hint of oak. The finish lingers with an oaky, perfumy tone that’s delicately seductive.
Hibiki Japanese Harmony is subtle, soft, and gentle. It entices you with a beautiful delicacy, while still providing full flavor at a relatively low proof. The warmth of the wood and intricate floral tones are a winding trip across the palate. The touches of oak and honey on the finish make for something that lingers pleasantly without being aggressive. Overall, it’s a beautiful whiskey that wants you to muse about it’s beauty rather than pounce on it.
In Cocktails
In a highball the smoothness manages to persist with some lighter floral notes (still rose forward) and lots of gentle toasted wood notes. It loses a bit of the depth, but still manages some subtle candied orange people and white chocolate notes. The overall impression is an easy going drink, that has some complexity, but not a lot of depth.
In Review – Hibiki Japanese Harmony
Hibiki Japanese Harmony is a beautiful whiskey to enjoy neat that really shines with a softness and pleasant mix of floral flavors. It’s easy to like, has a good depth of flavor, and only really faulters at the price. Long ago, this whiskey used to be somewhere closer to the $80-90 price point. In the state of Ohio, at the time of writing this, it’s up to $125. This whiskey is really nice, but it’s not really $100+ a bottle nice. That said, it still can be found in that price point. If you find that you like lighter scotch or Japanese whiskey, than this is one that deserves some consideration.