The House of Suntory has unveiled its latest limited-edition whisky, Hibiki Blossom Harmony, featuring whiskies finished in Sakura casks. Additionally, the Japanese whisky house will be releasing Hibiki 30 Year Old for the first time in the U.S.
A blend of various malt and grain whiskies from Suntory’s Yamazaki, Hakushu, and Chita distilleries, Hibiki Blossom Harmony looks to capture the joyful spirit of Sakura Blossom season. Fifth Generation Chief Blender Shinji Fukuyo was intrigued by the possibilities of the Sakura cask.
“I have been mesmerized by the Sakura cask for the last five years now due to its symbolism, but also because of its distinctive, subtly floral and spicy aroma and flavor notes,” says Fukuyo. “There have been many experiments with malt and grain whisky components, and we found that there was a special alchemy between the grain whiskies and the Sakura cask. It is this special relationship – harmony – that inspired me to create this blend.”
On the nose, the whisky offers wafting floral aromas, sakura, and fragrant olive. The palate features a smooth mouthfeel, along with notes of acacia honey, French pear, and a refined sweetness suggestive of sakura mochi. The finish is long-lasting rich.
Bottled at 43 percent ABV, the Hibiki Blossom Harmony will be available beginning in October in select global markets, including in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, France, Spain, Austria, United Arab Emirates, Netherlands, Italy, Turkey, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam. It is priced at $160 USD.
Meaning “Resonance” in Japanese, Hibiki embodies the Suntory philosophy To Create Harmony with People and Nature. As a House of Master Blenders, the House of Suntory has gone to great lengths to explore the breadth and depth of what Harmony can mean for a blend. Hibiki 30 Year Old and Hibiki Blossom Harmony celebrate this particular kind of Harmony.
The Hibiki 30 Year Old was originally released in 1997 as a rare, limited edition. It represents the paragon of the brand and the art of Japanese craftsmanship. It features a select blend of Yamazaki malt whiskies that are 30 years and older from Suntory’s treasured historic collection, with mild grain whiskies that have also matured at least 30 years. With a few thousand bottles produced each year, each is bottled by hand.
On the nose, it offers aromas of leather, raisin, prune, and sweet chestnut. The palate finds brown sugar, dried fig, apricot jam, cedar and pain d’epices (gingerbread). The finish is extremely rich with notes of cinnamon and Mizunara (Japanese Oak).
For the first time, the Hibiki 30 Year Old will be available in the U.S. as of October for the price of $5,000.
For more information on either bottling, head over to the brand’s official website.
