As you know I am a lover of Seafood but what you did not know so far I am as well a little expert on Whiskey and especially on Japanese Whiskey and today I want to introduce you to a must have in each collection, the Hibiki 12.
Well, thank you very much, Jim Murray! The whiskey pope, enamored of PR, praises the Japanese malts to the skies, and the prices won't settle down anymore. Since the appearance of the Whiskey Bible in 2014, many Japanese whiskeys have flat-out gone through the roof! The reason is the enormously increased demand with the simultaneously limited supply. Many distilleries simply don't have enough older casks in stock. The Hibiki range was quickly supplemented with a no-age-statement version with the tourist souvenir designation, "Japanese Harmony".
Why not hype Haig Club, Mr. Murray?
We can only hope that Jim Murray will perhaps select the Haig Club of soccer star David Beckham as the finest scotch in this year's Bible. To be sure, it's said to be lousy (as yet I have done without a tasting), but at least I could then enjoy the really superb age statements from Japan in peace again. Such as, for example, the Hibiki 12 Years from the Yamazaki Distillery. Like the Hibiki 17 Years (more on this one in my second post) , it is made from 30 different whiskeys.
Hibiki 12 bottle
These whiskeys, however, in no way come from different distilleries, as would be the case in Scotland. Rather, Yamazaki itself produces a lot of different scotches for blending with flexible distilling equipment (different pot stills). Storage of the whiskey also offers possible variations. For this purpose, casks of Spanish, American, and native Japanese oak are employed. For the Hibiki 12 Years, malts from Yamazaki and Hakushu are used. The grain whiskey comes from the Chita Distillery (all Beam Suntory).
How does it smell?
Typical for Japanese whiskeys are the mild, balanced aromas. Very flowery and with much ripe fruit, this whiskey takes us on a trip eastbound. Watermelon, peach, and pineapple can be sniffed. At the same time, the whiskey has a matter-of-fact, harmonious, balanced, and unobtrusive accent. Cinnamon and wood, as well as a bit of mother's bundt cake, subtly emerge.
How does it taste?
This whiskey requires time. Those who enjoy the Hibiki 12 too quickly will scarcely be able to discover the many fine and finest nuances of the malt. A fruity prelude comes off with a lightly tropical impact. Then fresh pear juice emerges distinctly; nectar and wild honey, too, are incorporated in the blend. A light and sweet whiskey, which not until the finish experiences a dry kick through its fine wood notes.
In blind tasting, one would estimate Hibiki 12 in every instance to be older – no trace of new make or off-flavor can be tasted. The difference in age with the Hibiki 17 can only be noticed in the slightly lower complexity of the Japanese youngster. An additional exquisite Japanese whiskey which demonstrates the high class of whiskey culture in the land of the rising sun.
CHEERS i would say until next (our next dring) time....
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