Hibiki Japanese Harmony Review: 'Essentially a Birthday Gift to the World'

When you think of Japanese Whisky, the Suntory distillery undoubtedly comes to mind. It is a true pioneer in the realm of this golden drink, being credited with one of the most famous Japanese blends: Hibiki Japanese Harmony. Discover how this elixir of the gods weaves its way through your senses in this Hibiki Japanese Harmony review.

The Hibiki blend is a mix of numerous different malt and grain whiskies. These ingredients weren't simply tossed into a barrel by Suntory, instead, a careful selection process was carried out to ensure perfect harmony.

The drink was created in 1989 to celebrate the 90th anniversary of House of Suntory, showcasing the artistry of Suntory’s techniques. Hibiki Japanese Harmony was envisioned to be appealing to the eye, nose and palate, perfect and smooth like a well-made birthday cake.

The result is one of the most prestigious and celebrated Japanese whiskies in the world: Hibiki Japanese Harmony.

Hibiki is essentially a birthday gift from Suntory to the world. The distillery has positioned Hibiki as a reflection of Japanese nature and its artistic side. This is particularly evident in the bottle, which is truly exceptional.

The bottle's neck is short and adorned with a label, whereas a glass top encloses the cork. The bottle itself has 24 facets, symbolizing time. The label, proudly displaying the name Hibiki - meaning echo or resonance - gleams in the center of the bottle.

A bottle filled with meaning indeed, but also one that looks splendid in any liquor cabinet. It doesn't resemble a standard bottle, but appears more like a pristine, luxurious decanter, showcasing the drink within.

With Hibiki swirling in the glass, the first thing you notice is the whisky's beautiful light golden color. Its sweet fragrance of vanilla and rosemary tickles your nose, a hint of spices subtly lingers in the background.

Even before you take the first sip, the Suntory drink is anything but unpleasant. It's akin to those first few dates, leading up to the moment you are finally allowed to kiss your new love.

First, you get to cherish the delightful aroma of this Japanese drink, and then you finally receive that kiss from the golden drink. This kiss instantly has a rich sensation.

On one hand, you taste the smoky elements from the Mizunara barrels where the whisky has aged, on the other, you experience a sweet honey flavor interlaced with a slightly tart citrus that clearly originates from the orange peel.

The flavor profile of the Hibiki is just as rich as the number of whiskies included in the blend. It's like a Japanese angel dancing on your tongue. The taste of alcohol is never overpowering, all flavors subtly merge with one another.

The only downside to this Japanese blend, if you can even call it a downside, is that the finish is rather light and doesn't linger very long. The whisky fades from your taste buds as smoothly as it introduces itself when you first sniff it, making way for the next sip.

With the Hibiki Japanese Harmony, Suntory offers a drink that has placed Japan on the map once and for all. This golden liquid is a must-have for the seasoned whisky drinker’s cabinet, but it's also a great pick for newcomers. The sweet taste is not overwhelming, but embodies what Hibiki represents in the whisky world: harmony.

+ Beautiful bottle

+ Delicious sweet aroma

+ Subtle blend of flavors

- Finish is a bit on the light side