Hibiki 12 Year

Participated in a vertical tasting of Hibiki: Enjoyable 1.5oz pours of Harmony ($10), 12 year ($22.50), and the 21 year ($75). The 12-year-old offers the best value. Harmony was not to my liking (63/100), and the 21 (review coming) didn't significantly improve enough to justify its triple price. NOSE: Sherry, or is it? There's a distinct Asian plum scent due to some Japanese technique! This was partially aged in casks previously holding plum liqueur. Orange marmalade. Apple juice. Floral, as expected from Japanese whisky, cherry blossoms. Indeed, terroir exists. It's not a characteristic of the spirit, but of our perception. PALATE: Incredibly smooth. Like savoring a cloud. Compared to Harmony, this highlights the difference between a subtle whisky (the 12-year-old) and one that's barely there (Harmony). Plums, oranges, apples, and flower petals are again prominent, but perfectly complemented by oak, vanilla, and honey. The spice leans towards cinnamon, but is very mild. The grain components are clearly well-aged and provide a good foundation. FINISH: Plums linger, but never become overwhelming or unwelcome. The fruity sweetness gradually shifts to slightly sour and bitter; a subtle invitation to take another sip. I don't mind this at all. VERDICT: Nothing truly stands out in this dram. It's a pleasant scene rather than a captivating narrative. The price before the Yamazaki surge was $50-60. Double that? Perhaps still justifiable. Quadruple that? Absolutely not. Bottles are now around $200, and I'm not interested in investing. For drinking purposes, it's not worth $200. SCORE: 82/100.

It is likely that the 12-year-old has been largely superseded by the NAS "Harmony" expression and will become harder to find. That being said, this is one of my preferred whiskies. It presents as a solid grain scotch with significant fruity characteristics. The plum on the nose is rich, and tangerine is prominent on the palate. It has a pleasing texture and body in the mouth. The bottle design is also remarkable. This used to be available for $70. I'm uncertain of its current market value if a bottle were located, but it has likely increased considerably in price, mirroring the trend for most Japanese whiskies over the past five years. It's an obvious choice if you happen upon a bottle at a reasonable cost.

It's a shame they don't make this anymore since it's a truly excellent whiskey. The aroma is intensely fragrant and full of unexpected elements, clearly signaling a sweeter whiskey. Your tastebuds will confirm this, as sweetness is the first thing to reach your tongue. The conclusion is weak and fades fast, but it remains an excellent whiskey regardless. AROMA: Rose petals, plums, peaches, almonds, marzipan, maraschino cherries, nutmeg, faint nori TASTE: Mandarin oranges, ripe plums, brown sugar, baked pears, canned peaches, honey CONCLUSION: Oak, sea salt, lychee Rating: 88/100 Grade: B+ Amazing - I always want some on hand.

Nose has ginger, overripe bananas, butterscotch, and vanilla. The palate presents bananas, caramel, a spicy ginger kick, subtle smoke, vanilla, and butterscotch. It finishes with a medium, smooth mouthfeel, featuring butterscotch and mild smoke. Overall, it's quite pleasing. The aroma is superb and the taste follows suit. The end is decent, though I'd prefer it to linger more. The banana presence on the nose and palate is very appealing. It's a shame this is no longer produced; I won't encounter it again. At around $80, it would be an ideal everyday pour.

Lovely floral aroma, like a summer evening in a botanical garden. A taste reveals lemon, custard, and a touch of spice. The finish is lengthy, sweet, and malty. Oddly, I tried this after the 21-year-old on the weekend, forgetting I had both samples, so I missed the chance to compare them directly. Undoubtedly, the 21-year-old is in a different league, but this is a solid example of a floral style I enjoy almost as much as peat monsters.

The nose is fruity (perhaps apples/oranges rather than plum), with hints of biscuits, a pleasant nutty sweetness, and herbal tea. If chamomile is your thing, prepare for an intense experience! The floral notes combined with honey are delightful. I went to considerable effort and expense to acquire this bottle online, paying $130 USD. Was it an impulsive purchase? Possibly. However, it is a delicious drink. Cheers!