Suntory Hibiki 21 Years Old

Hibiki 21 Years Old from Suntory is a multiple award winner and comes in many forms.

World Whiskies Awards:

- World's Best Blended Whisky 2010, 2011, 2013, 2016

- Best Japanese Blended 2014, 2015

- Best Japanese Blended 21 Years And Over, 2009, 2012

Other awards have been won at the International Spirits Challenge and the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

The Hibiki 21 above is the Kacho Fugetsu 2015 Limited Edition released in a limited quantity of 2,000 bottles. There was an earlier bottle released with a similar theme.

The above bottle is the Mount Fuji Edition released in 2014 to commemorate Mount Fuji being added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. 2,000 bottles were produced. There were some bottles released with a box made of Cypress wood.

It is uncertain how many of the above boxes were released. The above commands a premium price above the already rare limited editions I've mentioned.

There have also been limited releases of Hibiki 21 in various ceramic decanters. I have yet to get 1 of these in my collection. I have seen more than a dozen different ceramic designs on the web.

Tasting notes from reviewers:

https://www.masterofmalt.com/whiskies/suntory-hibiki-21-year-old-blended-whisky/

Tasting Note by The Chaps at Master of Malt

Nose: Sweet, caramalised nuts, some lemon acidity, blackcurrants and pears with vanilla, dark toffee and rich sherry spice.

Palate: Oak, dark cherry and sweet caramel notes, buttery with a wisp of smoke and some wood spice.

Finish: Long, with a hint of smoke.

Overall: A fantastic Japanese whisky.

http://scotchaddict.com/hibiki-japanese-harmony-tasting-notes-review.html

Tasting Notes:

• Nose: Floral sweetness, emphasis on the floral, some pine and sandalwood
• Palate: Caramelized honey akin to sherry (it’s one of the sweetest I can remember), candied orange, cinnamon (think about the baking area of your spice drawer… that whole smell of cinnamon, nutmeg, etc), rosemary, a little smokiness that surprised me
• Finish: Medium finish and clean, some dark chocolate sweet bitterness, lingering honey