Hibiki Japanese Harmony

/ / Other Whisk(e)ys, Review /

Hibiki Japanese Harmony Suntory Whisky
43% ABV
$65
Website
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What the Distillery Says:
Hibiki was created to be the paragon of the Suntory blend. The name Hibiki literally means “resonance” in Japaneses, and reflects the Suntory Corporate philosophy to “live in harmony iwht people and nature.” Hibiki celebrates Japanese nature and the subtleties found in the 24 seasons of teh traditional calendar, reflected in the 24 facets of its bottle design. Hibiki is a harmonious blend of innumerous malt and grain whiskies from Suntory’s distilleries, which are meticulously blended to create a full orchestra of flavors and aromas. The Hibiki Japanese Harmony is the epitome of the Hibiki blend. Subtle, noble and harmonious, Hibiki Japanese harmony is a perfect introduction to Japanese Whisky and the award winning House of Suntory Whisky.

Luminous. Delicate. A transparency that unveils complexity.

Color: amber
Nose: rose, lychee, hint of rosemary, mature woodiness, sandalwood
Palate: honeylike sweetness, candied orange peel, white chocolate
Finish: subtle, tender long finish, with hint of Mizunara (Japanese oak)

What Richard Says:
Nose: This one needs a lot of time for the nose to open up. Initially it smells great from across the table but not much when you nose it directly. Give it time and it shows rose oil and honey while walking in the woods right after it rains. Plum pudding and cloves.
Palate: Delicate, almost effervescent sweetness. Poached pears dusted in cocoa powder.
Finish: Drawn out with a light spiciness playing off the oak.
Comments: This is fine whiskey but it doesn’t really stand up to the 12 year old. The pricing on the two is very close and I think you would do yourself a favor to just go ahead and get the aged stated Hibiki.
Rating: Stands Out

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Taketsuru 12 Year

/ / Other Whisk(e)ys, Review /

Taketsuru Pure Malt 12 Year Old Nikka Whisky
40% ABV
$60 to $70
Website
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What the Distillery Says:
Malt whisky is distilled exclusively from barley malt, and is considered to be the forefather of all other types of whisky. In general, it is divided into single malt whisky (several malt whiskies from a single distillery vatted together) and pure malt whisky (malt whisky from several distilleries vatted together).

What Richard Says:
Nose: Green, as in vegetal with green apple peel, not young.
Palate: Light, and drinkable but somewhat bland.
Finish: Sharp black pepper spiciness with just a hint of the time spent in wood.
Comments: The first Nikka release to hit the U.S. a couple of years ago did not blow my socks off like the whiskies Suntory entered the market with. I find this Taketsuru to be bland and uninspiring. It’s not off putting but seem to be made more for mizuwari than straight enjoyment. For upwards of $70 for this blended malt I would recommend beating down your curiosity and spending less money on a better blended malt from Compass Box.
Rating: Average

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Nikka Coffey Grain

/ / Other Whisk(e)ys, Review /

Nikka Coffey Grain Whisky
45% ABV
$60 to $65
Website
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What the Distillery Says:
This Grain Whisky is distilled in a “Coffey still”, which is a very traditional and rare patent still Nikka imported from Scotland in 1963. The Coffey still produces a complex whisky with a mellow and sweet taste originating from the grain itself. Please enjoy the uniqueness of this whisky which Nikka offers to the connoisseurs.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Creamy and floral with a sharpness that reminds me most of young bourbon all with an herbal back note.
Palate: Deliciously creamy like a lovely vanilla custard enhanced by a light caramel sweetness.
Finish: This finishes a little hotter and spicier than you would expect going through the nose and palate.
Comments: I’ve called other whiskeys “ridiculously drinkable” in the past but this sets a whole new standard. This delicious little beauty from the land of the rising sun goes down like water. A whiskey for fans of scotch, Japanese whisky, and bourbon.
Rating: Must Try

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Ardbeg Supernova

/ / Islay, Review, Scottish Whisky /

Ardbeg Supernova Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
(2015 release)
54.3% ABV
$180
Website
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What the Distillery Says:
Ardbeg Supernova is one of the peatiest whiskies on Earth. Yet it is also intensely spicy and unfathomably sweet. Truly a mystery of the universe.

This final, fleeting Committee bottling of Ardbeg Supernova heralds the culmination of Ardbeg’s experiment in space. Its release coincides with the publication of Dr Bill Lumsden’s highly anticipated White Paper on the mysteries of zero gravity maturation.

TASTING NOTES

A big bang of peat… then heavenly sweet… with a lingering trail of smoke.

Colour: Shimmering pale gold
Nose: A shower of peppery, aromatic herbs shoots through the air, scattering particles of effervescent perfume. In its wake, smoked fruits, briny seaweed and fennel. The sensation comes full circle with the earthy, grounding aroma of vetiver root. Add a few drops of water and luscious linseed oil comes to the surface, sending wafts of sweet smoked toffee, brazil nuts and soot into the atmosphere.
Taste: At 100ppm, the peat is firing on all cylinders, with blasts of spice, salted caramel and billowing smoke. And then it’s back to the laboratory, where antiseptic lozenges, medicinal notes and zingy aniseed intermingle with dark tar and intense chilli-spice.
Finish: Prepare for a long, lingering, peppery aftertaste that goes on and on and on…

What Richard Says:
Nose: You know I find it easier to distinguish between different Islay distilleries by nose than any other small clustered whisky making area. Clearly this is an Ardbeg. A richer, nutty, earthier peat.
Palate: Crisp sweetness like salted caramel candies with a sooty, peppery medicinal quality that is more appealing than it sounds.
Finish: Antiseptic and dry. Evaporated Chloraseptic spray.
Comments: So this year’s release is to commemorate the completion of Dr. Bill Lumsden experiment on the impact of outer space on the maturation of whisky. If you’re really geeky then you can try to find his white paper (which we had previously linked to, but Ardbeg no longer hosts the file – boo!) Personally, I’m a bit more interested in the whisky. 😉 And interesting this one really is. I find Ardbeg to be a more polarizing malt than most. For those that like Ardbeg I think you will really enjoy this. For the rest of you it’s an almost $200 chance you might not want to take.
Rating: Stands Out

We would like to thank The Narrative Group for sending us a sample for review.

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Hakushu 12 Year

/ / Other Whisk(e)ys, Review /

The Hakushu Single Malt Whisky Aged 12 Years
43% ABV
$65
Website
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What the Distillery Says:
HAKUSHU: THE VARDANT JAPANESE WHISKY

From Suntory’s mountain forest distillery, nestled deep in Mt. Kaikomagatake, Hakushu is the fresh and gently smoky single malt whisky with herbal notes that is the revelation of Japanese single malts.

Straight from the untouched forests, mountains and pure waters of the Southern Japanese Alps, it is no wonder that Hakushu is a “green and fresh” whisky, praised by the most curious whisky connoisseurs and lovers of gastronomy.Its crisp and vibrant feel, unique in a single malt, enlivens and liberates your senses.

Green with herbal notes.

Color: champagne gold
Nose: basil, pine needle, green apple
Palate: sweet pear, mint, kiwi
Finish:green tea, subtle smoke

What Richard Says:
Nose: “Green” comes to mind. Green grass, green herbs, green fruits, green conifers. At the very back is just the smallest bit of peat poking around. As it opens I get orange blossom honey.
Palate: Lovely fruity sweetness with again that wisp of smoke. Sweetened lime juice, honeysuckle, and herbal tea.
Finish: Long and warm with a nutty spice.
Comments: Wow. I don’t think I’ve ever had my opinion change so much on a whiskey before. When I first had this a couple of years ago I really didn’t like it. I tried it a few times and it never took. Revisiting it recently from like stock and this one is really hitting my sweet spot. It’s a fresh and vibrate whisky with an approachable sweetness that carries just a hint of smoke. Damn, I’ve overlooked this one too long.
Rating: Stands Out

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