Hibiki harmony sakura11/19/2023 ![]() There is some good news regarding this Japanese whisky classic–it still isn’t cheap exactly (usually around $200 per bottle), but it seems to be more attainable than it was just a year or two ago. Here are some of the best Japanese whiskies you can find now, in both the true Japanese whisky and world whisky categories. “As the industry matures and the regulations are recognized, there will be less brands ‘faking it until they make it.’ It will be an evolution, a curve, until we reach a level of transparency all the way to the consumer.” After all, that’s all whisky fans are asking for, just to know what exactly is in the bottle, which seems like a pretty reasonable request. “Even though Japanese whisky is growing as a category, it is quite small compared to other global whisky categories,” he said. And Nikka, the other big producer, has updated its website to reflect which expressions can be called Japanese whisky and which are world whiskies.Įlliott firmly believes that these new standards will benefit the industry as a whole. To its credit, Suntory has been a supporter of the new regulations, even though the bottlings from its Yamazaki, Hakushu, and Chita distilleries already meet the qualifications of true Japanese whisky. Chichibu is another distillery that touts its “world blends,” which are a marriage of whisky from the same five countries as Ao. This is not to say that the practice of sourcing whisky from other countries to blend together is inherently a bad thing, but these rules will ensure more transparency by labeling this type of whisky as “world whisky.” Suntory has embraced this title with its Ao whisky, and the brand tells you exactly which distilleries the blend comes from on its website (Scotland, America, Canada, Ireland, and Japan). Get the latest intel on which bottles of booze are worth your hard-earned cash. It protects those who have invested in actual distilleries, stills and the like, as opposed to those who are only bottling in Japan and sourcing finished spirits from other countries.” “The new JSLMA regulations allow for a more level playing field for all producers. “Opportunistic companies who have benefited from the lack of regulation or enforceable definition of Japanese whisky will no longer be able to deceive a consumer into buying what they believe to be Japanese whisky,” wrote Elliott in an email. But since it technically meets the TTB definition of whiskey here in the US, it can be labeled as such (more about this later, because there are some good rice whiskies out there). They can also make “whisky” out of rice, which according to Elliott is really considered barrel-aged shochu in Japan and made under license for that category, not whisky. Producers can import whisky distilled anywhere in the world, bottle it in Japan, and call it Japanese whisky. The reason for this change is that up until now, that bottle of Japanese whisky you paid a premium for might not actually contain whisky made in Japan. When a Bottle of Costco Bourbon Is Something More.The Hands Down Best Booze to Drink Right Now.The Hands-Down Best Single Malt Scotch to Drink.After a period of trial and error, Fukuyo found that the grain whiskies finished in the Sakura cask best elevated the overall balance. It is this special relationship ? harmony ? that inspired me to create this blend.”Īchieving the right balance and orchestration proved to be a great challenge from the start since the Sakura cask is one with strong character that can easily become overbearing. “There have been many experiments with malt and grain whisky components, and we found that there was a special alchemy between the grain whiskies and the Sakura cask. “I have been mesmerized by the Sakura cask for the last five years now due to its symbolism, but also because of its distinctive, subtly floral and spicy aroma and flavor notes,” says Fukuyo. ![]() The Sakura cask was one that intrigued Fifth Generation Chief Blender Shinji Fukuyo. ![]() Constantly pushing the boundaries of what Japanese Whisky can be, the House of Suntory continues to explore and experiment with various wood types. Hibiki is a harmonious blend of various malt and grain whiskies from Suntory’s Yamazaki, Hakushu and Chita distilleries. ![]() Hibiki Blossom Harmonycaptures this joyful spirit by blending a rare selection of whiskies finished in Sakura wood casks with diverse matured malt and grain whiskies to create this particular Hibiki. Sakura Blossomseason in early spring has always been an occasion for celebration in Japan, with many gathering around the beautiful flowering Sakura trees that inspire the Japanese to appreciate life as it blooms. ![]()
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