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After mourning the loss of some big-name Japanese whiskies last year–namely Kirin’s Fuji-sanroku Tarajuku Genshu 50, Nikka’s Taketsuru Pure Malt 17, 21, and 25-years, and Suntory’s Hakushu 12-year and Hibiki 17-years–it was a welcome change to hear about the arrival of some new and exciting whiskies from Suntory as we enter 2021.
Kicking off the new whiskies revealed by Suntory on Friday is The Yamazaki Single Malt Limited Edition 2021, which is the first Yamazaki release to be aged in new Mizunara oak barrels.
Masterfully blended with a mix of carefully selected whiskies aged in new Mizunara oak barrels for over 12 years, the Limited Edition 2021 is said to have a smooth, velvety sweetness with bright fruit flavours and a well-balanced taste and aroma.
The next new release is related to the Suntory World Whisky Ao, which is a blend of five world whiskies produced in collaboration with Beam Suntory, an American company which is a subsidiary of Suntory.
Blended by Shinji Fukuyo, Suntory’s 5th-generation chief blender, this premium whisky brings the unique characteristics of the world’s five largest whisky-producing regions– Ireland, Scotland, the U.S., Canada, and Japan–together in one bottle. Said to be the world’s first blend of whiskies from these regions owned by the one company, Suntory’s Ao has been on the market for a while, but what makes this new release so special is the fact that it will now be available in 350-milliliter half-bottles so you can enjoy it “more easily at home”.
▼ Another brand getting a new-bottle release is Suntory’s Chita, which will also become available in 350-milliliter bottles.
Perhaps the most exciting announcement was the news that Hibiki, Suntory’s premium blended whisky brand, will be getting a new variety called Blossom Harmony. Designed to be used for gift-giving, this new whisky comes packaged in a gorgeous gift box decorated with sakura cherry blossoms.
Blossom Harmony blends Hibiki whisky with whisky finished in cherry barrels, making it the first Hibiki to be aged in sakura wood. This rare blend, only being made in limited numbers, is said to display a gorgeous aroma reminiscent of the blossoms that grow from the cherry tree, with mellow, harmonious flavours and a lingering yet refreshing finish.
Blossom Harmony is set to go on sale around Japan from May 25 at a recommended retail price of 8,000 yen. The Yamazaki Limited Edition 2021 will also be available at the same price nationwide from May 25, while the 350-milliliter Chita and Ao bottles will be sold from March 23 for 1,900 yen and 2,500 yen respectively.
Sources: PR Times
Read more stories from SoraNews24.
-- Suntory would like you to buy a three-million yen bottle of Japanese whisky
-- Three of Japan’s best whiskies are about to disappear as Nikka shortages loom
-- We visit the Suntory Yamazaki Distillery, the newly-renovated, boozy paradise
- External Link
- https://soranews24.com/2021/01/08/blossom-harmony-hibiki-is-the-newest-must-try-japanese-whisky/
8 Comments
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Monty
I love Hakushu, Yamazaki and Hibiki.
But Hakushu and Yamazaki dissapeared already in Liquor Shops.
In Ale House 82 in Akihabara you can still get a single shot for 620yen. They still have a few bottles in stock.
But they are not included in the happy hour.
When these new editions of Hibiki and Yamazaki come out, I am sure it will be damned expensive.
By the way, The Chita, is not so delicious.
robert maes
Ok, I will try, send me a bottle and I give you my opinion
Jimizo
The more expensive Japanese whiskies are good but don’t have anything particularly unique to justify the price tags for me. I usually drink Scotch or Irish and you can pick up a very decent bottle here for far less than ¥8,000. If you like blended, you can pick up a bottle of Old Parr for far less than Hibiki. If you like the really blow-your-socks-off peaty stuff, you can get a Laphroig 10 for about ¥5,000.
3RENSHO
I will have whatever you are having...!
englisc aspyrgend
Can’t say I have tried Japanese whiskey, primarily because it is rather expensive in the UK. Looked up Japanese whiskey from a supermarket chain and the one I saw was £58.00 a bottle (approx 8178 yen) tad too expensive for something I am not sure about. Will stick to Irish and Cotswold English whiskey.
h0nz4
What kinda BS marketing line is this? Does it mean you will get less to make it more affordable or what?
MotMotMot
AO is not worth the money. You'd think it would be a complex blend, but it turns out they've muted it too much to make the five styles of whisky work together. There's a lot better whisky you could buy for less.
kurisupisu
The writer has not a clue about whisky
Mentioning ‘Ao’ as “special” ?
It is so special that it usually stays on the shelf...,