Tastes

Nose: The aroma presents cherry blossoms and an abundance of ripe, tropical fruits. There's a touch of dark chocolate, plum, dark honey and brown sugar, accompanied by a bit of crème brûlée. A sharp acetone note is noticeable, reminiscent of pear and red apples. Adding a few drops of water diminishes these notes. There’s no perfumed scent from the mizunara influence that i was expecting but overall, the whisky smells pleasing. Palate: On the palate, here is where it takes a turn. It’s very sharp and spicy, with hints of honey, brown sugar, and caramel. The tropical fruit notes are present but overshadowed by the sharpness. This sharpness indicates a very young whisky, which is pretty disappointing for a very expensive NAS bottle. Even with a bit of water, the sharpness persists, making it a letdown. Finish: The finish is virtually nonexistent and doesn't live up to expectations. Nothing much to write here. It leaves a lemon citrus note but otherwise lacks depth and is very short. It's probably one of the worst finishes I've experienced. Considering the price, I would not recommend this whisky to anyone. I would happily choose Nikka From the Barrel, which I consider one of the best affordable yet wonderful Japanese whiskies, over this one. Overall: Beautiful nose, but a very thin and disappointing palate, its just too sharp. The finish is non existent. Try a sample at a bar and decide for yourself before investing on an expensive bottle.

One of my all time favorite bourbons. Great for mixing and sipping. Makes excellent Old Fashioned. Nose: Opens with rich oaky and vanilla notes, mixed with hints of pencil shavings from the virgin oak. There's orange citrus and a little nectarines, with a touch of ginger and clove spice. Leather notes appear before water is added. A few drops of water bring out a refreshing menthol candy and mint. Palate: It offers a good mouth coating and isn’t overly sweet. You’ll taste salted caramel and vanilla, with subtle hints of honey and mint. The flavor rounds off with a refreshing subtle orange in the background. Finish: Surprisingly medium to long. It leaves you with notes of lime (not the fruit), oak, spice, and a minty freshness, the freshness stsys for a long time. A little touch of tobacco. The lingering spice and dried orange citrus add a nice final touch.

Nose: The whisky opens with delightful notes of strawberry marmalade, slight smoke, pear, acetone, oak, and vanilla. Palate: It tastes sweet and jam-like, with dried fruits like figs and apricots, along with a hint of lemon peel. Thanks to the barrel strength, the mouthfeel is silky and viscous. Finish: The finish is medium long, featuring spice from grains, grapefruit citrus, and a sweetness that slowly transitions to dark chocolate bitterness. Such a lovely blend. It’s affordable and tastes wonderful. A must in your cabin if you love whisky.

Nose: Starting off, it’s got a gentle peat presence, with mild smoke and an inviting mix of burnt butter and burnt sugar. There are delicious hints of chocolate malt biscuits and roasted nuts—think peanuts and walnuts. Give it another sniff, and you'll get more peat and that unmistakable hospital antiseptic and cigar scent. Adding water brings out slight floral notes, reminiscent of heather. Palate: This whisky’s got a slightly ashy character with dried fruits like figs and apricots mingling with rich chocolate from the oloroso sherry cask. It’s beautifully balanced, with a touch of sweetness and saltiness, a bit of brininess, and a nice hint of salted caramel. There’s a little vanilla and slight oak spiciness that feels just right. The sea salt and brine really bring everything together. Finish: Medium to long, with cigar smoke, leather, and salted caramel lingering on the sides of the tongue. There's a slight spice from the oak, and while I don’t smoke, it feels like having a bite of chocolate after a puff of a cigar. Overall: This Islay single malt is a real gem. It’s not overly peaty, which makes for a lovely, smoky experience. It paints a picture of enjoying chocolate and roasted nuts in an old library or near a cozy fire pit. Would’ve been fantastic if it was 46% ABV and unchill filtered, but it’s a great casual whisky nonetheless.

This is the first pour. Never judge a whisky by first pour. Nose: First pour brings fruity notes from the red wine casks—raisins, berries, and a hint of sea spray. It is a very shy whisky. After a 20-minute rest, the nose was still subtle, so I added water. It opened up to berry-flavored gummies. Gave it another 20 mins. Now it's giving off berry soda vibes. Palate: I like the palate more than the nose. Rich and mouth-coating. Lots of berries—raspberries, cherries—with a bit of chocolate, like a dessert. There's some spiciness that might be from its youth, and it feels like dark chocolate-covered fruits and gummies. Adding water makes it even better (dashes, 4ml in total). Finish: The finish isn’t as long as they claim on the box. I’d say it’s medium. It’s got a nice subtle bitterness, dryness maybe from tannins, with dried berries and dark chocolate, and a sweet licorice finish. You can feel the dryness here. Overall Impression: First pour shows promise with a complex nose and rich palate. The berries and chocolate make for a unique experience. The finish isn’t super long, but this whisky feels like it’ll reveal more with each pour. Definitely worth exploring further. Surprisingly i got no peat or smoke at all not even a hint of it. I will revisit this soon.

Nose: Right off the bat, you're hit with a strong oak presence—it's an oak bomb for sure. There's a lovely mix of vanilla and caramel in there too. As you keep sniffing, some fresh fruits start to peek through. Initially, it has a bit of a perfumey vibe, but give it a moment, and you'll notice some floral notes coming out. Adding a splash of water (about 2ml) really brings out these floral characters, some blue flowers i can’t name. Palate: The first sip is a burst of apples and papaya, with a slight burnt wood note, no it is not smoky. It's very malty, giving it a rich, full-bodied feel. The whisky has quite a spicyness and anise bitterness that balances the sweetness nicely. The mouthfeel is wonderful—slightly oily with cinnamon baking spices adding warmth and a bit of astringency to keep things interesting. Finish: The finish carries on with the oak and anise notes, leaving a pleasant warmth that lingers. It's medium to long, so you get to enjoy those flavors for a good while.

I feel like this whisky offers a complex and evolving experience, rewarding those who take the time to explore its layers. It took a while for me to like this whisky. I really had to put in some effort to appreciate it. However, it has started to grow on me, and now I enjoy the dram every time. Nose: The initial aroma is dominated by butter and buttered popcorn, followed by a medley of peaches, apples, or pears, and perhaps some tropical fruits. It's like a fruit basket at the first whiff. Adding a few drops of water brings out floral notes, and there's a distinct sea spray that fills your nostrils, followed by a hint of spice. Palate: The mouthfeel is good, with a spicy kick balanced by honey sweetness. There's a berries marmalade taste reminiscent of some grain whiskies, along with apples, citrusy lemon, and maybe a touch of orange peel. The texture is oily, and other flavors include raisins, cinnamon, and cloves. Finish: The finish is medium-long, with a tingling sensation in the mouth. There's a papaya bitterness, dark chocolate buttons, chocolate raisins, coffee and a hint of butter. Some licorice bitterness lingers and stays for a while until you rinse with some water. Suggestions: Gradually add water about 2-5ml.

Nose: The aroma is quite unique, with an unexpected hint of milk or cheese. Vanilla and a touch of sandalwood, likely from the Mizunara oak, come through gently. The scent is mild and soft, with notes of oak and gentle coconut, and no spice burn on the nose. Palate: On the palate, Yamazaki 12 is extremely smooth with no burn at all. It has a light but pleasant mouthfeel, featuring flavors of toffee and dried fruits like raisins, complemented by vanilla. There’s a good citrusy note with a subtle hint of cinnamon spice. Finish: The finish is short to medium, with a nice cedar aroma and gentle spice. Overall: While Yamazaki 12 is quite expensive, its worthiness of the price and hype is debatable. It might not be a whisky you’d want to splurge on repeatedly, especially considering there are other whiskies available at a fraction of the price that offer a better experience. However, Yamazaki 12 is still a good whisky that you should try at least once. The Mizunara oak adds interesting characteristics to the whisky. It’s recommended to try this whisky in a bar first to decide if it’s worth the investment for you.

Nose: The aroma is invitingly sweet and fruity, with prominent notes of apples, raisins, and orange peel. There's a delightful hint of white chocolate that adds a creamy undertone to the bouquet. Palate: On the palate, this whisky is a fruit-forward delight. The taste is dominated by juicy plums, reminiscent of fresh plum juice, complemented by dried fruits like raisins, dates, and figs. The smooth texture is enhanced by a subtle hint of cinnamon spice, making each sip a balanced and enjoyable experience. Finish: The finish is short to medium in length, leaving a sweet aftertaste with traces of honey and white chocolate. It's a pleasant conclusion to a well-rounded tasting journey. Overall: Hibiki Harmony is an enjoyable whisky that offers a harmonious blend of sweet and fruity flavors. While it may be a bit overhyped, it stands out as a good one-time purchase. The bottle itself is a work of art, adding a touch of elegance to any collection. I still prefer Nikka from the barrel to this.