I’ve been adding reviews to Distiller from the Barreled app that I’ve been using for a few years now to try and even them out. Tonight I posted the review for my 150th whisky and I made it for this wonderful Piece of Japanese artwork.
This marks my 150th whisky reviewed on Barreled, so to celebrate the occasion I decided to review a top shelf whisky.
Hibiki 21 is a blended Japanese whisky aged in a combination of American, European and Japanese oak. Bottled at 43% ABV and I have no info currently regarding any chill filtration or colorant. This pours a beautiful deep amber.
The nose is so very different than anything I’ve ever had before. Incredibly floral and savory. It’s like cherry blossoms wrapped up in undercooked bacon. Reminds me also of a cherry sausage that is made at one particular supermarket in northern Michigan. Marvelous polished oak. Floral honey. Sherry notes start to creep in. Warm apple and pear pies, raisins and sweet syrup. Warming wood spices and a baked potato covered in butter. Vanilla, caramel and molasses. Towards the end it takes on a slightly grassy note. Truly enigmatic and wonderful.
The palate starts full on sherry. Cherries, syrup and a thin layer of smoke. Old oak sanded smoothed and rubbed with orange oil. Vanilla, floral honey and chamomile. Buttery biscuits and a far off roasted corn note. Dangerously drinkable.
A light bodied mouthfeel, but so silky smooth and mouthwatering.
A medium long finish with sherried oak, orange oil and vanilla.
So smooth and flavorful without even a hint of alcoholic harshness. Sweet, savory and, again, smooth. Fully matured and layered with complexity. “Sadly”, I was only able to review a 1 oz sample instead of a 2 oz, but I would have been happy with a 1/4 ounce. I wish I could find and/or afford a full bottle, but at today’s prices and availability I doubt that will happen. Still it was a superb whisky deserving of its many accolades. A big thanks to @PBMichiganWolverine for getting that big promotion at work and celebrating by opening this rare whisky and providing me with a sample. Thanks buddy. 4.75
Cheers
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@ScotchingHard : I definately like the Yamazaki 18 better ( in fact, probably my top 3). But what I liked in this was exactly the nuanced softness---like cherry blossoms and sandlewood
I don’t get it. Just had it for a second time recently. It’s too soft and smooth for something so expensive. For the same price, yamazaki 18 was much more compelling for me. I never smelled sandalwood before, but I can imagine an old Asian temple and cherry blossoms.
It’s all good @PBMichiganWolverine. Just happy to have tried it al all. The floral notes were so powerful that if I did pick up on sandalwood it just confused me so I didn’t mention it.
On a related note---any of you guys got sandlewood in this? Besides smelling it a few times in Asian temples, this was the only other time I actually smelled it.
@Generously_Paul : in retrospect, I should've poured this one first rather than the Amrut Rye. Once I poured the 3 for the SDT, then the Amrut, I realized I had a space issue, not enough slots. So then I thought either this or the No Name, or a lesser amount of both.
I need to send Pranay my home address. :)