Is this the best dram i have drank on 2018?, so far it is. Let me start saying that i had this sample for a long time waiting for a special time and i have decided that my whisky No. 300 is going to be the world's famous Hibiki 21yo, but i cant have that one without going on the 17yo first, so this, my whisky No. 299 is the also world's famous Hibiki 17yo. Easily one of the best blended whiskies i have ever had. Bottled at 43%abv, deep gold color. Lets start with its main feature: it is super complex. On the nose, smells wonderful: Dark dried cake, wedding cake, Red fruits, very Winey, Berries; Impalpable sugar, cake custard cream. Wonderfully complex so sweet, Must have been seasoned in sherry casks due to its profile on the nose. After some minutes, red apple juice and Creme brulee. The empty glencairn leaves notes of Sweet Quince (in Ecuador we call it membrillo dulce, google it) and blackberry jam. It is a dessert. On the palate it is imperative to have the more quantity of sips as possible since it changes and changes with every sip. First sip (without having anything to eat or drink in a couple hours) (yes, i prepared myself for this) which is suppossed to be harsher than the rest of the sips, is Hot, Spicy, Oaky, Sugary but exceptionally smooth. The rest of the sips is where everything goes wild. Orange, Caramel, Cough syrup. For a hot/oaky dram it is very pleasant. Super delicious sensation, Ashes are also there, Hints of smoke, Hints of brown sugar; Mostly oaky but very refined. Bitter sherry, Almonds and also pepper. Incredibly complex as you can see. Aftertaste has a ginger mixed with sugar syrup note, finish is very very long, mouth-full, powerful but very lovely. Mouth watering. Spicy delight behind teeth. You wish this was food. You wish you could eat this dram rather to drink it. It is simply amazing. Overall, 100 over 100 is the only score i can give it, having a 25/25 on the nose, palate, finish and balance. KANPAI! (slaintè in japanese)