Hibiki Blossom Harmony Japanese Whisky 2022

Classification: Japanese Blended Whisky
Distillery: Suntory
Mashbill: Malt whiskies from Yamazaki and Hakushu and grain whisky from the Chita distillery
Age: NAS
Proof: 86
700ml bottle

This Hibiki is like walking into a spring festival in Kyoto—cherry blossoms in the air, someone handing you candied fruit, and a jazz trio playing just smooth enough that you forget they’re in the background.

On the nose, it’s downright gorgeous: honey, vanilla, citrus, raisins, cinnamon, ginger—layered with that syrupy sweetness from the Sakura cask. Floral and herbal hints drift through like perfume on a passing breeze. Honestly, you could stop at the nose and already feel like you got your money’s worth.

The palate? Still delicious, though less complex than the nose promised. Think chocolate, caramel, and pear—all drizzled in honey. Softer, sweeter, more restrained—like the nose’s extroverted older sibling decided to let the younger one have the spotlight.

The finish is delicate and medium-length, carrying juicy fruit notes, Mizunara spice, and that signature incense warmth Hibiki is famous for. It doesn’t demand attention, but lingers gracefully—like the guest at the party who slips out early but somehow leaves you talking about them all night.

In short: this Sakura-finished Hibiki is refined, gentle, and quietly enchanting. Not the boldest whisky in the room, but easily one of the most elegant—an understated reminder that sometimes beauty whispers instead of shouts.