The House of Suntory launches limited-edition blended whisky, Hibiki Blossom Harmony

The House of Suntory, the founding House of Japanese Whisky, is releasing Hibiki® Blossom Harmony™, a limited-edition blend featuring whiskies finished in Sakura casks.

The Sakura Blossom season in early spring has always been an occasion for celebration in Japan, with many gathering around the beautiful flowering Sakura trees that inspire the Japanese to appreciate life as it blooms. Hibiki Blossom Harmony captures this joyful spirit by blending a rare selection of whiskies finished in Sakura wood casks with diverse matured malt and grain whiskies to create this particular Hibiki.

Hibiki is a harmonious blend of various malt and grain whiskies from Suntory’s Yamazaki, Hakushu and Chita distilleries. Constantly pushing the boundaries of what Japanese Whisky can be, the House of Suntory continues to explore and experiment with various wood types. The Sakura cask was one that intrigued Fifth Generation Chief Blender Shinji Fukuyo.

“I have been mesmerized by the Sakura cask for the last five years now due to its symbolism, but also because of its distinctive, subtly floral and spicy aroma and flavour notes,” says Fukuyo. “There have been many experiments with malt and grain whisky components, and we found that there was a special alchemy between the grain whiskies and the Sakura cask. It is this special relationship – harmony – that inspired me to create this blend.”

Achieving the right balance and orchestration proved to be a great challenge from the start since the Sakura cask is one with strong character that can easily become overbearing. After a period of trial and error, Fukuyo found that the grain whiskies finished in the Sakura cask best elevated the overall balance, and the end result is a particularly distinctive expression of Hibiki. It begins with an enticing floral bouquet, followed by the signature Hibiki depth and complexity of honey, candied orange peel, jasmine and chocolatey decadence. The finish features surprising bittersweet spicy notes.

Meaning “Resonance” in Japanese, Hibiki embodies the Suntory philosophy To Create Harmony with People and Nature. As a House of Master Blenders, the House of Suntory has gone to great lengths to explore the breadth and depth of what Harmony can mean for a blend. Hibiki Blossom Harmony celebrates a particular kind of Harmony.

“As a limited edition, I wanted our Hibiki aficionados to enjoy a Hibiki they had never experienced before - something unexpected, something surprising,” says Fukuyo. “This is a Hibiki that celebrates a particular moment in your life, a harmony that blossoms. It would mean so much to me if you could enjoy it with someone special, someone who makes you blossom.”

TASTING NOTES: HIBIKI BLOSSOM HARMONY

Colour: Amber

Nose: Wafting floral scents, sakura, fragrant olive

Palate: Smooth mouthfeel, expanding fragrance, acacia honey, French pear and a refined sweetness suggestive of sakura mochi

Finish: Long-lasting rich and brilliant aftertaste

This limited-edition bottle will be available from the 18th October with a suggested RRP £175 and will be available at Master of Malt, The Whisky Exchange, Amathus, Milroys and Soho Wines. The expression is bottled at 43 percent ABV.

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