Japanese Harmony

Hibiki, meaning 'resonance', was created by second-generation master blender Keizo Saji in 1989 as a distinctly Japanese take on blended whisky. Japanese Harmony, released in 2015, represents a no-age-statement chapter in which Suntory's blending team draws malt whisky from Yamazaki and Hakushu distilleries alongside grain whisky from Chita – all Suntory-owned facilities. The spirit is aged in five cask types: American oak, sherry, and the rare Japanese Mizunara oak.

This is a light, approachable blend that does not attempt to replicate Scotch but instead pursues its own character. The nose carries honey and candied orange peel, with white chocolate undertones. The palate is smooth and measured, with gentle baking spice and fresh oak. The finish is brief but pleasant – a whisky that favours balance over lingering intensity, embodying the concept of 'wa', or harmony, where no single element overwhelms.