Suntory 12 Years Hibiki

Details about this bottle Edit
1694
Yamazaki
Japan
12 Years
43%
0.7 l
Original bottling
Average tasting notes Tasting notes
Calculated from 14 Tasting Notes
i
Nosing
Fruit:
Sweet:
Sweet:
Plum:
Fruit:
Vanilla:
Plum:
Vanilla:
Honey:
Honey:
Pear:
Pear:
Zitrus:
Zitrus:
Herbs:
Floral:
Herbs:
Floral:
Barley:
Chocolate:
Orange:
Banana:
Nuts:
Grape:
Dark Chocolate:
Wheat:
Ginger:
Herb:
Pineapple:
Cinnamon:
Clove:
Almonds:
Oak:
Cherry:
Lemon:
Apple:
Spices:
Oak:
Almonds:
Grape:
Cherry:
Banana:
Ginger:
Wheat:
Barley:
Dark Chocolate:
Clove:
Cinnamon:
Malt:
Chocolate:
Malt:
Lemon:
Pineapple:
Spices:
Herb:
Apple:
Orange:
Tasting
Fruit:
Fruit:
Sweet:
Herb:
Zitrus:
Oak:
Oak:
Sweet:
Herb:
Zitrus:
Tropical Fruit:
Tropical Fruit:
Coffee:
Coffee:
Spices:
Malt:
Honey:
Honey:
Nuts:
Sherry:
Malt:
Spices:
Vanilla:
Apple:
Sherry:
Peat Smoke:
Peat Smoke:
Apple:
Pepper:
Vanilla:
Oil:
Pepper:
Oil:
Caramel:
Tobacco:
Floral:
Wheat:
Lemon Peel:
Pear:
Clove:
Alcohol:
Clove:
Herbs:
Pineapple:
Raisin:
Orange:
Wheat:
Pear:
Floral:
Tobacco:
Raisin:
Herbs:
Orange:
Banana:
Lemon Peel:
Plum:
Pineapple:
Alcohol:
Nuts:
Plum:
Banana:
Caramel:
Finish
Nuts:
Spices:
Spices:
Oil:
Oil:
Sweet:
Zitrus:
Fruit:
Malt:
Sweet:
Fruit:
Malt:
Coffee:
Peat Smoke:
Plum:
Orange:
Chocolate:
Pear:
Almonds:
Vanilla:
Herb:
Zitrus:
Orange:
Oak:
Oak:
Pear:
Almonds:
Plum:
Herb:
Peat Smoke:
Lemon Peel:
Coffee:
Vanilla:
Chocolate:
Nuts:
Lemon Peel:

Quality rating of this bottle

3.9 Rate
37
Tasting Notes 14

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22. Apr 2017
17. May 2015
30. Jan 2011
Davisscholar
23. Mar 2015
The introductory Hibiki, since welcome inclusion of the 12Y designation and wider availability, has slightly evolved along the assumed "European market taste" lines.

The old NAS version were much darker, woodier, showing a lot more Sherry cask and Yamazaki character - not unlike what the modern Hibiki 21Y tastes like. Almost more brandy-like, but almost impossible to find internationally.

This new 12Y focuses a lot more on the bright, floral grain notes that were always present in the blend, making it a lighter, spicier and more citrusy spirit nowadays. The great, grainy structure on the palate has remained, even though caramel was dialed back and perceived alcohol bite has increased.
Peat is only noticeable in the finish, and beautifully integrated.

An exceptional blend and magnificent ringer in any Scotch tasting. More widely available now and often very reasonably priced.
A perfectly unique and distinctive blend that can rival many comparable Scotch Blends.
01. May 2016
munter
16. Jan 2017
27. Apr 2016
rdacanay220
04. Apr 2015
01. Dec 2016
OliverE
16. Sep 2016