Hibiki 17 Year Old

This is one of the fines drops I have tried, Having tried, Royal Salute, Blue label at nearly 3 times the cost, I have to say the Japs could teach the Scotts a thing or too, how to do it better and cheaper, oh and the bottle. Superb! One of the best Malts you will try for the price.

I thought i saw blended whisky is it a blend or a malt blend??

It is a blend of both malt and grain whiskies from Suntory's three distilleries. Hope this helps! - The Chaps at Master of Malt -

This is a very full, rich and lingering whisky. A bit on the sweeter, dried-fruit end. Every time I poured a glass I was impressed by how amenable the Hibiki 17 was — Highly recommended! I did a full review on my blog at http://eronrauch.blogspot.com/2011/02/whisky-review-hibiki-suntory-17-year.html if you want more details!

I'm primarily a single malt drinker, so I wasn't expecting all that much from a blend. What a pleasant surprise! This was one of the nicest blends I've tried, and one I will keep on my shelf to share with my friends. It is very smooth, and finishes neatly. It is light, but surprisingly complex. A slight oak flavor with a little bit of smoke, but not over powering. Definately a keeper.

Exquisite. Enough said.

Exquisite. Enough said.

A review by Tommy Byrne Overall rating: 7,5/10 - Good and Unique As many western whisky enthusiasts, I discovered the Suntory whisky brand a few years ago thanks to Bill Murray’s sells pitch in Sofia Coppola’s Lost in Translations: “For relaxing times, make it Suntory time”. Having first tried the Yamazaki 12 years old Single Malt, I had huge expectations from the brand who made me forget it was not actually drinking a true scotch whisky. Swirling in my very favourite Glencairn glass, the old gold fluid already let you know you are dealing with an almost full body whisky. Starting with some dried bananas and apricots nosing notes, honeydew and pineapple soon appear after the first sip. While the toasted barley and dry fruits blends in with balance to an insinuation of toffee in the palate, I found it a little too sharp for a 17 years old whisky. However, the addition of a drop of water will definitely make up for it. Reaching the finishing line, we know we are dealing with a fine-aged product, it last remarkably in the mouth, reminding you that you are drinking a hundred dollar whisky. I’ve never been a strong fan of scotch-type blended whiskies; they always seem to lack of a true essence and hide their original personality. Why blend this sweet nectar with an obscure array of distilled spirits, when the angels delightfully take their shares in the untainted form? Then again, let’s be clear, the 17 years old version of Suntory Hibiki is a great product made with a thorough process by Japanese master blenders who have perfectly reproduced the style and character of a Speyside whisky to my sense. Being an unconditional devotee to Islay Malts, I think that a stronger hint of peat would really transform this whisky into what some have already branded it: “The best whisky in the world”.

very nice

Clean and fresh

I did not expect to like this as much as i have, sipping on some now. The nose is unique to anything I have had before - spice and floral blossom alongside pine and oak with beeswax, one of the most interesting noses that will have you inhaling it for a long time, there are tones of smoke, and leaf alongside notes of rich vanilla and citrus leaf. The taste is as good, an initial intense spice with chili leads into a more beguiling sensation of baked tropical fruits, bananas toffee, slight peaty smokiness which I wasn't expecting, more spice and eventual mellowing over well balanced cream, spice and fruit. I can't believe how good this is, almost as good as some of my favourite Scottish single malts! and better than a lot of the Scottish blends. Unbelievable...

Great whisky.....

This is my 2nd review of this whiskey, and for good reason. It's initial impact is citrus followed quickly by sweeter honey tones, the after taste lingers long enough to satisfy but short enough not to intrude. The Blend that's achieved puts a certain Blue Label to shame and, quite easily at that. I enjoy a peaty whiskey emensely, of which this isn't but it does deliver on every scale, the price you pay respects the drink you drink, if you're at all unsure, please take the plunge, if you're not happy ill come to yours and drink the remainder for you.

Wow! Highly aromatic! Love the nose. Taste is a rush of vanilla that dives into cocoa, sherry wood, and orange. It's finish is brief and dry - just the way I like it - with amaretto and the previous cocoa. Don't add any water, it ruins the aromatic complexity. Definitely one of my favorites!

Superb quality! Makes a good evening.......great.

The award goes to........

I go to Japan every year and buy this. Plus it's a lot cheaper there. Around $70 dollars.

Wonderful Ibiki and great website