Released to celebrate Suntory's 100th Anniversary, this limited edition bottling of Hibiki 21 Year Old is a delicate balance of several malt and grain whiskies, meticulously crafted to create a full orchestra of flavours and aromas. Rethinking the art of blending for this special release, Chief Blender Shinji Fukuyo chose to use Mizunara oak for maturation as a sign of respect for Japanese heritage, rather than the more traditional sherry cask. The final blend is an exploration of how a single detail can alter the whole alchemy, creating this extraordinary whisky. Bottled at 43% abv.
The nose is refined and elegant with top notes of kumquat and jasmine, and a hint of soothing Japanese incense. The palate brings a subtly sweet floral flavour alongside spiced Japanese sandalwood and agarwood notes, before a long and deep finish of Mizunara woodiness.