Hibiki 12, 17, & 21 Japanese Whiskies Reviewed

[@carlosdurazo1329]

I can't believe I received a HIBIKI 17 as a gift. The person who gave it to me kept it at home unopened for 6 years after bringing it from Japan. He told me "I don't drink whisky, and I see how you enjoy it when you describe it." Instead of opening it, I opened a current HIBIKI to celebrate it and for that person and I to have an "idea" of what 17 could be. Regards from México!

[@thoefen]

I was gifted a Hibiki 21 about 10 years ago for my birthday when I decided to share with all my friends that night. Crying right now.

[@LiquorHound]

At least it’s a memory you’ll never forget. 🙂 Cheers! 🥃

[@underflo43tky]

That stuff is incredible.

[@Papershields001]

Im flying ANA first class from SFO to Tokyo in August and they have Hibiki 17 on the flight. I can’t wait to get that. I need to learn to appreciate whiskey’s a bit more before I go.

[@jamtea573]

The 12 is absolutely amazing for the price it retailed at when it was a regular bottle at RRP, it definitely punched well above it's weight. Such a shame that these all effectively turned into inaccessible offerings and were replaced. I'd love to see a side by side with the Nikka equivalents though.

[@rdh5961]

Great review. I'm a big fan of Japanese whiskey and was excited to see this.

[@underflo43tky]

I lived in Japan and Hibiki is my fave. I have a bottle of Hibiki 17 but doubt I can open it. I have drank 21 on a few occasions. That stuff is incredible. I have some Hibiki NAS bottles which also have gotten too expensive.Unfortunate post 2015 the prices of these skyrocketed and availability became difficult.

[@GAUDIOPHILE]

Before Covid lockdowns Binny’s in Chicago used to ship They had the Hibiki 12 for $60 sadly I only ordered one bottle an amazing dram. Sometimes you can find Harmony locally but it’s rare to see it.

[@elmushaw2367]

Dewars Japanese smooth 8yr.Yamazaki 12yr. NIKKA yoichi, nikka miyagikyo, NikkaPuremalt, nikka Coffey malt, Taketsuru pure malt ❤👌😎

[@elmushaw2367]

Happy fathers day LiquorHound & everyonee!! 👍 👌💪🍻🥃👍😎

[@yokosomike]

Found a bottle of Hibiki 21 here in Tokyo the other day for ¥99800… went back a few days later…. Gone.! Nov 23.

[@davidf2281]

I bought a bottle of the 12 in 2016 for £85 (about $100). Still the most expensive bottle I've ever bought. It was fine, but would I pay like $600 today? No! Anything over $100 and you're not paying for the quality of the spirit; you're just paying for rarity and bragging rights. All IMO, of course.

[@vktravellog1242]

The people have spoken and its not overhyped! Cant find it anywhere and it triples in value!

[@carped8566]

I have a bottle of Hibiki 21 i bought in Japan on accident. Not sure how to sell it

[@LiquorHound]

There’s some auction houses in Europe that I see some go through. Cheers!

[@pokes986]

I tell people that if they want to try Japanese whiskey at a lower price they should try Metallica Blackened... it's very similar to Yamazaki or Hibiki. Thankfully i was smart enough to see ahead of the curve with Yamazaki 18 and bought 4 cases back when it's was $65 and no one knew what it was lol... still have all 4 cases sealed. Not for sale

[@yansu9986]

How long ago u can get a yanazaki 18 for $65?? What year?

[@salvarecord]

great review ❤

[@LiquorHound]

Thank you!

[@karldunne5595]

My favourite whisky is King George V...(John Walker)....😎🙏👍

[@underflo43tky]

How do you find those Nikka Coffee malts? Are they worthwhile?

[@LiquorHound]

I actually really like the Nikka Coffey Malt and thinks it’s a good buy at $75-$85. it’s available here in Texas (usually at the bigger stores). Cheers!

[@underflo43tky]

@@LiquorHound I do see a bottle near me around $60-$70 which is not outrageous. I used to see it in Tokyo for about that much. How do you prefer to drink it?

[@GregsWhiskyGuide]

Interesting approach of those discontinued ones, Chris....I tried all 3 (still raving a bit one day to try the 30 yo but "forget it", price for a dram would be too ridiculous) but own only the 12 yo as a bottle...I struggled with all three at some points in tastings over the years (batch variation + variation inside the bottle sometimes quite important-the 12 yo for instance, for me lost its initial dryness over time, despite the bamboo filtering), but my favorite remains the 21 yo when a good batch, as you said, not one that emphasizes too much the peat...Cheers !

[@NorwegianViking86]

It is about 80 bucks in sweden

[@vktravellog1242]

The japanese took out the swiss in mechanical watch accuracy, the Japanese took out the USA auto market with Toyota, the Japanese now taking Scotland on!

[@matthewjoyce1059]

Can you recommend a single cask, cask strength, Scottish malt or two that you think dominates these?

[@LiquorHound]

Mature Signatory Vintages (wide shouldered bottles) that are over 18 years old will most likely do the trick. Cheers!

[@TMike293]

Could JW blue hold up to these on it own?

[@LiquorHound]

So it’s a bit complicated - given that all of them have dropped in quality from their early releases. If it was a 90’s JW Blue, I’d say yes (even against these older bottlings of Japanese whiskies). A newer Blue would not fare as well, but I think you’d find a similarity in the peat levels of the blends. Cheers!

[@scottyblog]

Yes, there are scammers out there. CHINESE FAKES OF THESE ARE COMMON. I recall seeing this when I was in China. Best to buy from a reputable Japanese dealer. I’ve had the 12 and the 17 but never the 21. Maybe next time I travel to the Far East.

[@vktravellog1242]

Is it just me or are these reviewers high or something? How in the heck can you taste all those flavors?

[@ccuellar6212]

Japanese whiskies are a shell of their former selves.

[@scottyblog]

That’s true. Stick got picked clean a few years ago. Quite a number of them aren’t even Japanese. They blend stock from Scotland to meet demand.