![]() Suntory whisky, since 1923 Photo: Suntory Whisky ![]() The focus is on aged expressions which, according to many online retailers and stores in Japan, sell out immediately after being placed on the shelves, both real and virtual. A recent feature by the Nikkei Asia Review showcased the huge sales growth Japanese whisky has experienced in the past decade. Expect the price of the Hibiki 17 to rise on the secondary market and bottles to become ever harder to find. The rise of shochu and the steep drop of whisky consumption in Japan during the 80s saw many producers reduce production output, a move that is costing the whisky world today. The blend must, after all, contain vintages aged 17 years or more. This is expected to change now that Suntory has decided to stop producing the expression, amidst shortages of aged stock. With each award both the price and demand for the Hibiki 21 has risen, making the 17 the last of the current Hibiki aged range that could be bought at a price that wouldn't break the bank. The Hibiki 21-Year-Old is by far the most globally renowned expression in the portfolio, having received the award for the "World’s Best Blended Whisky" on five separate occasions, at the World Whiskies Awards. ![]() While fans were saddened to see it go, the aged 17-, 21-, and 30-Year-Old bottlings remained to keep drinkers happy. ![]() The core range previously included the Hibiki 12 Year-Old, which was sadly discontinued in 2015, before the no-age Hibiki Harmony was introduced. The bottles are iconic, featuring 24 facets that represent the 24 small seasons of Japan and the hours in a day. Hibiki whisky is one of the most popular premium blended ranges to come out of Japan. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |