Hibiki is a luxury blended whisky brand. And for most of us, Hibiki Japanese Harmony is the only Hibiki we can get. 

This page explores every angle of this Japanese whisky. It’s part review with tasting notes, similar whiskies, and product info. And it also focuses on pricing and where to buy Hibiki Harmony. Finally, there is a price comparison section where you can shop around and buy Harmony at the best price. 

Use the table of contents below to jump to a specific section.

Hibiki Japanese Harmony Tasting Notes

Hibiki Harmony has a color between copper and amber.

It’s somewhat aromatic with a nice mix of fruity and floral notes. Specific notes include rose, orange and lemon peels, green apple, lychee, sandalwood, eucalyptus, and mint. 

The palate is where Hibiki Japanese Harmony wins over most drinkers. It’s creamy, semi-sweet, and very smooth. The finish has very little heat, as Harmony is only 43% ABV. 

Tasting notes include honeyed malt, butter, caramel, white chocolate, black pepper, ginger, vanilla, lavender, heather, faint brine, more citrus, golden raisin, apricot, and aloe.

Japanese Harmony is complex and balanced. But the flavor is subdued. 

Overall, Hibiki Harmony is a mellow and smooth blended whisky. It’s hard not to like. But it’s not rich or powerful either.

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What Whiskies are in Hibiki Harmony?

As a blended whisky, Japanese Harmony uses a variety of base spirits. All of these are from Suntory and its various distilleries.

The malt whisky components come from the Yamazaki and Hakushu distilleries. And the grain whisky is made at Chita. 

All three distilleries produce different flavor variations of whisky. Suntory often refers to these as Heavy Type, Medium Type, and Light Type. 

By volume, Chita grain whisky is the largest component of the blend. 

Japanese Harmony Cask Types

Hibiki uses many types of casks. American white oak-aged malt whisky is the backbone. Most of this comes from Hakushu, with Yamazaki playing a supporting role.

Chita grain whisky components are mostly aged in Spanish oak and plum wine casks. Some American white oak is used, as well. 

Malt whisky aged in Japanese mizunara is an important element in Hibiki whiskies. And the mizunara provides notes of sandalwood, aloe, and incense. Supposedly, the mizunara-aged malt whisky components are the oldest in the Hibiki Japanese Harmony blend. 

Sherry casks are a minor component of the Japanese Harmony blend. They are used for malt whisky and add color and dried fruit notes. 

Finally, a bit of peated malt whisky adds heather and saline notes to Hibiki Harmony. This portion is aged mostly in American white oak and Spanish oak. 

How Old is Hibiki Harmony?

Hibiki Japanese Harmony is a NAS whisky. NAS stands for non-age statement or no age statement. Suntory won’t say much about the ages of the component whiskies. But I think that Harmony is a blend of 5-20 year-aged whiskies, averaging less than ten years. 

How did I come up with this estimate? 

Well, Hibiki Harmony replaced Hibiki 12. Why? Because there wasn’t enough stock to meet demand. This means that Harmony is younger overall. 

The smooth flavor and amber-tinged color suggest older stocks are in the blend. Whiskies from 12-20 years are likely in small amounts. 

The majority of Hibiki Harmony’s blend is Chita grain whisky. You can taste its creamy, sweet, and fruity influence. This is likely to be the youngest component of the blend.

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Hibiki Harmony Price

Suntory replaced Hibiki 12 with the younger Hibiki Japanese Harmony. But they did not lower the price. And with the continued demand for Japanese whisky, Harmony has become more expensive. 

Retail Pricing

In the US, Japanese Harmony comes in a 750ml bottle. And the average retail price starts at around $100 pre-tax. Scanning Wine-Searcher, a few shops are charging $150. 

That’s a big range. Be sure to shop around! 

In the UK, Hibiki Harmony 70cl bottles currently sell from £70-£100. 

Restaurant Pricing

Suntory allocates a lot of its supply to restaurants and bars. This makes it easier to find Hibiki Harmony. And you can sometimes find it for a reasonable price. 

Wholesale prices across the US are not the same. Some markets are more expensive than others. Let’s assume a 750ml Hibiki Harmony costs $80 to look at bar pricing.

For a 1.5-ounce pour, a bar program selling Hibiki Harmony will likely charge between $18.88 and $31.47. That’s a cost range of 25-15%. 

Is Hibiki Harmony Worth the Price? 

It depends on who you ask. If you’re really into authentic Japanese whisky, Hibiki Harmony isn’t a bad deal. The market for Japanese whisky has gone insane with no end in sight. 

Hibiki Harmony is delicious and very smooth. But it isn’t powerful or rich. So if you like whisky with intensity, Harmony may be overvalued. 

And if you’re a whisky generalist, there are many other excellent whiskies available that are much more affordable than Hibiki Harmony. 

Where to Get Hibiki Harmony

The demand for Hibiki 12 made it go extinct. And even though there’s more Japanese Harmony in its place, it can still be hard to find. And this scarcity is why prices are all over the place. 

Most large liquor stores will attempt to stock Harmony. But it may sell out quickly. So if you really want some, make friends with an employee or get on a preorder list. 

Huge retailers like Total Wine, Binny’s, BevMo, and Costco are reliable sources for this blended whisky. And because cash flow is important at these stores, they usually don’t price gouge. 

Japanese grocery chains are another reliable option. But they often markup Japanese whiskies a lot. 

If you’re looking for a total bargain, small independent liquor stores may be your best hope. However, these are also the kind of places that may price Hibiki Harmony for an absurdly high price. So finding that great deal will take time and may not be worth it. 

Finally, the most reliable way to shop for Hibiki Harmony is online. You can look around for the best price. But make sure to factor in the cost of shipping. 

Check out the retailers below. Just like in stores, prices can be all over the place, so please shop around. I am an advertiser for some of these stores and may earn a commission on qualifying purchases. 

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Is Hibiki Harmony Discontinued?

Hibiki Japanese Harmony isn’t discontinued. But it is the replacement for the discontinued Hibiki 12. Suntory pulled the plug on the 12 years aged Hibiki in 2015 and released Japanese Harmony in its place. 

However, the Hibiki Harmony is not the same as the Hibiki 12. More on that below.

In 2017, Suntory officially discontinued Hibiki 17. Curiously, it’s still on Suntory’s website. But finding a bottle is another matter.

This leaves Hibiki 21, Hibiki 30, and Japanese Harmony in the regular lineup.

*As an affiliate advertiser for Etsy, I earn commissions on qualifying purchases.

Similar Whiskies and Competitors

Hibiki whiskies have a distinctive flavor, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have competition. Many Japanese whiskies come relatively close. And there are also a few Scotch whiskies worth considering too. 

Hibiki 12 vs Harmony

Just because Hibiki Japanese Harmony replaced Hibiki 12-year doesn’t mean they’re the same whisky. Harmony is lighter in color and flavor, less rich, and somewhat simpler. That’s not to say Harmony is a bad whisky. It’s just hard to stack up vs. the old 12 year. 

However, Hibiki 12 is also significantly more expensive than Harmony. The last time I bought Hibiki 12 (about eight years ago), it was $60. If you can find a bottle today, expect to pay more than $800. Hibiki Harmony wins the value category. 

Hibiki Harmony vs 17

Both Harmony and the Hibiki 17 blend Yamazaki, Hakushu, and Chita whiskies. And they both are expertly blended with many types of barrels. But the Hibiki 17 sees a lot more mizunara and sherry cask aging. And obviously, it is comprised of much older whisky stocks. 

The flavor profiles are somewhat similar. But Hibiki 17 has way more depth. And that should be expected from a whisky that averages around $900+ per bottle. 

Hibiki Harmony vs Japanese Harmony Master’s Select

Hibiki Japanese Harmony Master’s Select is a limited-edition version of Harmony designed for the duty-free market. 

Master Select has a lot more fruity Yamazaki malt and Sherry cask influence. Overall, it has a much oakier profile but is otherwise similar. 

Japanese Harmony Master’s Select can be hard to find. And you should expect to pay a premium. US prices start around $300, with some places charging close to double. Another value win for the regular Hibiki Harmony.

Suntory Toki

Toki is the US sibling to Suntory Kakubin. And you can also think of it as a baby Hibiki. 

Like Hibiki. Suntory Toki is a blended whisky using Chita grain and malt from Yamazaki and Hakushu. But Toki is younger, less complex, and rougher-tasting. 

Toki is made for cocktails and isn’t designed to compete with Hibiki Harmony. Both have their place and do different things. 

Nikka From The Barrel vs Hibiki Harmony

Nikka From the Barrel is the Lex Luthor to Harmony’s Super Man. They’re both blended whiskies from prestigious Japanese whisky manufacturers. 

But From the Barrel is darker, stronger, and maltier. It also uses many barrel types for aging but focuses on Sherry casks and ex-Bourbon barrels. 

Hibiki Harmony is lighter, more floral, and exotic. It’s also mellow and smooth. 

Both are priced similarly and are excellent Japanese blended whiskies. 

Hibiki Harmony vs Nikka Coffey

Hibiki Harmony, Nikka Coffey Grain, and Nikka Coffey Malt are not that similar. Hibiki is a blended whisky, whereas the Nikkas are grain whiskies. They are similar in having a creamy texture. 

The closest comparison to Nikka Coffey Grain is Suntory Chita Single Grain, which is also a component of Hibiki. 

Is There a Scotch Like Hibiki Harmony?

Chivas Regal Mizunara, on paper, is a similar whisky to Hibiki Harmony. It’s a smooth blended Scotch with a pronounced kick of Japanese oak flavors. But maybe too pronounced. 

That’s because the Chivas distillate spends less time in mizunara. And the Japanese oak is famed for needing many years before it will yield smooth, complex whisky. That’s why the mizunara portions of Hibiki Harmony are supposedly the oldest constituents in the blend. 

But Chivas Regal can also be found for half the price of Hibiki Harmony. 

If mizunara isn’t your thing, Dalwhinnie 15 might be a good alternative to Hibiki Harmony. At least, according to Reddit. And even though Dalwhinnie 15 is a single malt with a much higher average age, I would agree. Like Hibiki Harmony, Dalwhinnie is soft, honeyed, semi-sweet, and smooth. Both whiskies are only lightly peated with notes of heather. 

Dalwhinnie doesn’t have any Japanese mizunara oak, however. So don’t expect any ginger, sandalwood, or incense notes. 

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Hibiki Neat, Rocks, and Mizuwari

Hibiki Harmony is enjoyable in many different ways. But its mellow flavor and modest ABV make it more suited for some methods than others. 

Neat is a great way to enjoy the subtle but complex flavors of Harmony. I recommend a splash of water or a single small cube of ice. 

Harmony on the rocks is a popular way to enjoy this whisky. A large ice cube will yield a cold whisky with only modest dilution. If you use smaller ice cubes, it will lead to a more watered-down and light-tasting Hibiki. This is good if you’re having food with your whisky. 

Mizuwari, or whisky and water, makes for an even lighter drink. It includes some ice, as well. So it’s the epitome of watered-down. Mizuwari is a popular method for drinking whisky in Japan. And that’s because it makes whisky a better complement to a meal. 

Hibiki Japanese Harmony Drinks

Hibiki Harmony is well-suited for making cocktails. A steep price is the biggest downside. But if you don’t mind using a relatively hard-to-get whisky for your drink, it’s an awesome choice. 

Suntory Hibiki Harmony Old Fashioned

I love Old Fashioneds made with Hibiki Harmony. This boozy and old-school cocktail is simply sugar, bitters, and whisky. So it’s ideal for highlighting a smooth and light blended whisky. 

Hibiki Old Fashioned Recipe: 

• 2 oz Harmony
• 2 dashes of Angostura bitters
• 2 dashes of Reagen’s Orange Bitters
• 1 teaspoon of sugar. 

First, dissolve the sugar in the glass with bitters. Then add the Hibiki Harmony. And fill the glass with ice. Stir until the glass is cold and some of the ice has melted. Then add a little more ice.

Express an orange twist over the drink, and use it as a garnish with a cherry. 

Harmony Highball

A Japanese whisky highball is a relatively diluted drink. But it’s smooth and food-friendly. 

Hibiki Harmony makes a fine highball. But I have a couple of recommendations.

First, chill the Hibiki and the glass in the freezer. Doing so will produce a colder drink with less dilution.

Second, add lots of ice to the cold glass. This leaves less room for water and dilution.

Finally, pour the soda or sparkling water carefully down the side of the glass using a bar spoon. And do this before you add the whisky. The Hibiki goes in last. And the bubbles from the soda will take care of the mixing. 

Check out my thorough breakdown of the Japanese whisky highball to learn more about this iconic Japanese cocktail. 

Suntory Penicillin

A Penicillin is a modern cocktail with a medicinal flavor.

It’s designed for very peaty Scotch whiskies. But using Hibiki Harmony is a delicious alternative.

In this drink, Hibiki Harmony makes the base whisky. And I recommend Hakushu 12 on top. 

Penicillin Recipe:

• 2 oz of Hibiki
• 0.5 oz of lemon juice
• 0.5 oz of honey syrup*

To make a Suntory Penicillin, start by muddling fresh ginger in a shaker pint. Then add the whisky, lemon juice, and honey syrup. Next, add ice to the pint and shake hard. Double strain the drink into a rocks glass filled with ice. Then top with a float of Hakushu 12. 

A Suntory Penicillin isn’t as peaty as the original. But Hibiki Harmony has a gingery, incensed, and fruity flavor that works. And the herbal, crisp Hakushu 12 adds a ton of complexity from only a small dose. 

*Honey syrup is a mix of 1:1 honey and water. If you prefer sweeter syrup, use a 2:1 ratio of honey to water.

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Conclusion

I’m a huge fan of Hibiki whiskies, but have mixed feelings about the price of Hibiki Harmony. Do you think it’s a good deal?

The Japanese whisky community is pretty opinionated. I’d love to hear your thoughts about Hibiki. Please share them below.