Hibiki Masters Select

Hibiki Master’s Select. With the Japanese Whisky boom causing stocks of aged casks to be depleted, Suntory was forced to make significant changes to its product line. Fans were skeptical when the first premium NAS (Non-Age-Statement) releases came out, but this concern was quickly thwarted once they took their first sip. Hibiki Master’s Select carries forward the excellence of the Hibiki line, showcasing its ability to deliver a world-class product without decades of maturation.

The whisky has a harmonious flavor combined with fruity sherry notes. In the award-winning tradition of Hibiki, this bottle took home a gold medal at the 2016 World Whiskies Awards.

Hibiki Harmony Master’s Select is a duty-free (aka “global travel retail”) special release of Hibiki Harmony blended whisky. Unlike some Japanese special-edition “travel exclusives” – which are simply re-labeled and marked-up versions of standard bottlings – Master’s Select is actually a different blend than the regular Harmony.

Master’s Select is reported to be a blend of 10 different Japanese malt and grain whiskies from Yamazaki, Hakushu, and Chita distilleries, aged in 5 different types of casks, including American white oak casks, sherry casks, and Mizunara oak casks. The stronger woody character – and use of Yamazaki sherry casks in particular – are emphasized in Suntory promotional materials, in an apparent effort to increase the cachet of Hibiki Master’s Select. As with regular Harmony, there is no age statement, and it is bottled at 43% ABV.

Hibiki Harmony Masters Select Awards:
Gold Medal (World Whiskies Awards, 2016)