Drink These Hibiki Alternatives Until the Whiskey Shortage in Japan Ends
The past week has brought to fans of Japanese whiskey terrible news : Suntory plans to stop selling the extremely popular and quite accessible single malt whiskey Hakushu 12 years of aging, and mixtures Hibiki 17 Year Old. But fear not, spirits drinker, there are other great options too. These whiskeys may vary in flavor and aroma, but you’ll love them just the same.
Suntory’s shutdown is largely due to a shortage of good merchandise; something that has gradually appeared in the world of whiskey for several months now. It takes a long time to distill and mature a good whiskey, and Japanese whiskey has grown rapidly in popularity in recent years, so demand now outstrips supply. By the end of June, Hakushu 12 will no longer be on the shelves anywhere, just like Hibiki 17 in September. If you’re hoping to sip on this well-balanced whiskey for the next few years, you’d better start stocking up, that is, if you can find bottles of this drink somewhere.
Of course, you can also branch out and try whiskeys that are not in short supply, yet have a comparable balance of taste, aroma, quality and price. I spoke with whiskey expert Patrick Marran of Bar Rover to find out what sipping is worth in lieu of one of my old backup favorites, Hibiki.
If you like Hibiki 12
Marran recommends Jura Seven Wood . It is not overly peaty like most Islay single malt whiskeys, and uses a blend of French oak, First-Fill sherry casks and First-Fill American white oak to create a smoother and creamier flavor. You can find it for between $ 79 and $ 100.
Or…
Akashi Single Malt White Oak , which uses Japanese white oak barrels to create some of the brighter, lighter and more fruity flavors you’d get from Hibiki 12. Marran also notes that it has a great mouthfeel, so your palates the receptors will have a good chance of colliding with the liquid. You can buy it for between $ 80 and $ 100 a bottle, but this whiskey can be difficult to find due to the fact that it is a highly regulated foreign alcohol in small batches.
If you like Hibiki 17
“Look at the old rare Usquaebach ,” says Marran. It is a Scotch blend of over 40 different whiskeys (some of which are almost 20 years old), with a light peaty flavor and strong flavor, but easy to drink. It is also a fascinating relic of Scottish history dating back to the 1780s. At the time, liquor manufacturers tried to preserve Gaelic words like uisce and usquae, which eventually became the modern term for whiskey. You can buy it for between $ 117 and $ 130 per bottle.
Or…
Pour yourself a 16 year old Aberlour stain. Marran explains that while Aberlour has more of a bite, it still feels evenly balanced, just like Hibiki 17. Let the bite disappear while the liquid lingers on your tongue for a moment before swallowing, and it has many of the same qualities as the Hibiki. … If the bite is too strong, Marran suggests that you toss one large ice cube into a glass, let it brew for a while, then take a sip.
Look, there is no substitute for the Hibiki line, which is the perfect combination of Hakushu and Yamazaki. But if you’re looking for a mild whiskey that has some of the same qualities, these options are good enough to get through these tough times and force your taste buds to open up new horizons. By the time the Hibiki line comes back, you will redefine it.