Last Updated on: 9th April 2024, 12:22 am
J Highland
J Highland is a certified sommelier with 30 years in the liquor industry, owning a pub, a liquor store, and moonlighting as a spirits distiller.
Explore the differences between Hibiki Master’s Select and Hibiki Harmony in this detailed analysis and determine which Japanese whisky suits your preferences best!
Quick Note: Running a pub and liquor store provides me ample access to various spirits, in addition, I moonlight as a spirits distiller. I assess them using customer feedback, expert opinions and online research.
Written by: J Highland
Hibiki Master’s Select vs Hibiki Harmony: Comparison
Hibiki Master’s Select: A fruity and approachable blend, offering a rich nose and a smooth palate with honey, vanilla, and ripe fruit. Finish is short but pleasant.
Hibiki Harmony: Delivers a floral and vanilla aroma, with a light and creamy palate of caramel and mocha. Finish is short, emphasizing honey and ginger.
Verdict: Both blends offer a smooth and pleasant experience, showcasing the art of Japanese whisky blending. While Master’s Select leans towards a fruity profile, Harmony presents a delicate, floral character. Each expression provides a unique tasting journey, reflective of Hibiki’s craftsmanship, states whiskey expert Neil Coleman.
Hibiki Master’s Select: Fruity and Approachable Blended Whisky
- Nose: Honey, raisins, ripe fruit, vanilla
- Palate: Honey, vanilla, ripe fruit, oak
- Finish: Short, caramel, ripe fruit
- Alcohol content: 86 proof (43% ABV)
- How to drink: Neat
- Similar to: Hibiki Blender’s Choice
Aroma: Hibiki Master’s Select opens with a sweet and inviting nose, offering enticing notes of honey, vanilla, raisins, and a touch of tropical fruit like mango and pineapple.
Palate: The texture is full and satisfying, with flavors mirroring the nose. Honey and vanilla mingle with mango, pineapple, and hints of plum, baking spice, and subtle oak.
Finish: The finish is slightly short, leaving behind lingering notes of caramel and fruit, with no harsh heat. Adding a drop of water can enhance the perception of fruit and oak flavors.
Overall: Despite being a blend and not a single malt whisky, Hibiki Master’s Select is generally well-received for its friendly and approachable character. It is known for its richness in fruity notes, offering a smooth and enjoyable drinking experience without any noticeable peppery heat. While some reviewers might miss a longer finish, the overall experience is considered very pleasant, making it a good choice for those seeking a well-rounded and easy-drinking whisky.
Additional information:
- Hibiki Master’s Select is a blended whisky, combining 10 different malt and grain whiskies aged in a variety of casks, including American oak, Mizunara (Japanese oak), and Sherry casks.
- The whiskies used in this blend originate from Yamazaki, Hakushu, and Chita distilleries in Japan.
- Similar to Hibiki Harmony, this expression does not carry a traditional age statement.
- Please note that Hibiki Master’s Select uses caramel coloring, which is a standard practice in some blended whiskies, but not universally used in single malts.
Hibiki Harmony: A Delicate Blend with Floral Notes
- Nose: Floral, vanilla, peach, apple
- Palate: Caramel, mocha, ginger, tobacco
- Finish: Short, honey, ginger, baking spice
- Alcohol content: 86 proof (43% ABV)
- How to drink: Add water
- Similar to: Nikka From The Barrel
Aroma: Hibiki Harmony offers a delightful and inviting nose, filled with rich floral notes alongside hints of vanilla, peach, and crisp apple.
Palate: The initial impression on the palate is smooth and creamy, providing a pleasant mouthfeel. However, the flavor profile is considered light by some, offering subtle hints of caramel, mocha, and a touch of spicy ginger and tobacco.
Finish: The finish is short and lacks lingering warmth, leaving behind faint notes of honey, ginger spice, and light baking spices.
Overall: While the initial aroma of Hibiki Harmony is promising, some find the taste to be light and lacking depth, while the finish is considered underwhelming. It is described as a “delicate” whisky, potentially lacking the robust character preferred by some drinkers.
Value: Considering its price point, reviewers suggest there might be other Single Malt Scotch whiskies offering better value for the money.
Additional information:
- Hibiki Harmony is a blended whisky, using both malt and grain whiskies from Japanese distilleries Yamazaki, Hakushu, and Chita. It does not carry a traditional age statement.
- Presented in a unique 24-faceted bottle, designed to represent the 24 seasons of the Japanese lunisolar calendar.
- Please note that Hibiki Harmony uses caramel coloring, which is a standard practice in some blended whiskies, but not universally used in single malts.
How do Hibiki Master’s Select and Harmony differ?
- The Harmony’s most significant component by volume is grain whisky from the Chita distillery.
- Harmony is made from 12 different whiskies.
- Master’s Select has a more significant malt component in the blend.
- Master’s Select is comprised of 10 different whiskies.
Price comparison
Prices are approximate and stated in USD:
| Whisky | Price |
| Hibiki Harmony | $100 |
| Hibiki Master’s Select | $110 |