Hibiki 21-Year Tasting Notes

Hibiki 21-Year has a gold appearance. On the nose, I find notes of cotton candy, golden delicious apple, coconut, oiliness, sweet grain, sugar cone, sandalwood, lychee, allspice, green grape and a hint of jasmine. With water, more sugary sweetness, plums, and raisins.

The palate begins with baked orchard fruits, green melon, salted caramel, maltiness, a hint of sweet cinnamon, vanilla, dry oak, dried apricot and lemon zest. Fresh and dried red berries sit underneath it all, along with rosewater and hard candy. Water brings out cedar, a bit of grated ginger and more fragrant floral notes.