Suntory Hibiki Harmony

Hibiki Harmony is a Japanese blended whisky from Suntory, bottled at 43% ABV and associated with Osaka. As a blend, it combines malt and grain whiskies. That gives it a different structure from a single malt: the malt component supplies body and flavor, and the grain whisky usually smooths and lightens the result. The details supplied don't include a flavor profile, so what follows describes what blends of this kind typically do. It is not a measured profile of this bottle. Expect a soft, rounded palate with honeyed sweetness, light vanilla and gentle oak, with spice and fruit in the background rather than at the front. Smoke is generally not a feature of this style. At 43%, it holds up to a few different ways of serving without needing much help. Neat is the best place to start. Pour a small measure, let it sit a minute or two, and note how the aroma opens up. If the alcohol feels a little sharp on the nose, a few drops of room-temperature water will loosen the aromatics and soften the edges. Because blends like this are built around balance, a large ice cube is a reasonable choice too. It will mute some of the finer aromatics, but it keeps the whisky cool and makes for slow, easy drinking. Avoid crushed ice, which dilutes too quickly and flattens a delicate profile. For glassware, a Glencairn is the better tool for nosing, since the tapered rim concentrates the aroma and suits a whisky whose appeal is subtle and layered. A rocks glass is the better choice when you're sipping over ice or building a drink. In cocktails, the Highball is the most natural fit for a soft Japanese blend. Pour over plenty of ice and top with cold, well-carbonated soda water at roughly one part whisky to three parts soda. Stir once, gently, and add a strip of lemon peel if you like. An Old Fashioned also works if you keep it restrained: a small amount of sugar, a couple of dashes of aromatic bitters and an orange peel, so the whisky isn't buried. A Manhattan made with sweet vermouth is possible, though a gentle blend will sit quieter in it than a rye would. For a Whiskey Sour, a bolder, higher-proof bottle usually does the job better. Food-wise, light dishes such as sushi, tempura, grilled white fish and mild cheeses suit the whisky's delicacy without overpowering it.