Whisky Focus - Hibiki 21 Year Old Named WWA 2016 World's Best Blended Whisky

Hibiki 21 Year Old named World’s Best Blended Whisky for the 4th time at the World Whiskies Awards 2016.

This won't come as a surprise to those of you that had the pleasure of tasting it, the Hibiki 21 Year Old from Suntory Spirits Limited has picked up the prestigious award World’s Best Blended Whisky at the World Whiskies Awards 2016 held by the Whisky Magazine. This marks the fourth time and the first time in three years in which Hibiki 21 Year Old has been bestowed with the World’s Best Blended Whisky award. The award ceremony was held last Thursday, March 17th in London.

The Hibiki 21 year old is a blend of rare and painstakingly selected mature malt and grain whiskies. The key Yamazaki sherry casked malt is vatted with other carefully chosen mellow unblended grain whiskies over 21 years old. The Japanese blended whisky has aromas of sweet dried fruit and a spicy flavour, it is characterised by a solemn, refined richness and profound, lingering echoes.

Now in its tenth year, the World Whiskies Awards, held by the Whisky Magazine, is a world-wide whisky contest. 100's of whiskies battle it out over three tasting rounds for the coveted titles of the 2016 Best Whiskies in the World. The World Whiskies Awards are adjudicated by an illustrious panel of whisky experts brought together by The Whisky Magazine.

The World Whiskies Awards select, reward and promote the best Whisky Taste and Design to consumers and trade across the globe. In stage one, each whisky is tasted in its relevant sub-category to identify and select the sub-category winners and award any medals. The panel of expert judges blind taste entries grouped by their style, region and age statement. Each entry is tasted blind and marked to an agreed and strictly enforced marking system. In addition to nose, palate and finish, the judges will look for balance, character, complexity, quality and functionality.

Even before this award the Suntory Hibiki 21 Year Old has always been a difficult whisky to get hold of due to its good reputation but it can some times be found at whisky specialist shops such as The Whisky Exchange or Japanese whisky specialist shop Dekanta both shops offer worldwide delivery.

For the full list of the World Whiskies Awards 2016 and much more why not subscribe to The Whisky Magazine.
 

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