Yamazaki and Hibiki have released information on the release of “Yamazaki LIMITED EDITION 2023” and “Hibiki BLOSSOM HARMONY 2023” from their respective brand websites.
There will be two lotteries for both Yamazaki and Hibiki, with 1,000 bottles each time for a total of 2,000 bottles each.
The official tasting comments for both Yamazaki and Hibiki are the same as last year, so there may be no major changes in taste. Both will go on sale on Tuesday, May 30.
1. Yamazaki LIMITED EDITION 2023
1-1. Yamazaki LIMITED EDITION2023 Lottery Application Method
Lottery applications can be made from within the Yamazaki Club website. Click here for the application page.
Click here to register as a member of the Yamazaki Club
●Application Period
■1st: Tuesday, March 14, 2023 – Sunday, April 2, 2023
■2nd: Monday, April 3, 2023 – Wednesday, April 19, 2023
You may apply up to once for each session. Multiple applications will be void.
●Winners will be notified by e-mail.
■1st: Monday, April 17, 2023 and thereafter
■2nd: Tuesday, May 9, 2023 and thereafter
1-2. Yamazaki LIMITED EDITION2023
Product name | Yamazaki LIMITED EDITION2023 |
| Content volume | 700ml |
| Degree of alcohol content | 43％ |
| Price | 11,000 yen (tax included) |
| Cask type | Mizunara oak barrels, etc. |
A special “Yamazaki” with a mellow aroma
We used luxurious new oak barrels aged for more than 12 years and carefully blended them.
The taste is smooth and thick with sweet and sourness. Smooth and thick taste.
It has a pleasant spicy aftertaste. Please enjoy it straight.Official Tasting Notes
Color
Amber Nose Pineapple, orange, nutmeg Taste honey, coconut cream, blueberry Finish vanilla, ginger, faint smokiness
1-3. Yamazaki LIMITED EDITION past lineup
“Yamazaki Limited Edition” has been released in 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017. It was then released in 2021 and 2022 after a period of time. The series is quite expensive, but sales can be found on Amazon and Rakuten.
2-1. Hibiki BLOSSOM HARMONY2023
2-1. Hibiki BLOSSOM HARMONY2023 Lottery Application Method
Lottery applications are available on the Hibiki MEMBERS CLUB website. Click here for the application page.
Click here to register as a member of the “Hibiki MEMBERS CLUB”
●Application Period
■1st: Tuesday, March 14, 2023 – Sunday, April 2, 2023
■2nd: Monday, April 3, 2023 – Wednesday, April 19, 2023
You may apply up to once for each session. Multiple applications will be void.
●Winners will be notified by e-mail.
■1st: Monday, April 17, 2023 and thereafter
■2nd: Tuesday, May 9, 2023 and thereafter
2-2. Hibiki BLOSSOM HARMONY 2023
Product name | Hibiki BLOSSOM HARMONY 2023 |
| Content volume | 700ml |
| Degree of alcohol content | 43% |
| Price | 11,000 yen (tax included) |
| Cask type | Cherry blossom casks, etc. |
Aromatic aroma reminiscent of flowers, harmonious and round taste
This special “Hibiki” is a blend of a variety of sake matured over four seasons and rare sake matured in cherry blossom barrels.
You will enjoy the harmony of its flowery aroma, round and harmonious taste, and rich, sweet aftertaste.Official Tasting Notes
Color
Amber Fragrance Aromatic floral aroma, cherry blossoms, golden yellow Taste Smooth mouthfeel, spontaneous in-mouth aroma, Acacia honey, La France, elegant sweetness like cherry blossom rice cake. Aftertaste Long, rich and gorgeous aftertaste
2-3. Hibiki BLOSSOM HARMONY past lineup
Hibiki BLOSSOM HARMONY will be released in 2021 and 2022, and this will be the third consecutive year.It is also available on Amazon, Rakuten, and other online shopping sites.
https://en.jpwhisky.net/2021/06/07/hibiki-blossom-harmony-2021-2/
https://en.jpwhisky.net/2022/06/09/hibiki_blossom_harmony_2022-2/
Lastly: Recommended Books on Japanese Whisky
If you want to learn more about Japanese whisky, which is a global trend, we highly recommend these books.
(1).Whisky Galore Vol.29 December 2021 issue
In the December 2021 issue of Whisky Galore, published by the Whisky Culture Research Institute, we report on 11 Japanese craft distilleries, including some that are open to the public for the first time, under the title of “Japanese Whisky Craft Frontline,” the first of three consecutive issues. Why did the popularity of Japanese whisky and the craft boom occur? We will examine with interviews. Chichibu Distillery / Chichibu No.2 Distillery / Mars Shinshu Distillery / Mars Tsunuki Distillery / Kanosuke Distillery / Hioki Distillery / Ontake Distillery / Osuzuyama Distillery / Kaikyo Distillery / Hanyu Distillery / Konosu Distillery
(2). Japanese Whisky as an Education for Business
This is a book written by Mamoru Tsuchiya, a world-famous whisky critic and representative of the Whisky Culture Research Institute, titled “Japanese Whisky as a Culture that Works for Business” .
The book covers the basics of whisky, the introduction of whisky to Japan, the birth of Japanese whisky, advertising strategies and the rise of Japanese whisky, and the current rise of craft distilleries. This is a book that summarizes Japanese whisky in a very easy to understand way.
(3). Whisky and I (Masataka Taketsuru)
Masataka Taketsuru, the founder of Nikka Whisky, devoted his life to brewing whisky in Japan. This is a revised and reprinted version of the autobiography of a man who simply loved whisky and talked about himself. The book vividly depicts the days when he went to Scotland alone to study as a young man and overcame many hardships to complete Japanese whisky, as well as his companion, Rita.
(4). A Letter of Challenge from a New Generation Distillery
Launching in 2019. With the world experiencing an unprecedented whisky boom, what were the managers of craft distilleries thinking and what were their thoughts as they took on the challenge of making whisky? This book tells the stories of 13 craft distillery owners, including Ichiro Hido of Venture Whisky, famous for his Ichirose Malt, who inspired the birth of craft distilleries in Japan.
(5). Whiskey Rising
This is the Japanese version of Whisky Risng, published in the US in 2016, with much updated content. Not only does it describe the history of Japanese whisky in detail, but it also includes data on all the distilleries in Japan, including the craft distilleries that have been founded in recent years. The book also includes descriptions of the legendary bottles that have been released, as well as information on bars where Japanese whisky can be found.
