This exciting new Hibiki whisky expression was released domestically in Japan on September 4th, 2018.

'Blender's Choice' is the third no-age statement (NAS) whisky to be added to the Hibiki core range, alongside the Hibiki Japanese Harmony and Hibiki Japanese Harmony Master's Select.

This meticulous blend includes carefully selected vintages, married together by Suntory's team of expert blenders. The addition of a few wine cask-aged whiskies in the blend delivers a round, well-balanced profile and immense depth.

The initial release was only for the domestic Japanese market and destined for on-premises sales. There has not been any official Australian release announced.

According to Suntory, Hibiki Blender's Choice will be under a limited allocation, so these bottles are expected to quickly disappear.

Nose: Reasonably sweet, with rich toffee notes and some vanilla. I get a distinctive rice pudding sensation, which is novel. Green apple, pineapple, and peaches. Also those same fruit flavours in Meiji Japanese gummies (the ones made with 100% fruit juice). Canberries and red currants. A dry bark note (woody), which is distinctive. A little rubber and a touch of glue. Something else I can't quite place, likely from fresh wine casks.

Palate: The toffee, creamy rice pudding and green apples from the nose dominate. The cranberries come across more as dried now. Apple and pineapple juice. Wood spice picks up, mainly lighter all spice, nutmeg and cinnamon. Glue note turns slightly ashy (which I like). Very distinctive for an unpeated whisky. A touch astringent on the swallow.

Finish: The woodiness returns immediately on the swallow – not a perfumy Mizunara oak, but a softer and gentler tree bark type (if that makes sense). Caramel from the wood picks up too. Dry and astringent overall, keeps you sipping repeatedly. The fresh wine casks come through again, but subtly – reminds me of those Sweet Tarts candies from my childhood.