Hibiki Premium Seminar: Experience of a Lifetime!
Yesterday,, April 14th, 2024, I participated in the Hibiki Premium Seminar at the Yamazaki Distillery in Yamazaki, Japan. It was the most amazing whiskey experience that I have ever had and is a once-in-a-lifetime event. I was 1 of only 12 people invited to participate and my wife had to win the chance to participate on the Suntory website.
Attendance by Invitation:
I was sent a formal invitation by courier!
The twelve participants came from all over Japan. One participant came all the way from Chiba and another came from Yamanashi.
The Tour:
The tour was basically the same as the regular tours that you can sign up for on the Suntory website.
Yamazaki Distillery in the spring is particularly beautiful!
The Tasting:
After an educational tour of the distillery, we were brought back to our special room that is only used for the Hibiki Premium Seminar for an in-depth tasting of Yamazaki whiskey, The Hakushu whiskey, Chita whiskey, and Hibiki whiskey. It was absolutely incredible!
We were given three different wood barrel variations of the Yamazaki whiskey. The first one was Yamazaki whiskey which was aged in American Oak. The second was Yamazaki whiskey aged in Spanish Oak, and the third was called Yamazaki Mizunara. The taste of all three was similar, but the Yamazaki in the American Oak was my favorite. It was easy to drink and had a subtle sweetness, which was delicious! The second three were The Hakushu whiskey, The Chita, and Hibiki Japanese Harmony. All three were amazing! The Chita is Suntoriy’s most reasonable whiskey and is great to use when making whiskey sodas or ‘high balls’. After the tasting seminar with a whiskey expert Aya Yuhara, they brought us a Hibiki ‘high ball’ served with Japanese sweets, which paired well with the drink!
A Surprise Special Tasting!:
The biggest surprise was when they brought out the very special 100th anniversary Hibiki for us to try! They also told us about the blend of whiskeys that make up the 100th anniversary Hibiki, which the oldest whiskey used is 17 years old. It was amazing and delicious!
The Cheery On Top!:
As if the Hibiki Premium Seminar wasn’t amazing enough, the absolute cherry on top of the whole day was the gift package that we were given on our way out!
In the gift bag, we were given a small Hibiki book, which gives information about all Hibiki products in Japanese and English. There was also a small Hibiki pin, as well as the nice Hibiki glasses for two that you can see in the picture. Absolutely the best tour experience that I have ever had.
Finally, the other thing that makes this whole event even more amazing is the fact that it was completely FREE! That’s right! I got to experience all of this amazing day at no cost, except for gas money! However, none of this amazing day would’ve. been possible without my wonderful, extremely awesome wife! I am truly lucky to have such a thoughtful, giving, and wonderful wife like mine! Thanks so much Tomoko! You’re the best wife ever! (She didn’t make me write this either)
