Intense flavors of forest and spice with a nice subtle smoke lingering. Great stuff but it comes at a price. Is it worth the price of most 18yo bottles out there? Maybe.... worth a try for anyone who likes stuff like glenfiddich. Hakushu 12 Year is my go to when I want a clean fresh scotch. I'd give it a 5 but that is reserved for a scotch that makes me want to never drink anything else.

All god damn fine whisky's and all I can say is its distressing that this Hibiki Harmony Whisky doesn't come in a 1 litre version, 50cl is just not enough, but happy to have it in my cabinet, its really nice n fresh to drink, I dont add coke! I dont add water, damn I dont even add ice, I drink my whisky how its poured straight into the glass and then my mouth.

Hakushu 12 Year, unlike the Yamazaki 12 & discontinued Hibiki & Yoichi 12 yr olds, is still somewhat available in the U.S. (specifically California). Overall, I find the subtle hints of smokiness on the nose & palate (really not a whole lot of smoke) make Hakushu 12 much more interesting and enjoyable than other Japanese whiskies in the same price range. The subtle peat smoke lingers in the background and really enhances all the mostly fruity notes that dominate. Probably a great teaser for the uninitiated of the joys that peated whisky can bring.