Hibiki, 30 Year Old

This whisky exhibits a muscular, dark approach with spice and smoke in abundance alongside Hibiki's classic fruit and incense aromas. There is a highly distinctive nose of resonant dried fruit – prunes, dates and dried apricots – along with polished oak, incense sticks, old leather furniture, and a swathe of almost rancio-style earthiness. After a little time, a touch of dark chocolate emerges. On the palate, it is intensely flavored and highly complex: bold dried fruit notes mingle with a little smokiness, dark chocolate, and a touch of walnut and chestnut dryness. There's also an underlying citrus zest of charred orange and warming cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. The finish is incredibly lengthy, again featuring fruit alongside a drying oakiness and lingering soft smokiness.