Vintage Hibiki 17 Year Flower Crest Circa 2003 – 700ml

Here’s a circa 2003 Vintage Hibiki 17-Year Flower Crest.  These are among the 1st release of the age-stated run of Hibiki.  The initial release of Hibiki was in 1989 with a non-age-stated version with the signature lion crest.  Shortly after the 1989 release the company changed to a flower crest logo and release the 2nd NAS version with a flower crest.  Many enthusiasts believe the whisky in these older bottlings was much older than age statements as these were very complex and layered.  This release also came from a time when Suntory had plenty of aging barrels available prior to the Japanese whisky boom of late.