Hibiki Japanese Harmony, 43%

A soft and delicate nose offers vanilla ice cream, ripe banana, peach, and honey-sweetened breakfast cereal. The palate is gentle and smooth, but packed with flavors—more vanilla, peach, coconut flakes, lemon meringue, cherry tart, and blackberry jam—all balanced by peppery spice and fragrant oak. A long, nicely spiced finish offers balanced fruitiness, Creamsicle, and dark chocolate. Complex, balanced, deep, and well-spiced; an easy sipper. —DF