12 years. Single Malt. Hakushu the entry-level aged expression from Suntory’s mountain forest distillery in the Japanese Alps, presenting a distinctly different character from Yamazaki through the inclusion of a peated malt component and the distillery’s unique highland spring water source.

The Hakushu Distillery was established in 1973 in the Southern Alps of Yamanashi Prefecture, at 700 meters elevation in one of Japan’s most pristine forest environments. The location was chosen specifically for its ultra-soft alpine spring water one of the purest distilling water sources in the world and the cool, damp forest microclimate that produces slower, more delicate maturation than lowland Japanese distilleries.

While Yamazaki is defined by fruit, sherry, and Mizunara complexity, Hakushu is defined by freshness green apple, mint, cucumber, and the light herbaceous smoke of the peated malt component that distinguishes it from any other major Japanese single malt. The 12 Year captures this character at the most accessible age statement in the Hakushu lineup.

Tasting Notes

• Nose: Green apple, fresh mint, white peach, light smoke, cucumber
• Palate: Herbal freshness, gentle peat smoke, lime zest, vanilla, soft oak
• Finish: Clean, refreshing, lingering light smoke

Specs

• Distillery: Hakushu Distillery, Hokuto, Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan (est. 1973)
• Style: Japanese Single Malt Whisky
• Age: 12 years
• Elevation: 700 meters in the Southern Japanese Alps
• ABV: 43.5%
• Size: 750ml

Browse all Japanese whisky at Wooden Cork.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How does Hakushu differ from Yamazaki? Yamazaki is the richer, fruitier, more sherry-influenced expression warm and complex. Hakushu is the fresh, herbal, lightly peated counterpart cooler and more delicate. They share the same producer but represent opposite poles of the Suntory single malt flavor spectrum.
• Does Hakushu 12 contain peated malt? Yes a portion of peated malt whisky is included in the 12 Year blend, contributing the light smoke and herbaceous character that distinguishes Hakushu from non-peated Japanese single malts.
• Why is Hakushu harder to find than Yamazaki? Hakushu is produced in smaller quantities than Yamazaki and received less global marketing attention during the Japanese whisky boom. Allocation constraints are similar but awareness is lower, making it slightly more available in some markets.

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