Hakushu Suntory | Japanese | Single MaltWhisky | Subtle Smoke, Crisp Apple and Mint | Made With The Pure Waters Of The Southern Japanese Alps | 40 Percent ABV | 70 cl

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Nose: Woodsmoke and the earthiness of peat hit you in the schnoz as soon as you open the bottle, so there’s no question this is a peated whisky. The magic is in the honeyed essence underneath the smoke and peat, however. This whisky made my mouth water as I thought of a crisp bite of apple on a fall day. Also orange peel and burnt, buttered toast. The nose opens with notes of green apple, fragrant jasmine and subtle smoke, which lead to a sweet palate of chocolate-chip biscuits and vanilla. The finish is reasonably dry, with more sweet and gentle smoke. Yamazaki 18 Year Old Suntory 100th Anniversary Release Peat is what gives Hakushu it’s distinctive aroma, that soft smoky note which is not overt but definitely present. Whilst on the tour – complete with audio tour for me, the one non-Japanese speaker in the 30-person tour group, and only non-Japanese person taking a tour that day (yes I asked when I saw a pattern) – it was the first time I’ve spent lots of time nosing peated barley and WOW it was lovely. Could nose that for days, and have in fact asked a couple of friends to source me some so I can do just that, and use it as a prop in my whisky tastings going forward. Car – the distillery is located 15 minutes by car from the Kobuchizawa Interchange on the Chuo Expressway. The car park has a capacity for 200 passenger cars (Large buses can also be accommodated). Please note – Drivers are not permitted to sample whisky as consumption of alcoholic beverages by drivers is prohibited by law. Thank you for your cooperation. Upon arriving, having spent two hours looking out together the train windows enjoying the amazing scenery, I was astounded to see, nay feel the setting within which this distillery sits.

Train – the distillery is located about 10 minutes by car from Kobuchizawa Station on the JR Chuo Main Line.Tasked with producing an original whisky distinct from those originating at Yamazaki distillery, the Hakushu distillery was built as Suntory’s second distillery in 1973 on the 50th anniversary of the start of construction at its sister facility. Climate also makes a big difference. The summers in Yamazaki (Osaka) are also much hotter than in Hakushu (Yamanashi). So whisky from Yamazaki tends to be darker than the equivalent whisky from Hakushu. The wash produced during the fermentation process is distilled twice in rows of pot stills of different shapes and sizes. By using different stills, the distillery is able to produce a variety of whiskies with flavours ranging from light to full-bodied. Direct-fired distillation at a temperature of about 1.200°C creates an even greater range of flavour-contributing substances. This Yamazaki Mizunara Single Malt is comprised of meticulously selected malt whiskies all aged for a minimum of 18 years solely in Mizunara (Japanese oak) casks. The expression is a true showcase of the distinctive beauty of Mizunara oak, which is notoriously difficult to master, and considered the signature “enhancer” of Yamazaki - infusing the whisky with one-of-a-kind Japanese character and elegance. With a name meaning “mountain cape” in reference to its secluded location, Yamazaki is Japan’s first and oldest malt distillery, founded in 1923 by Shinjiro Torii. Presented at 43% abv.

Hakushu distillery offers guided tours of its facility. The tours are conducted in Japanese but an audio guide in English, French and Chinese is available. You can reach Hakushu using the following modes of transport: From Hakushu Distillery to Nirasaki – Matsubarakami (the closest bus stop to the distillery) → Nirasaki Station. The Hakushu 18 YO Peated Single Malt is comprised of meticulously selected malt whiskies all aged for a minimum of 18 years in various casks, created in honour of House of Suntory’s centenary. Hakushu distillery came 50 years later, in 1973, based in a forested microclimate located at the base of Mount Kaikomagatake - making it one of the highest distilleries in the world, standing at 2,300 feet above sea level.Hakushu single malt is known as to be fresh as the pure rainwater that gathers in the surrounding rivers.

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Meanwhile, the new Hakushu 18 Year Old Peated Malt is comprised of malt whiskies all aged for a minimum of 18 years. The new expression is said to offer a ‘new angle to the world of peated whisky’.

The resulting liquid offers notes of dark cherry and ripe peach on the nose, with hints of cinnamon and nutmeg. The palate is ‘subtly spiced’ with Japanese incense and a long and lingering finish, accentuated with clove, sandalwood, and hints of dried coconut. Bus service – From Nirasaki to Hakushu Distillery, No. 3 boarding area at Nirasaki Station → Matsubarakami (the closest bus stop to the distillery). The House of Suntory is also inviting fans to join its new global membership programme. Members can find out about new releases, receive priority consideration for invitations to consumer experiences, learn news from the distilleries, gain early access to content and more. The environment around the Distillery is key to the Hakushu Distillery story. When setting the distillery up, Suntory travelled around the country testing countless water source samples to ensure they had the perfect source for their most precious ingredient; water. Hakushu’s soft water source flows through the forest and granite before getting to the Hakushu Distillery, and it has been attributed some of the credit by the production team at Hakushu for the light, soft flavour of the end product. Literally towering above its competitors, Hakushu is the highest operational distillery in Japan, with an altitude of more than 2000 feet above sea level. Rather like its Scottish counterpart, Dalwhinnie (the highest distillery in Scotland), whose altitude is said by some to play a huge part in the character and style of its spirits, Hakushu produces a wonderfully balanced malt of the highest quality.

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Hakushu is the Japanese connoisseurs choice. The distillery, which was built in 1973 and is set amidst spectacular pine forests close to Japanese Alps. Many people prefer the fruitier whiskies from Yamazaki. I like the herbal and crisp Hakushu malts. But everyone is different, so I encourage you to try them side by side if possible. Hakushu and Yamazaki are the two marquee Suntory whisky distilleries. The Yamazaki came first, and it produces deeply fruity, floral, soft, and semi-sweet single malts. The influence of Japanese mizunara oak is obvious, especially on the higher-end expressions. The Hakushu relies much more on ex-Bourbon casks plus some Sherry cask influence. And the whiskies are much crisper, more mineral, peaty, and herbal.