You didnae think that I'd trek all the way to Japan and pay a visit to only one distillery? On my pilgrimage to the birthplace of Japanese whisky, I brought back a few bottles from Yamazaki, but couldnae return to bonnie Caledonia without having a nosey around the famous Hakushu too.

Hamish's Haiku

Smoke, jasmine, vanilla

Aromatic, gentle peat

Hakushu heaven

Alongside the Yamazaki 12 & 18 Year Old commemorative bottlings, Suntory have released this Hakushu 18 Year Old Peated Malt Suntory 100th Anniversary Release, which I've managed to snap up for my lovely Fyne+ members.

Hakushu 18 Year Old Peated Malt Suntory 100th Anniversary Release
Hakushu 18 Year Old Peated Malt Suntory 100th Anniversary Release
£1,280.00
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A wee beauty, this centennial Hakushu 18 Year Old Suntory 100th Anniversary Release is a very Japanese take on peated whisky. The smoke is less dominant, and more layered, gentle and fragrant than most Scotch smoke-bombs. The lovely bottle design is layered with dark green and light flecks of gold to reflect the whisky’s verdant and smoky flavour.

The nose opens with notes of crisp green apple, fragrant jasmine and subtle smoke, which lead to a sweet palate of chocolate-chip biscuits and vanilla. The finish is quite dry, with more sweet and gentle smoke.

The House of Suntory have been pioneers of Japanese whisky since 1923, when founder Shinjiro Torii built Japan’s first malt distillery - Yamazaki. Along with the centenary of the House of Suntory, Hakushu is celebrating not only this but its own 50th anniversary! Founded in 1973, Suntory's mountain forest distillery is located at the base of Mount Kaikomagatake in the Yamanashi Prefecture, 2,300 feet above sea level - making it one of the highest distilleries ever. I did feel my ears pop a bit, lookin' back! It's also home to some of the purest waters in Japan, and probably the world, with a rare softness that bestows a signature smoothness on the whisky. The liquid is then matured in a lush, forested microclimate, blessed by ever-changing seasons - each leaving their own stamp on the aging spirit.

Browse our full range of Hakushu here.

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