Limited 100th Anniversary Edition. Hakushu 18 YO Peated Single Malt is carefully crafted from carefully selected malt whiskies, all aged for a minimum of 18 years in various casks, in honour of the centenary of the Suntory House. Deep in the depths of Mount Kaikomagatake, Keizo Saji, master blender and second generation descendant of blenders, established the Hakushu distillery.
Faced with the challenge of working with peat, the blenders found the distillery environment conducive to this. The flavour was softened by exceptionally pure mountain water, filtered through ancient granite rocks. The result is a fresh and gently smoky malt whisky, a revelation among Japanese single malts. Although the term "Peated" is usually associated more with Scotch whiskies, this liquid reveals a different style of peated whisky known as "Japanese smoked".
Refined and elegant, this century-old Hakushu Peated Malt offers a new perspective on smoked whisky, presenting a less pronounced and never overpowering smoke in the typical Japanese style: more complex and smoother. What stands out is the balance of flavours, from a spicy and peppery entry to a slow trail of clean smoke that intensifies to reveal herbal notes and green fruity nuances.
The bottle design, with several layers of dark green and light gold flecks, delicately reflects the herbaceous and smoky flavours of the whisky.
Hakushu 18 years tasting notes
COLOUR: This distillate greets us with a splendid shade of luminous gold, shining like a hidden treasure.
NOSE: The nose captivates us with its vibrant personality, displaying top notes of sage, the freshness of ripe green apple and light hints of ripe pineapple. It is an aromatic dance that awakens the senses and invites us to explore further.
PALATE: On the palate, a complex smoke unfolds, revealing layers of surprising flavours. Here, herbal notes intertwine with the freshness of grapefruit, creating a symphony of flavours that are complemented by the sweetness of acacia honey. It is a unique sensory experience, full of nuance and balance.
FINISH: The finish is a closure.
