Suntory The Hakushu 12 Year Old is the revelation of Japanese single malts — a fresh, gently smoky, and herbaceous whisky born in the mountain forests of Mt. Kaikomagatake in the Southern Japanese Alps. Nestled deep in untouched forests at high altitude, the Hakushu Distillery draws on soft, crisp mountain waters and four distinct seasons to create a single malt of extraordinary freshness and vibrancy — champagne gold in colour, with basil, pine needle, and green apple on the nose, sweet pear, mint, and kiwi on the palate, and a finish of green tea and subtle smoke. Crisp, vibrant, and unmistakably of its place — a whisky that enlivens and liberates the senses.
Tasting Notes
Appearance
Champagne gold — the fresh, luminous colour of a Japanese single malt distilled at high altitude in the mountain forests of the Southern Japanese Alps, with the clarity and brilliance that Hakushu’s soft, crisp mountain waters deliver.
Aroma
Fresh and herbaceous — basil and pine needle lead, with green apple adding a crisp, vibrant lift. A nose of genuine distinction and immediacy, with the cool mountain air of Mt. Kaikomagatake present in every breath.
Palate
Sweet pear, mint, and kiwi — a palate of extraordinary freshness and vibrancy, with the crisp, cool-climate character of the Southern Japanese Alps expressed with remarkable clarity. The gentle smoke adds depth without ever overwhelming the delicate herbal and fruit character.
Pairs With
The Hakushu 12 Year Old is exceptional in a Highball — whisky over ice with chilled sparkling water — where its fresh, herbal character truly shines. Equally rewarding neat or with a drop of water, and a natural companion for sushi, sashimi, grilled fish, and light Japanese cuisine.
Awards
- Best in Class, IWSC Gold — 2009, 2010
- Double Gold — San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2011, 2013
- Gold — San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2012
- Gold — International Spirits Challenge 2012
