Distileri

Hakushu

Yamanashi, Japan · 1973'den beri

Hakushu distillery was established in 1973 by Suntory in the Southern Japanese Alps of Yamanashi Prefecture, at an altitude of approximately 700 metres above sea level. Surrounded by one of Japan's most pristine forests and fed by exceptionally pure mountain spring water, the distillery embodies the Japanese concept of harmony with nature. Hakushu single malts are celebrated for their fresh, herbaceous, and lightly peated character — a profile that sets them apart from both the richer Yamazaki expressions and the heavily peated Scotch malts they are sometimes compared with. Notes of green apple, fresh mint, white peach, and a gentle smokiness evoke the sensation of walking through a dense cedar forest after rainfall. The distillery employs a range of still shapes and fermentation vessels, including wooden washbacks, to craft whiskies of remarkable complexity. The 12 Year Old and 18 Year Old expressions have garnered international acclaim, with the latter winning numerous awards. A temporary suspension of the 12 Year Old in 2018 highlighted the insatiable global appetite for Japanese whisky, making Hakushu bottles increasingly sought after by enthusiasts and collectors alike.