An older Japanese-market bottle of Hakushu 18 Year Old, Suntory's mature forest single malt at 43%. It keeps the herbs and orchard fruit of the younger Hakushu, with more depth from the longer ageing.
About This Whisky
Hakushu 18 is an all-malt whisky aged at least 18 years and bottled at 43%. Suntory does not publish the cask breakdown, though tasters often find both American oak and sherry cask influence. This is an older label for the Japanese home market, sold before age-stated Hakushu became hard to find.
Tasting Profile
- Nose: Pear, dried mint and oregano, with a hint of smoke behind.
- Palate: Round and fruity, with jasmine, mango and quince, then menthol.
- Finish: Long and pleasantly smoky, drying to a slight bitterness.
Serving & Food
Try it neat in a small copita at room temperature, then with one drop of water. Match it with light dishes: kinmedai sashimi, chawanmushi or a plate of pear and Pecorino.
How to Enjoy
For a Yamazaki drinker who wants to taste the other side of Suntory malt, or a Hakushu fan looking for an earlier bottling.
Product Details
Distillery: Hakushu
Producer: Suntory
Age: 18 years old
Category: Japanese single malt whisky
Origin: Japan
Region: Yamanashi Prefecture
Market: Japanese domestic release
ABV: 43%
Volume: 700mL
About the Distillery
Suntory runs two malt distilleries, and they were planned to be different. Yamazaki, near Kyoto, opened in 1923 and sits close to sea level in a warm, humid valley. Its malt tends towards dried fruit, sherry and incense. Hakushu came fifty years later, high in the mountains of Yamanashi, and gives a lighter, greener spirit with a touch of smoke.
The two whiskies are often tasted side by side for that reason. At 18 years Yamazaki leans to raisins, dark chocolate and Mizunara oak, while Hakushu stays with pear, mint and soft smoke. Both feed into Hibiki and other Suntory blends.