HAKUSHU 18 PEATED MALT 100TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION:

The Hakushu 18 Year Old Peated Single Malt is comprised of meticulously selected malt whiskies, all aged for a minimum of 18 years in various casks, created in honor of Suntory Whisky’s centenary. Nestled deep in Mt. Kaikomagatake, the Second-Generation Master Blender, Keizo Saji, founded the Hakushu distillery. The blenders accepted the challenge of working with peat, made possible due to the distillery’s surrounding environment. The flavor was softened by the exceptionally pure mountain water, filtered through old granite rocks. This creates a fresh and gently smoky single malt whisky, a revelation in Japanese single malts.

Celebrating 100 years with ‘Japanese Smokiness.’

‘Peated’ is a term most often associated with Scotch whiskies, however this liquid unveils a different kind of peated whisky – one that is referred to as the ‘Japanese Smoky.’ Refined and elegant, this centennial Hakushu 18 Year Old Peated Malt brings a new angle to peated whisky. The smoke at the distillery is less strong, never dominant, and in typical Japanese style, more complex and gentle. What stands out is the flavor balance - a spicy, peppery welcome, a slow wave of clean smoke that deepens as it reveals its herbaceous notes and green, fruity undertones. Celebrating 100 years with ‘Japanese Smokiness.’

TASTING NOTES:

Color: Luminous Gold

Nose: Vibrant with top notes of sage, ripe green apple and hints of ripe pineapple

Palate: Complex smoke revealing layers of herbal, grapefruit and acacia honey notes

Finish:  Clean smoke that lingers with undernotes of fresh green citrus