The Hakushu 100th Anniversary Edition 18 Year Old Peated Single Malt Whisky 700ml

Manufacturer's Notes: 100th Anniversary Suntory Whiskey

It Takes One Hundred Years

It was 50 years after the Yamazaki Distillery was built, in 1973, the Second Generation Master Blender, Keizo Saji and his team searched all over Japan for another high-quality water source needed to diversify their whisky portfolio beyond Yamazaki. Making a long journey from north to south, they found Hakushu. The blenders took the challenge of working with peat for Hakushu. Surrounded by the exceptionally pure mountain waters, softened with just the right amount of minerality made possible by the filtration of rain and snow through thousand-year-old granite rocks. Aged in the richness and diversity of the Japanese 24 seasons.

The Surprise Reveals Itself

Peated is a term most often associated with Scotch whiskies. The island of Islay in particular, is renowned for the tradition of smoky whiskies that feature heavy peat flavours. But for Hakushu, peated means something special. Hakushu brings a subtly smoky Japanese single malt, moist, soft and sweet, made from the House of Suntory's "Mountain Forest Distillery," nestled deep in the Japanese Southern Alps. Fifth Generation Chief Blender Shinji Fukuyo is proud to present a limited edition fit for the centennial celebration. A new interpretation of "peated whisky" that serves as a tribute to all Hakushu fans.

Unveiling "Japanese Smoky"

There is no doubt that the peated malts of Hakushu are what make the whisky a unique and distinctive Japanese single malt. Refined and elegant, this centennial Hakushu of 100% Peated Malt brings a new angle to peated whisky -- an expression we lovingly refer to as "Japanese smoky." The smoke here is less pungent, never dominant and like all things Japanese, more complex and gentle. What stands out is the flavor balance -- a spicy, peppery welcome, a slow and deliberate wave of clean smoke that deepens as it reveals the quintessential Hakushu herbaceous mineral notes and fruity undertones of ripe apples and pears.

A Vibrant and Refreshing Forest

Echizen washi artist Eriko Horiki laboriously layered shades of dark green, light green, and brown by hand to capture the essence of Hakushu -- the Mountain Forest Distillery amidst the misty summer fog. The cap and closure are encased in champagne gold to honor the luminosity of the Hakushu liquid color, as well as the freshness of the air in this unique forest distillery.