Suntory Hakushu 12 Year Old
"Green and Fresh"
0 082
Review by @joshk
- Nose~
- Taste~
- Finish~
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- Overall82
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- Brand: Suntory Hakushu
- Type: Japanese
- ABV: 43%
A friend picked this bottle up for me on a trip to Japan, so I can't read the descriptions on the box and label. However, it has just recently become available in the U.S. so at least there will be more access in the future. The Hakushu distillery started in the 1970s as Suntory's 2nd distillery after Yamazaki. It is known as the "green and fresh" distillery.
The color is a goldish yellow, but it looks oilier than it is.
Nose: Distinct bourbon barrel presence. Very sweet with feint whiffs of honey, coconut, and vanilla. Lemongrass and meadow flowers. Citruses with just a touch of peat.
Taste: The alcohol and lemon citrus are more forward on the palate then the nose (but that's relative). Its light and delicate, more floral than anything. Some dry, crisp fruit.
Finish: Soft peat. Bit of citrus tingle like lemon or grapefruit. Again very light.
If I have to give a very simple comparison of Hakushu 12 year and Scotch whisky I would say a mix of Glenlivet 12 and Springbank. I personally think it's a decent malt but when sharing it with a group of friends at a tasting it didn't hold up well to other Japanese whiskies or Scotches.
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