Suntory Hakushu Sherry Cask 2013

I’m still an amateur when it comes to Japanese whiskies, but I recently had the chance to try something quite rare and lovely. The 2013 release of the Hakushu Sherry Cask is a limited release, and I believe that roughly only 3000 of these bottles hit the market on any given year. It’s part of Suntory’s annual collection, consisting of 4 special Yamazaki releases and 2 Hakushus (the other being ‘heavily peated’).

Nose: Dark chocolate, tea, ginseng, herbal notes, leather, plum, orange, dried red fruits, dark berries. Very rich and inviting.

Palate: Slightly bitter in the best kind of way. Earthy cloves. Plums, figs, raisins, and sherried fruitiness come through first. Around them we have cinnamon, nutmeg, fruitcake, chocolate, and licorice.

Finish: That herbal, ginseng note comes back again. There’s some bitter tea here, and it offers a very nice counterbalance to the sweetness. More sherry notes, orange rind, dark chocolate and oak. It’s a medium-long, complex, and smooth finish.

I love sherried whiskies that don’t overwhelm me with sweetness or caramel. Personally speaking, I consider them a bit more sophisticated. This stuff is just up my alley. It’s rich and complex, but it’s also a somewhat more refined with its understated sweetness. Luscious and balanced; a very solid whisky. Definitely recommended.

Find where to buy Suntory Hakushu whisky