The Hakushu 12 Year Old Single Malt Whisky tastes like an exotic Islay.
The name Suntory virtually defines the beverage business in Japan. Founded in 1899 to import and distribute wine, they quickly branched out into their own products in 1907. In 1923 they stepped out again, this time in the sacrilegious effort of distilling a Single Malt Whisky in Japan. But the traditionalist of the spirit-loving West soon forgave them for the most pragmatic of reasons… they made great Whisky.
The Hakushu brand was acquired and maintained to support Suntory’s premium Single Malt line up, and they are respected worldwide. The Hakushu 12 Year Old Single Malt Whisky is their finely crafted Single Malt offering in the classic Islay style.
That means they import peat from the other side of the world to craft an authentic, smoky dram that often beats name brand Islays in blind taste tests. It has the light fruitiness of a Highlander with the earthiness and peat infusions of the Scottish islands. Bonsai!
The Flavor Spiral™ shows the most common flavors that you'll taste in Hakushu 12 Year Old and gives you a chance to have a taste of it before actually tasting it.
We invented Flavor Spiral™ here at Flaviar to get all your senses involved in tasting drinks and, frankly, because we think that classic tasting notes are boring.
Dog Dogson's
Smartass Corner
The two biggest Whisky producers in Japan are Nikka and Suntory, major rivals.
If art could be served in a glass.
When I first tried this whisky years ago, I had my doubts about its strength and flavor as it is a pale golden-green color when served neat and didn’t know what to expect. All of my expectations were blown away on first sip and I have been in love with it ever since.
Light hints of smoke like a misty morning in Japan. Clarity and smoothness on the palate like fresh spring water, followed by subtle fruit flavors and the robust grassy flourish of a good green tea. Finishes like green tea too, followed by a kiss.
This is one of my all-time favorites. Truly, a masterwork of whisky.
Mason,
This is perfection in a bottle. I wish I could find and try the 18 for a reasonable price. Green Apple, pear, smoke and hints of pine forest. I can just imagine myself standing in the mountain forests where this product is distilled. There is a light ?vanilla? sweetness that just perfectly balances the lighter notes. My favorite dram in the Scotch/Japanese Whisky category
Evan,
Definitely a reason this is getting to be in short supply. Not just a collectors item, coming from just scotch this is a really good everyday whisky
Thomas,
I had this for the first time five years ago at a pop-up restaurant in an abandoned parking garage in Amsterdam. It was really the first whiskey I loved and miss being able to buy this anytime for <$50 at the local grocery store. Opened my eyes for sure.
Miguel,
I quite like this one a lot. I was curious as to how the smoky subtle would taste and to me it’s almost a counterpoint to Nikka’s Yoichi (another fine and wonderful whisky). I think that this one isn’t as meaty as the Yoichi, but it’s rather light and airy in taste. Very verdant, which makes sense since this distillery is located near the Japanese alps. If you like smoky and subtle whiskies, this one is definitely worth a look.
Toshio,
Rounded, smooth, yet blight. Matured flavors dominates but there are still green forest, citrus and apple hidden.
Stephen,
My first and favorite Japanese whisky. Heartbroken it was discontinued and the price has skyrocketed. Delicious and gentle.
Ray,
Incredibly smooth with great flavor.
Orlando,
Fantastic, not peaty like the website describes. Vanilla taste, bit of an earthy mouth feel. not worth $185.
Lori,
Really good and I love the smokiness. Has a nutty flavor as well.
guest,
The tasting notes on the box say it all. Near perfection.
Brandon,
Smokey, smooth, salty oak. Not as big of a fan of this one as other Japanese drams, but still nice and well rounded.
Jose,
This is a fine bottle, wish it was available in stores and more available but highly recommended for sure.
Jeremy,
Beautifully smokey but smooth velvety dram. Soft fruits with some subtle vanilla and honey sweetness. The balance between smoke, peat and sweet oak is delicious.
Jeremy,
Beautifully smokey but smooth velvety dram. Soft fruits with some subtle vanilla and honey sweetness. The balance between smoke, peat and sweet oak is delicious.
Brendan,
The perfect balance between malty goodness and smoke. The smoke complements the sweetness nicely and is perfectly integrated.
Luis,
Smooth, me dio como un sake after taste. Creo q es bien parecido al de 18 años
Ivan,
I liked this way more than yamazaki 12. It has some herbal notes, with light peat. Incredibly smooth.
Gary,
This is a very refreshing whisky best enjoyed chilled on a hot summer day. Pear, apple, and vanilla make this a different but excellent Japanese dram.
Jason,
Pear and peat. Delicious.
Lawrence,
Toasted barley. Fruit. Slight smoke. Short finish. Orange peel
Derek,
My favorite whisky ever. Glad I bought a couple a few years back when they weren't astronomically priced. Very balanced taste; would be my everyday if cheaper.
Charles,
Really loved this when I first got it, lots of subtle smoke, and was gentle whilst being complex. However, changed over time in the bottle, lost the lovely highlights. Would like another bottle, but like all Japanese whiskey nowadays very expensive, so probably won't.
Brenton,
One of the better whiskeys I have had. Finishes very well.
Alex,
First Smokey whisky I liked. Not overpowering. Just right
Michael,
Favorite on my shelf, poured for special occasions.
Cody,
Fav of all time
carlos,
It's got a very distinct fruit after taste. Very pleasant.
Michael,
Consumed neat. A nice touch of smoke to a pleasant whisky.
Dave,
One of my favorite whiskys ever. I try to savor this since it's discontinued.
Dustin,
Not my favorite, but the citrus and stout feeling from this one is aquired,after a few sittings, I really appreciate this one.
Antti,
It is an outstanding, intense, Single Malt Whisky from Japane, It has an intense birth with notes of freshly cut grass, sliced peaches, hazelnut, honey & a hint of smoke; while life adds notes of Summer fruits, smoke with lemon zest & oaky malt, vanilla; that leads to a long, sweet & warming death with notes of cinnamon.
Jordan,
Good flavor up front. Slightly smoky. Backend is a little like paint thinner
Myke,
Peated with nice smoky notes, but not so much to give it that full Islay taste.
Kurt,
I thought it was very smooth, quite complex, lacking some spice. Great slightly smokey flavor with a bit of honey. Pairs great with lighter food.
guest,
Definitely taste pear, refreshing and exotic. Very good Japanese whisky!
Leo,
Really smooth
Nicholas,
Lovely caramelized malt flavor - relatively soft for a peated whiskey.
Kim,
Let it breathe for a while and this is one will really shine! Perfectly balanced amount of smoke paired with a generous taste of lemon zest and pear. It tastes fresh and sweet, with a loooooooooooong nice finish at the end. Pretty smooth, yet complex. Definately in my top 10!
Andrew,
Peaty goodness with just a skosh of sweet up front.
guest,
I tried it for the first time in a sushi bistro. Unfortunately, the waitress served me a glass with ice, which would not have been my preferred first time taste. However, it was very smooth with very little "burn" to it. I personally think it would have tasted better straight without the ice, but overall it was good for a Japanese whiskey. And Obviously it was not smoky. I would purchase one to keep on my shelf
Tristan,
Definitely has a certain "Scotchiness" to it. Incredibly smooth! Great texture and mouthfeel. A little smoke and honey. This doesn't need any water or ice.
guest,
Fruity, complex, green, citrus
John,
WOW!!!!
Paul,
Notes of grass and green apple really do shine through in this malt. I was a little dubious that the Hakushu 12 would really be that interesting and unique a flavor, but truly it is. It is definitely my favorite Japanese whiskey, and also is in the top 5 for all regions.
Robenson,
this tasted like a 15 yr old whiskey and was very smooth
guest,
Very interesting Japanese single malt. Had some interesting hints of smoke and peat
Rich,
A very interesting taste but very smooth!
Albert,
A great drink for the summer, floral fruits and peat with a very refreshing taste served as a highball