48°
Distillery : Hakushu - Japan
Bourbon Barrels and American White Oak Casks
Original Bottling
Limited Edition
Single Malt
Bottled in 2024
Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured
Slightly Peated
Within the Tsukuriwake 2024 range, this Hakushu 18 yo is a little more peaty than usual. No information was given on how it was made, how it was aged, let alone how many bottles were produced. I've emailed Suntory to ask for information, and I assume they're still discussing whether it fits in with their business plan. So I'm presuming that the ageing is the same as for the Distiller's Edition and the 12 yo.
Let's Taste It :
It's intensely vegetal, swamps, reeds, vanilla bamboo stalks, candied angelica, bay and holly leaves. But there's some fruit in there too, fresh juicy pears, greengages, pistachio and celery. The peat is light, barely mineral. The palate is more honeyed and fruity, with hints of cinnamon and milk chocolate. The spices are very well controlled. A whiff of smoke lingers in the mouth. The finish is long and well-crafted, with cloves, cola, ginger root and fruit pastes. Woody undertones.
In Short,
The vegetal character is intense, made even more so by the peat. It's very interesting and quite pleasant. I really liked it, but the price is totally grotesque. I can't understand why anyone would pay so much for a bottle for which they know neither the peat content nor the exact ageing.
Score : 88
To Be Listened While Sipping :
Breizh Pan Celtic - The Gael
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