The Hakushu 18 yo

 

 

 

43°

Distillery : Hakushu - Japan

Ex-Bourbon, Ex-Sherry and Mizunara Oak Casks

Original Bottling 

Core Range 

Single Malt 

Launched in 2006

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Slightly Peated

 

 

 

There are several Hakushu 18 Year Old, some are limited editions, like the one in my previous post, and this one belongs to the distillery's Core Range. Launched in 2006 when whisky connoisseurs were just beginning to take an interest in the world of japanese whisky, it is now an institution, and those who were able to buy it when its price was still affordable are very happy with it.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The nose is intense and deep, beginning with cereal grains and dried vanilla, followed by very well-balanced forest and planty fragrances, with a very discreet peatiness that adds fullness. Forest undergrowth, chestnuts, chlorophyll, dried biscuits. Dates and dried figs too. It's very mellow on the palate, calissons d'Aix, frangipane, vanilla pastry cream, speculoos crumbs. Perfectly mastered spices, cloves, a pinch of pepper. Long, measured finish, very well done without being explosive. Liquorice, sandalwood, cinnamon, dead leaves, humus, vegetal moss.

 

In Short, 

I find it better balanced than the 18-year-old Peated Malt 2024, but a little less powerful. It's obviously a very good whisky, with a very distinctive personality. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to find these days and extremely expensive, so it should be reserved for speculators and wealthy collectors.

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Deep Forest - Sweet Lullaby