Suntory The Hakushu 18 yo 100th Anniversary Single malt Vol.48% Cl.70

Limited edition for the 100th anniversary of the Suntory distillery, which will be celebrated in 2023, only 2000 bottles were produced in the world.

Hakushu 18 Peated Malt is made up of carefully selected malt whiskies, all aged for a minimum of 18 years in various casks, created in honor of the centenary of Suntory Whisky.

The blenders at Hakushu Distillery work with peat, sweetening the palate using the area's unique mountain water, filtered through ancient granite rocks.

Aged 18 years in Mizunara Oak barrels, Japanese oak, rarer than European and American oak, and much more expensive, its history is deeply rooted in Japanese history.

Oak doesn't grow straight, has a high moisture content and is much more porous than other varieties, he says.

These problems make the barrels prone to leaks. Its name, after all, translates to “water oak.”

Mizunara must be around 200 years old before it can be cut and used for barrels. While some larger distilleries have access to forests, rights are often withheld to allow them to regrow.

Aging in Mizunara oak barrels refines the excellent peated malt distillate from the Suntory distillery.

Refined and elegant, this century-old Hakushu Peated Malt offers a less strong smoke, never dominant and in typical Japanese style, more complex and gentle.

The result is a spicy and peppery welcome, a slow wave of smoke that deepens to reveal its herbaceous notes and green fruity nuances.