Hakushu Distiller's Reserve

Tasted side by side with the Hakushu 12 N: Apple juice! Cucumber, tiny hint of peppermint similar to peppermint tea bags. P: herbaceous, crisp, smoke is apparent. Something citrusy sings about. Bright and punchy/vibrant but perhaps short lived for each note. F: herbal and fresh, soft rounded smoke, a little prickly with a background of green apple. At $160 this bottle is delicious and delivers mouthwatering flavours. A whisky that actually made me salivate a little from its fresh vibrancy. Whilst the flavours are a little bold and punchy and bordering on short lived, this whisky is exciting. The interesting thing here comes from comparison to the 12 year old Hakushu. The Hakushu 12 is definitely excellent. The extra time in the barrel ties everything up wonderfully, softening and integrating the flavours , but tasting the 12 at the same time as the DR leaves me wondering if the 12 has replaced bold and exciting flavours with subtlety and nuance; to its detriment. The 12, to me, just isn’t as exciting no matter how good it is. At $160 for the DR and a whopping $450 for the 12 I am hard pushed to say the 12 is worth the extra cash. Sure, it’s superior but is it as enjoyable? I’m inclined to say no. The 12 doesn’t have the vibrancy on the nose of the DR and that Apple juice is just so good, the zingy DR flavours that pop out are exciting and refreshing and has me going back for more. The 12 does though have the slightest salty brine note in the finish (think laphroig) that is exquisite, I looked for it in the DR but couldn’t find it. The 12 is definitely something to try, but when my bottle empties if it gets replaced it will be with a DR even though I score it lower. Distiller whisky taste #23

The mere words “Japanese whiskey” brings about images of exotic, expensive, and very good whiskey. Good enough to have given their Scottish counterparts a run for their money. But the last few years, it’s been difficult to discern between real Japanese whiskey, and those sourced from Canada, Scotland, and US. In Japan, with regulations being loose about this, one can source whiskey from anywhere, and as long as it’s aged (for unspecified time) in Japan, it’s still labeled Japanese whiskey. So, you think you’re buying a 16 yr Yamazakura ( sounds like Yamazaki...that alone adds a few extra quid), but in reality you’re getting a 16 yr Canadian or American. But, there’s still some pure Japanese made—like -Hakushu ( along with Yamazaki, Yoichi, Chita, and few others). Unfortunately the age statements are rare and expensive, I opened this from my stash last night, with some family over for the holidays. I was in no mood to open my Hakushu 12, 18 or Heavily Peated, so I grabbed this one. I love Hakushu’s aroma—-pine and forests. Taste is peaty, with more of that fresh forest. Sweet finish. If not for having tried their amazing 12, I’d have given this a 4-4.25. But, as good as it is, it’s not there with the 12. Still...really well made, if you’re choosing a true Japanese NAS, this is one of them better bets.

Good but nowhere near the 12 year. I paid somewhere around $100 total including tax etc to get this shipped to me. I ain’t paying $200 for a 12 year, sorry Hakushu 12… I’ve tried the 12 year and it’s excellent. One of my favorites for sure but I wouldn’t pay more than $70-80 for a 12 year(Edradour 12 Caledonia being the exception). This distillers reserve has a pretty nose but it’s young. Citrus mist with distant peat instantly hits you. An alcohol note is also very present hinting that the dram is young. Mint and licorice along with a vegetable note. The palate provides the same stuff as the nose with a hint of vanilla and is fast gone. I’d give this somewhere in the mid to low 80 point mark like an 83. Definitely not worth the money I paid but I was craving Hakushu after some period of time. Maybe in about 5-10 years this will be regularly available worldwide at $40-60. At $40-60 max id pick it up. A lot of good stuff coming soon from Japan especially after 2024 when the rules take full affect.

Nose: Apple (raeburn, if I may be so bold), grass, citrus zest, a little sandy. After a while some burnt leaves, plastic bucket, fresh cooking herbs like parsley. Some mineral chalky notes. Cucumber and melon note from MoM is on the money. Palate: Great first impression - hit of honey that’s backed up by this really nice earthiness and mossy note. Vegetal more than it is sweet, herbs again. Mint, but that full kind of minty taste you get in Moroccan tea. Not damp like a Ben Nevis, but warm kind of earthiness. Some peppery spice, a little vanilla and light, fresh smoke. Humbugs. More and more bright mint as it goes on. Becomes almost like a fernet branca taste. Finish: Bracing, fresh and menthol. Overall: delicate notes, but quite full on in the mint department. Sweetness alongside that fernet note is really cool. Slightly bitter one that makes me want to try more Hakushu whisky! Almost gets a 4 because it’s not boring.

Knocks the Yamazaki into a cocked hat. I’ve lived here in Japan for almost 30 years and tried a fair few Japanese whiskies in that time. For me Hakushu makes the best of the lot, though Yoichi (Nikka) runs it close. Crisp, clean, a decent touch of fruit, especially apple, but also pear and weirdly, gooseberries, the delicate peat accentuates the malt... perfect. Sadly, the 12 yo is now practically impossible to find, and even the nas version turns up only once in awhile, while the prices for all Japanese whiskies are getting a bit silly. But this Hakushu is the one you really should search out. I actually rate this above the 12yo for its crystal clarity and precision. Stunning, really!

Bad Japanese Whiskies do not exist. That is a true fact. This Single malt, is no exception to that rule. This is a solid Whisky in the nose and palate. Bottled at 43%abv, with an insanely white wine color (almost transparent). On the nose is a mixture between Japanese and scotch Whiskies: Sherry, Brown cake, Raisins, Oranges, Wet grass, Lemons, Liquorice, Cinammon and Honey. On the palate it is a little straightforward: Tobbacco and pepper are the main notes. Slight caramel, Liquorice. Long finish, Hot with lots of character. Overall i give this excelent dram an 87 over 100 (almost a 4.5). Cheers!