Hakushu – 12 Year Old Single Malt Whisky (70cl, 43%)

Hakushu 12 Year Old is a Japanese single malt whisky, bottled at 43% in a 70cl bottle. The distillery was built in 1973 on Mount Kaikomagatake and counts among the highest distilleries in the world. It takes its water from a spring on the mountain, which also gives the distillery its name: Hakushu translates as white sandbanks, after the white stones in the spring bed. The nose is floral, with herbal notes, citrus zest and a touch of smoke. On the palate it is complex and elegantly fruity, with dried fruit, vanilla, undergrowth and a restrained malt sweetness. The finish is long and gently smoky.