Suntory Hakushu 12 Year Old Single Malt Whisky 100th Anniversary (75cl)

A 12 year old single malt from the Hakushu distillery in Japan, made for the centenary of Suntory Whisky. It is a vatting of malts each aged for at least 12 years in a variety of casks. The label illustration shows the distillery in soft greens, a nod to the forest around it. The distillery sits in the mountains at Mt. Kaikomagatake, and the blenders use peat and soften the palate with local mountain water filtered through granite, giving a fresh, gently smoky malt. The colour is champagne gold. Basil, pine needle and green apple lead the nose, then sweet pear, mint and kiwi on the palate. The finish brings green tea and subtle smoke.