From Suntory's mountain distillery, found deep within the forests of Mount Kaikomagatake, Hakushu is a single malt that takes liquid and from the pure waters of the Southern Japanese Alps. This gives it a terrific fresh flavour, many considering it as a uniquely liberating malt whisky. The 25 year old is deep amber in colour and a winner of numerous prestigious awards. Super rare and hard to find, only a few opportunities exist in Australia to add this to any whisky lovers collection.

Apart from Single Malts, Suntory also produces a premium series of blended whiskies under the label 'Hibiki' (meaning 'harmony'), usually containing a high proportion of Single Malt (upwards of 50% according to one of the company's blenders). Thirty different malts are employed from Suntory's three distilleries, most with an age well above 21 years. Hibiki 21 Year Old was, yet again, selected as the best-blended whisky in the world at the World Whisky Awards 2017. Hibiki has been awarded every year at the WWA since 2009. The judges described it as being Elegant, sweet and complex. This whisky is full of dried fruit, orange peel, strawberry jam, and baked apple from start to finish. Smooth, subtle and fairly short. Obvious collector appeal here, but we'd like to imagine this one being appreciated for what's inside the bottle. 43% Alc./Vol.

"A dense harmony created through the weaving together of pure whiskeys of variousages. The gentle union of flavors and a mellowness found only in a pure malt whiskey. Delicate yetcomplex aromas and flavors open up, dancing smoothly in the mouth. Nose: Nutty, with hints ofgreen apple and fresh herbs. Richly rounded with only a slight smokiness. Palate: A crisp alcoholicpresence, solid, yet delicate and smooth in the mouth. Finish: Refreshing and clean aftertaste witha long finish. Vanilla notes give way to understated woody flavors that linger in the mouth."

The Hakushu 18 Year Old is a complex, amazingly well-defined single malt blended with the pure waters of the Southern Japanese Alps. The nose opens with orange, ripe pear and dried mint aromas which merge with notes of oregano, almond, backed by dry smokiness. The palate is soft and delicate with complex notes of jasmine, mango, quince and menthol accented by a sweet hint of manuka honey and baking spice. Notes of citrus, honey and subtle smoke emerge on the lingering finish. Limited Stock

Note: Box has come from a private collection and as such has some minor scuffing/scratches/handling marks. Actual product not pictured. A vatting of whisky from both the now closed Hanyu and Chichibu distilleries. Ichiro Akuto, the founder of Chichibu Distillery (est. 2004), is also the grandson of the founder of Hanyu distillery (shut down in 2000 and dismantled in 2004). Ichiro rescued around 400 casks before the closure. This "Double Distilleries" release is a vatting of two whiskies: Sherry matured Hanyu and Chichibu matured in a Japanese oak cask. A rare treat. Non chill filtered. 46% Alc./Vol.

Tasting note: Matured in a Bourbon cask. Amber gold. Opens a little shy, but develops with a spicy fruity interplay (dried fruits, plums, apricots?) perhaps a touch of grapefruit, then more nutty and sweet-spicy. All very subtle. Silky and mellow beyond its age statement. A deft burst of spice seals the finish. Possibly less fruity than the 3 year old but with a plusher texture. Quite lovely malt. 43% Alc./Vol.

White Oak Distillery have released two new limited editions for 2020 to celebrate the 101st anniversary of their licence to distill. It's not the first time the distillery has highlighted the fact that they were licensed before Kotobukiya (Suntory) and Nikka. However they didn't actually build Japan's first whisky distillery. That was left to Yamazaki. White Oaks new blend and single malt are both sherry matured and named after the parent company. Suitably, the presentation is reminiscent of a century ago, featuring the old Eigashima logo and trademark. The blend is made from 100% UK malt and grain whiskies, finished in sherry casks and bottled at 50% Alc./Vol. Located in the city of Akashi in Hyogo Prefecture, west of Kobe, the White Oak distillery was founded by Eigashima Shuzo - a Sake and Shochu producer since 1888. Despite an early license to manufacture whisky, it was only when the company moved to their current facilities in 1984 that White Oak Distillery was born. The stills here are in operation for just a few month’s of the year, so production is minuscule. Since 2017 Eigashima ceased making Shochu to re-focus their energy into making whisky. They're now working six days a week from April through to July in order to maximise output. Currently there are around 1200 casks ageing at White Oak, the oldest stocks being around eight years old. Most of the maturation is done in first fill Bourbon casks (ex Wild Turkey) and new Sherry casks. However, the warehouse holds everything from refill American to re-charred Shochu casks, Cognac casks, Tequila Casks and even some very special locally coopered casks made from Konara - often reserved for ageing Shochu.

The Yamazaki Distillery is Japan’s first and oldest malt whisky distillery founded in 1923 by Suntory's founder Shinjiro Torii. Yamazaki is not only the soul place of Suntory Whisky but the birthplace of Japanese Whisky. Inspired by traditional Scottish whisky, it is said that Torii selected the land of Yamazaki at the foot of Mt. Tennozan, for its high-quality water source and natural environment ideal for whisky making. Yamazaki was born from the surprising, delicate yet profound experience of a Japanese single malt whisky. Multi-layered with fruit and Mizunara aromas, Yamazaki whiskies are complex and deep. Made at Yamazaki Distillery, the birthplace of Japanese whisky, its signature multi-layered taste is highly praised by whisky connoisseurs all over the world. The House of Suntory honours the birthplace of Japanese whisky, capturing and celebrating the pioneering roots of one of the world’s greatest whiskies from the place Shinjiro Torii chose to begin the illustrious journey of Japanese whisky. Fifth generation Chief Blender Shinji Fukuyo has returned to the roots of what made Yamazaki Single Malt quintessentially Yamazaki: deep, complex and multi-layered with fruit and Mizunara notes. The Yamazaki Smoky Batch The First, a ground breaking Japanese whisky that pushes the boundaries of flavour. Crafted with precision by Suntory’s master distillers, the oldest distillery in Japan, this exceptional single malt showcases the artistry of Japanese whisky-making. With its notes of sweetly fruity flavour, slowly spreading, and gentle smokiness in every sip. It’s often described as possessing the characteristic maturation and balance found in Yamazaki whiskies. However, what sets it apart from regular Yamazaki is its unique quality. A whisky with a distinct “Japanese-style gentle smokiness.” Golden in colour with aromas of pineapple and honey notes with the slightly smoky aroma of glowing embers. On the palate a sweetly fruity flavour, with slowly spreading, gentle smokiness. The finish is faintly woody and peaty flavour elements that linger long after the first sip. This release is part of a limited edition batch, making it a prized addition to any whisky collection. Don’t miss the opportunity to savour the first of its kind from Yamazaki.

In 1918, a young Japanese man with an ambition to make genuine whisky went alone to Scotland to unveil the secret of whisky making. He is Masataka Taketsuru, the founder of Nikka Whisky. Given the chance to go to Scotland, Masataka became the first Japanese ever to master how to make whisky. Given the chance to go to Scotland, Masataka became the first Japanese ever to master how to make whisky. He enrolled at the University of Glasgow, took chemistry courses and then apprenticed at three Scotch distilleries. In 1920 Masataka returned to Japan with his Scottish wife Jessie Roberta (Rita). The two had married earlier that year and Rita decided to immigrate to Japan to support her husband’s dream. However after returning to Japan, Masataka and Rita were heartbroken to find out that Settsu Shuzo, the company which invested in Masataka to learn in Scotland, had to abandon its plan to produce genuine whisky in Japan due to recessions after World War I. In the meantime another company, Kotobukiya Limited (Suntory), was in search for someone who could conduct whisky production. Being the only Japanese who knew how to produce whisky at that time, Masataka was hired by Kotobukiya in 1923 to direct building the Yamazaki Distillery. There he led the project and devoted himself to producing Japan’s first genuine whisky. These limited edition 2 bottle set of the Yoichi and Miyagiko has been finished in Nikka’s apple brandy casks and bottled in 2020 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Masataka and Rita’s marriage in 1920. At the foundation in 1934, apple products helped Nikka to keep the business sustainable while the first whiskies were maturing, just like Rita supported Masataka’s dream. Both of these whiskies have the delicate aroma of apples, with the expression showcasing a beautiful harmony of finesse and sweetness brought by apple brandy casks. The Yoichi single malt’s original characteristics appear such as rich malt flavors, gentle peaty notes and smokiness and the Miyagikyo single malt’s has its original characteristics such as distinctive hints of Sherry and spiciness like cinnamon.

Established more than 100 years ago, the Eigashima distillery mostly focuses on producing sake and shochu. In 1984, however, it began making proper whisky known as White Oak. In the following years, the distillery made only blended whisky until 2007 when it started production on single malts as well. The Akashi Meïsei, which translates roughly as 'celebrity' in Japanese, is a limited edition blended Japanese whisky. White Oak Akashi Meisei Blended Whisky is made with 45% American oak matured single malt.