{"product_id":"hakushu-whisky-18yo","title":"Hakushu 18 Year Old Single Malt Whisky","description":"\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eDistillery Background and History\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eHakushu is a forest-located distillery owned by Suntory, founded in 1973 in what is now Hokuto, Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e It lies in the foothills of the Southern Japanese Alps, with clean mountain air and water, which contribute to its fresh, green character. The distillery expanded with a “Hakushu East” site in 1981, though production now is centered at the newer location.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eMaster Distiller and Production Philosophy\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eSuntory’s blending team oversees Hakushu’s expressions (including the 18 Year), following a philosophy of balance—combining subtle peat, forest herbal notes, and fruit through multiple maturation types without any one component dominating. The goal is finesse, complexity, and a reflection of the mountain environment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eSource of Ingredients (Grain, Water, Yeast)\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eHakushu 18 is made from \u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e100% malted barley\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e. The water is sourced from the local mountain springs and streams around the distillery, filtered through granite and forest terrain, yielding pure and soft water. Yeast strains are proprietary to Suntory, tuned to produce delicate esters and complement the vegetative\/forest notes characteristic of Hakushu.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eDistillation Process\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe whisky is distilled in copper pot stills. Hakushu employs multiple still shapes (varying neck heights, geometry) to produce a spectrum of spirit characteristics that can later be blended. Cuts (heads, hearts, tails) are precisely controlled to capture expressive herbal, fruity, and smoky character while minimizing harsh notes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eMaturation \u0026amp; Cask Information\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eHakushu 18 is aged a minimum of 18 years (age-statement). The blend includes components matured in ex-bourbon American oak, ex-sherry (European oak) casks, and Mizunara (Japanese oak). The incorporation of multiple cask types adds layers of wood spice, incense, fruit, and depth.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eNose:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Ripe pear, dried mint, oregano, herbal forest notes, with a hint of smoke.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ePalate:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Jasmine, mango, quince, menthol, honey, toasted oak, clove, green grape, with delicate smoke emerging in the later stages.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eFinish:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Long, pleasantly smoked, with mouth-coating oak, herbal bitterness, and lingering crisp fruit and woody spice.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eFood Pairing Suggestions\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eGrilled or lightly smoked fish, sushi, shellfish, lightly sauced meats, forest mushrooms, and desserts with orchard fruit (e.g., pear tart, apple strudel). The blend of fruit, oak and subtle smoke complements both savory and lightly sweet dishes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eServing Suggestions and Ideal Glassware\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eServe \u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eneat\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e or with a few drops of water to coax open aromatics. Use a \u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eGlencairn\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e or tulip whisky glass to focus the aromas. Serving temperature around \u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e18-20 °C\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e is ideal. Allow the whisky to rest in the glass for a few minutes before tasting to let layers develop.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eStorage and Aging Potential\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eOnce bottled, Hakushu 18 is stable—store upright in a cool, dark place (~15-20 °C). Because it’s age-statement and mature, further aging in the bottle will not significantly improve it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eGrain Type \u0026amp; Mash Bill\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eSingle Malt (100 % malted barley)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eABV (Alcohol by Volume)\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e43%\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Jebsen","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47922276761814,"sku":null,"price":5625.0,"currency_code":"HKD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0809\/5465\/4934\/files\/HakushuWhisky18Yo.png?v=1773668134","url":"https:\/\/www.pinotera.com\/products\/hakushu-whisky-18yo","provider":"Pinotera Wines \u0026 Spirits","version":"1.0","type":"link"}