Hakushu Distiller's Reserve

Tasted alongside the Hakushu 12 Nose: Apple juice! Cucumber, a tiny hint of peppermint, like peppermint tea bags. Palate: herbaceous, crisp, smoke is noticeable. Something citrusy shines. Bright and punchy/vibrant, but perhaps each note is short-lived. Finish: herbal and fresh, soft rounded smoke, a little prickly with a background of green apple. At $160 this bottle is delicious and offers mouthwatering flavors. A whisky that actually made me salivate a bit from its fresh vibrancy. While the flavors are a bit bold and punchy, bordering on fleeting, this whisky is exciting. The interesting aspect comes from comparing it to the 12-year-old Hakushu. The Hakushu 12 is definitely excellent. The additional time in the barrel integrates everything wonderfully, softening and unifying the flavors, but tasting the 12 simultaneously with the DR makes me wonder if the 12 has traded bold and exciting flavors for subtlety and nuance; to its detriment. The 12, to me, just isn't as exciting, no matter how good it is. With the DR at $160 and the 12 a whopping $450, I struggle to say the 12 is worth the extra money. Sure, it's superior, but is it as enjoyable? I'm inclined to say no. The 12 lacks the vibrancy on the nose of the DR, and that apple juice is just so good. The zingy DR flavors that pop out are exciting and refreshing, making me want more. The 12 does, however, have the slightest salty brine note in the finish (think Laphroaig) that is exquisite; I searched for it in the DR but couldn't find it. The 12 is certainly something to try, but when my bottle runs out, if it gets replaced, it will be with a DR, even though I rate it lower.

The mere words “Japanese whiskey” evoke images of exotic, expensive, and very good whiskey. Good enough to have challenged their Scottish counterparts. But in recent years, it’s been difficult to differentiate between genuine Japanese whiskey and those sourced from Canada, Scotland, and the US. In Japan, with lenient regulations, one can source whiskey from anywhere, and as long as it's aged (for an 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 pounds), but in reality, you're getting a 16 yr Canadian or American. However, there are still some purely Japanese-made spirits—like Hakushu (along with Yamazaki, Yoichi, Chita, and a few others). Unfortunately, age statements are rare and expensive. I opened this from my collection last night with some family over for the holidays. I wasn't in the mood to open my Hakushu 12, 18, or Heavily Peated, so I chose this one. I love Hakushu’s aroma—pine and forests. The taste is peaty, with more of that fresh forest. A sweet finish. If I hadn't tried their amazing 12, I would have given this a 4-4.25. But, as good as it is, it's not on par with the 12. Still... really well-made. If you're choosing a true Japanese NAS, this is one of the better options.

This is good, but not nearly as good as the 12-year. I spent around $100, including shipping and taxes, to get this. I'm not willing to pay $200 for a 12-year, apologies to Hakushu 12. I've tasted the 12-year, and it's exceptional, truly one of my favorites, but I wouldn't spend more than $70-80 on a 12-year (Edradour 12 Caledonia being the exception). This Distiller's Reserve has an appealing nose but is young. Citrus mist with faint peat hits you immediately. An alcoholic note is also quite noticeable, suggesting the dram is young. Mint and licorice, along with a vegetal note. The palate offers the same flavors as the nose, with a hint of vanilla, and fades quickly. I'd place this in the low to mid-80s, around an 83. It's certainly not worth what I paid, but I was craving Hakushu after a while. Perhaps in 5-10 years, this will be widely available globally for $40-60. At that price point, I would consider buying it. Many excellent Japanese spirits are expected soon, especially after 2024 when the new regulations fully take effect.

Nose: Apple (a bold claim), vegetation, citrus peel, a bit grainy. Later, charred leaves, a plastic container, fresh cooking greens like parsley. Some chalky minerality. The melon and cucumber note mentioned elsewhere is accurate. Palate: A great initial impact – honey followed by a really pleasant earthiness and mossy character. More vegetal than sweet, with herbs again. Mint, but the full intensity found in Moroccan tea. Not damp like a specific distillery's malt, but a warm earthiness. Some peppery spice, a bit of vanilla, and light, fresh smoke. Candies. Ever-increasing bright mint. It starts to resemble a fernet branca flavor. Finish: Sharp, clean, and mentholated. Overall: Subtle notes overall, but quite potent in the mint aspect. The sweetness combined with that fernet taste is very neat. A slight bitterness that compels a desire to sample more of that whisky! It nearly earns a 4 because it avoids being dull.

This surpasses the other Japanese whisky. Having resided in Japan for nearly three decades and sampled numerous Japanese spirits, I find this distillery's offerings to be the finest, with another well-known brand coming close. It's crisp, clean, with a pleasant fruit presence, particularly apple, but also pear and surprisingly, gooseberries. The gentle peat enhances the malt... excellent. Unfortunately, the 12 year old is now extremely scarce, and even the non-age-statement version appears infrequently, with prices for all Japanese spirits escalating considerably. However, this particular spirit is highly recommended. I actually consider it superior to the 12 year old due to its exceptional clarity and refinement. Truly remarkable!

There are no bad Japanese Whiskies. That is a true statement. This Single Malt is no exception to that rule. This is a solid Whisky on the nose and palate. Bottled at 43% abv, with an incredibly white wine color (almost transparent). On the nose, it's a mix between Japanese and Scotch Whiskies: Sherry, Brown cake, Raisins, Oranges, Wet grass, Lemons, Liquorice, and Cinnamon and Honey. On the palate, it's a little straightforward: Tobacco and pepper are the main notes. Slight caramel, Liquorice. Long finish, Hot with lots of character. Overall, I give this excellent dram an 87 out of 100 (almost a 4.5). Cheers!