Suntory – Distiller’s Reserve Whiskies from Hakushu and Yamazaki
Tonight we will start with the Hakushu.
Hakushu Distillery,
2913-1, Torihara,
Hakushu-cho,
Hokuto-shi,
Yamanashi.
Japan.
Owner – Suntory
website – www.suntory.com
Half a century after Yamazaki distillery was founded Suntory constructed their second distillery, Hakushu in 1973.
Hakushu is one of the worlds highest distilleries, built in Japan’s Southern Alps.
Let’s open the bottle and have a wee taste or two.
Hakushu – Distiller’s Reserve Single Malt Whisky, No Age Statement, 43% Alc/vol 70cl.
Colour…Light buttercup
Nose…Daisy’s in the grass, lavender stalks, pineapple chunks and over ripe melons, hint of floral smoke, cottage garden, mint chewing gum.
Taste…Melon balls, botanicals, light vanilla toffee, fresh coconuts, mandarin segments in juice, oak shavings, smoke is still sitting there quite quietly.
Finish…Medium to long, a floral fruity freshness, the smoke lingers dancing all over your palate.
Another smashing wee dram from the house of Suntory. As this Whisky retails at only £42.00 there should be no excuse for us all not to have a bottle in our cabinets. Just today Jim was in Sainsbury’s in Stirling and both Distiller’s Reserve bottling’s were on the shelves, well done Sainsbury’s we need more shops to stock more expressions of Whisky.
Next tonight is the Yamazaki. The Birthplace of Japanese Whisky.
Way back in 1923 the founder of Suntory ( Shinjiro Torii ) built Japan’s first Malt Whisky distillery in the Vale of Yamasaki, on the outskirts of the ancient capital of Japan, Kyoto. Spirit first ran from the still on the 11th November 1924.
Today the most popular Single Malt Whisky in Japan is indeed a Yamazaki.
Yamazaki Distillery,
Shimamoto-cho,
Mishima-gun,
Osaka,618-0001
Japan
Owner – Suntory
Yamazaki Distillery has twelve stills of three different varieties which allows the production of a range of flavours used in Suntory’s blended Whiskies.
Yamasaki – Distiller’s Reserve Single Malt Whisky, No Age Statement, 43% Alc/vol 70cl.
Colour…Regal gold
Nose…Red currants, blueberry muffins, Sangria, strawberry cheesecake, vanilla sponge, dried fruits, wee hint of chocolate drops.
Taste…Scones and jam, an oak desk, milk chocolate bounty bar, freshly stewing soft fruit. refreshing.
Finish…Short to medium finish, creamy sweet and fruity.
The Hakushu is a great wee dram but this very fine Yamazaki just edges it. Again we must suggest that we all have a bottle in our cupboard, your guests will enjoy a grand dram of an evening.
This bottling also retails at only £42.00, now thats a deal.
Congratulations to all at Suntory, two great Single Malts, all should be proud of this wee triumph.
