Hakushu Distiller’s Reserve

Review by: Raygun

This NAS expression appears to have been introduced a few years ago when stocks of the 12 were getting low. Was given as a gift to a friend, who opened it to share.

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Distillery: Hakushu

Bottler: Hakushu

Region: Japan

ABV: 43%

Age: NAS

Cask type: unknown

Price: In Taiwan, about $100 USD

Color: 1.1 burnished. Natural Color. Non-chill-filtered.

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Nose: Earth, caramel, and some kind of wood. Not oak. Like sandalwood. Some Indian spices.

Palate: Good flavor for 43%. Vanilla, mild peat, earth, chocolate, and a spice flavor I can’t pin down, but it’s nice. Does taste young and a little undeveloped.

Finish: Starts very similar to the palate with vanilla, earth, and sandalwood. Pleasant, but doesn’t last very long. Gets a touch bitter, too.

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Conclusion: 

It’s OK. Certainly not as good as I remember the 12 being, which was my favorite among the Hakushu, Hibiki, and Yamazaki 12s. This has some very interesting flavors going on and you can feel the potential there, but it’s just not realized enough. 

Buy a bottle? No.

Final Score: 69

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Scoring Legend:

• 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable whisky.
• 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category.
• 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram.
• 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff.
• 75-79: Decent whisky worth tasting.
• 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better.
• 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink.
• 50-59: Save it for mixing.
• 0-49: Blech.