Hakushu 12 Japanese Whisky 100th Anniversary Edition

Classification: Japanese Single Malt
Distillery: Hakushu
Mashbill: 100% Malted Barley
Age: 12 Years
Proof: 86

The Hakushu 12 Year Old 100th Anniversary Edition isn’t just a pour—it’s a proper celebration in a glass. Same beloved whisky, dressed up in a limited-edition tux to mark Suntory’s big 100th. And trust me, it knows how to make an entrance.

On the nose, it doesn’t ease in politely—it comes bounding out like it’s been cooped up backstage with a fruit platter and a caffeine drip. Grapefruit, orange, and starfruit do the cha-cha, while honey, vanilla, and graham cracker keep things cozy. Strawberries jump in for good measure, and just when it feels like a fruit parade, along comes oak and dried hay—the brooding characters who remind you this is still whisky, not juice.

On the palate, it’s dessert with a citrus twist: honey-dusted cocoa, vanilla, grapefruit, and orange, with oak and malt adding a little backbone. Then out of nowhere, date and blueberry crash the party. They weren’t invited, but damn if they don’t make the whole thing more fun. The heat? Gentle as a bow and a smile—no burn, just a warm nod.

The finish leans darker and more thoughtful: candied orange, roasted grains, honey, dark chocolate, mint, and a whisper of dried hay. It smolders into a citrusy afterglow that feels like sitting by a campfire while someone hands you rock sugar and insists you take one more bite of dessert.

Overall? This isn’t a bruiser. It doesn’t throw elbows or shout across the room. Instead, it charms you—refined, citrusy, layered, and quietly unforgettable. It’s the kind of whisky that insists you stay for another pour, and honestly, who are we to argue?