Hakushu Peated Malt 18 Year Old Japanese Whisky
Hakushu Peated Malt 18 Year Old Japanese Whisky is an 18-year-old single malt at 48% ABV, 700mL, from the Hakushu "Mountain Forest" Distillery — the 2024 Tsukuriwake Selection Peated Malt edition. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
This edition was originally launched for Suntory's 100th anniversary celebrations and brought back in 2024 due to popular demand. Unlike the standard Hakushu 18 (lightly peated, 43% ABV), the Peated Malt edition is a meticulous blend of peated malts at different peat intensities — reported at 5, 15, and 40 ppm — aged at least 18 years in Hakushu's mountain-forest environment with exceptionally soft snowmelt water, under American oak influence. The 18-year maturation develops a distinctly Japanese, spicy-and-peppery smoke — more refined and integrated than typical Islay malt.
Tasting profile: luminous gold; vibrant nose of sage, ripe green apple, pineapple, sandalwood, menthol, and refined tobacco smoke; a rich, unctuous palate of complex smoke with herbs, grapefruit, acacia honey, clove, black pepper, caramel, and malt candy; a long finish of clean smoke with green citrus, lime zest, and persistent ash. Browse the Hakushu brand collection, more whisky, and rare top-shelf bottles at Del Mesa Liquor.
Serving note: neat to appreciate the nuances — or the Japanese way: a Morikaoru Highball (1:3 whisky to sparkling water with mint and ice), "Twice Up," or "Half Rock."
How is this different from standard Hakushu 18? Standard 18 uses lightly peated malt at 43% ABV; this Tsukuriwake edition uses more heavily peated malt at 48% ABV for a more pronounced, structured smokiness.
Is it as smoky as an Islay Scotch? Approaching, but distinctly Japanese — the smoke is more refined and integrated than typical Islay malts.
What food pairs with it? Raw oysters, grilled mackerel, smoked salmon, dark miso dishes, umeboshi, pickled ginger, and bitter dark chocolate.
Is it collectible? Yes — a limited experimental Tsukuriwake release, highly sought by Hakushu collectors; retain the original packaging.