Hakushu 18 Year Old Peated Malt & Yamazaki 18 Mizunara Japanese Whisky 2025 Edition

The Hakushu 18 Year Old Peated Malt 2025 Edition is a rare single malt whisky from the Hakushu Distillery, nestled in the forests of Japan’s Southern Alps. Crafted using traditional methods, this expression showcases the harmony between peated malt and the pristine mountain environment. Aged for 18 years in a variety of oak casks, it offers a refined balance of smoke, herbal notes, and subtle sweetness.

Tasting Notes:

• Nose: Lively aromas of sage, ripe green apple, and hints of ripe pineapple, intertwined with clean mountain air and a wisp of campfire smoke.

• Palate: A complex wave of smoke revealing layers of herbal notes, grapefruit, and acacia honey, with a gentle peat influence.

• Finish: Clean and lingering smoke, with under notes of fresh green citrus, providing a refreshing aftertaste. 

• Limited Release: Produced in exceptionally small quantities, making it a coveted addition for collectors and connoisseurs.

• Refined Peat Integration: The peat is gentle and balanced, harmonizing with Hakushu’s signature fresh and herbal style.

• Mature Complexity: 18 years of aging impart depth, smoothness, and intricate flavor development.

• Celebration of Nature: Embodies the essence of Hakushu’s mountain setting and Japan’s meticulous craftsmanship.

 Yamazaki 18 Mizunara Japanese Whisky 2025 Edition

As part of the Mizunara Series, this expression represents a core extension of the Yamazaki brand, highlighting the artistry and rarity of Japanese Mizunara oak. Known for its distinctive aroma and flavour, Mizunara has been integral to Yamazaki since the 1940s, when scarcity of American oak after the war led to its adoption. The wood is notoriously difficult to work with, requiring trees over 200 years old and more than 70 cm in diameter to yield usable casks, making each release a rare achievement.

Matured exclusively in Mizunara oak for 18 years, this whisky captures the complexity and depth associated with Japan’s most elusive cask type. The Mizunara oak imparts notes of sandalwood, agarwood, and oriental spice, complementing Yamazaki’s refined character.

Tasting Notes:
Nose: Dark cherry, ripe peach, cinnamon, nutmeg
Palate: Spiced orange, apricot, Japanese incense
Finish: Long and lingering with clove, sandalwood and dried coconut