Deep in a forest of luscious, vibrant trees lies the Hakushu distillery. If Hansel and Gretel were adults and their tastes were more inclined to fine malt whisky rather than candies and sweets then this is where they may have ended up (although we're sure there is no evil witch at Hakushu waiting to kick you in an oven). Hakushu promotes a fruity, oily whisky that often little peaty flavour.
Founded
1973
Owner
Beam Suntory
Production Status
Operational
Capacity
4, 000,000 Litres
Beautifully located in the middle of a huge nature reserve and bird sanctuary at the foot of Kaikomagatake mountain, Hakushu at one time was said to be the largest malt whisky distillery in the world. Built in 1973 it has it once had 36 pot stills. These were both steam-heated and coal-fired stills. Nowadays only the steam heated still are used.
Hakushu is a massive whisky plant that, like many Japanese distilleries, creates whisky for many single malts and blends. Unlike its sister distillery, Yamazaki, Hakushu distils peated malt at certain times of this year. This smokiness can be found in many of its single malt whisky releases.
Experimental, unique and versatile. The Hakushu distillery is perhaps one of the most interesting in the world. It is certainly of the most beautiful.