The Hakushu 12 is one of the finest whiskies made in Japan. It’s also becoming harder to find and increasingly more expensive.
This post covers this elite Hakushu whisky in detail. You’ll learn where to get the best price and about its collectibility.
Also covered are tasting notes, pairing and service suggestions, similar whiskies, and more. At the end of the post, you can share your thoughts and tasting notes for this classic Japanese whisky.
Finding and Buying Hakushu 12
Finding Hakushu 12 Year is not too difficult. Finding it for a good price is a little trickier. Below we discuss the typical prices at restaurants and retail shops. We also recommend different places you can reliably find this iconic Japanese single malt.
The Hakushu Single Malt Whisky Price & Where to Find
Since Suntory scared the world by temporarily discontinuing Hakushu 12 (in 2018), prices have been rising. Luckily, it’s back, so do not overpay!
Many quality Japanese restaurants and bars will carry Hakushu 12. It’s one of the top handful of recognizable brands, so it behooves buyers to carry it. Non-Japanese bars with good spirits selections will also often carry this great whisky.
Restaurant (on-premise) prices will vary but expect to pay between $30 and $40 in the US for a 1.5-ounce pour.
A bar cost of 20% comes in around $38 for most of the country’s markets. If you can find it for less than $30, you’re getting a good deal. The Hakushu 12 price in Japan is slightly lower on average.
If you’re looking to buy a bottle of Hakushu 12 retail, there are several places you can look. Big retailers like Costco, Binny’s, BevMo!, and Total Wine are all worth checking. Many smaller liquor stores and shops will also carry this whisky. It’s just too profitable not to! But on that note, be wary of overpaying.
There is no Hakushu 12 msrp. Retailer prices vary wildly. The low end of the price range is around $150 and goes up to $200 (in the US). The Hakushu 12 price in Japan isn’t any cheaper. You’ll still have to shop around.
Online retailers can often be more competitive, even with delivery fees. With this route, you can look for a great price from the comfort of your home. Below are several sponsored delivery options.
Shop Online Retailers of Hakushu 12-Year Single Malt
If you’re looking for a bottle of Hakushu whisky, check out the sponsored retailers below. Prices and availability will vary by location, so please shop around.
We may earn commissions from qualifying purchases.
What’s your favorite source for Japanese whisky? Without blowing up your secret spot, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Leave a comment at the bottom of this post.
Hakushu 12 Tasting Notes
Hakushu 12 is a malty and herbal whisky with a mild peaty flavor. It is medium-bodied, with a dry impression, and a crisp finish. Oak spice in the form of vanilla, cinnamon, and caramel are also present.
Specific tasting notes include savory, toasty malt, green apple, quince, lemon peel, dried flowers, almond, pine, mint, basil, heather, honey, tobacco, faint smoke, and wet concrete.
Overall, Hakushu 12-year is refreshing and smooth. It has a complex mix of herbal, fruity, and spicy characteristics.
Did I miss anything? Share your tasting notes or opinions at the bottom of this post.
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Similar Whiskies to Hakushu
If you can’t find a bottle of Hakushu 12, or just want to try something else you may like, we recommend the following whiskies.
Hakushu 18 is the more mature sibling of the 12 year. It’s darker and more savory. And it also has more nutty Sherry cask influence. But the two whiskies share the herbal, peaty, appley, mineral, and crisp Hakushu house style.
Learn more about Hakushu 18 from my full review.
Nikka Yoichi and Mars Komagatake single malts have a relatively similar flavor profile. The Yoichi whiskies are a little more intense and peaty overall.
Highland Park 12 Year is a delicious single malt Scotch whisky that is also highly recommended. Benromach 10 Year Old is another great Scotch, and it has a flavor that is reminiscent of Hakushu 12.
Hakushu 12 vs Yamazaki 12
Hakushu and Yamazaki are the two legendary malt whisky distilleries from Suntory. Hakushu whiskies are more herbal, peatier, and have a crisp, mineral finish. Green apple notes are Bourbon barrel influences are prominent. In comparison, Yamazaki whiskies are softer, more floral, and deeply fruity.
Both Hakushu 12 and Yamazaki 12 are bottled at 43% ABV (86 proof).
Check out my complete guide to Yamazaki 12 Year. I cover tasting notes, the best retailers, prices, collectibility, pairings, and more.
Food Pairing Hakushu Single Malt Whiskies
Most consumers are going to enjoy this Japanese whisky on its own. However, it does pair with a variety of different foods.
Raw oysters are a great pairing with Hakushu 12. Scotch and oysters is a food pairing classic, and the same principles work here too.
Another surprising pairing is Hakushu and salt-grilled mackerel (saba shioyaki). The herbal and minty qualities of the whisky marry with the fish. And the crisp, mineral-driven finish of Hakushu cleanses the palate for the next bite.
I also enjoy smoked cheese and nuts as a snack alongside Hakushu whisky.
But if you really want to go big, grilled steak is the ultimate pairing with Hakushu. Fatty cuts like New York strip and ribeye work especially well. Either black Angus or wagyu will taste great. But you’ll get the most style points from the wagyu.
Do you have a favorite Yamazaki food pairing? Share it with everyone by commenting at the bottom of this post.
Hakushu Distillery Print
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Hakushu 12 Service Recommendations
Hakushu 12 is a whisky that is most often consumed neat. A single ice cube is a nice option to bring the temperature of the whisky down slightly without much dilution.
Taking this idea further, a large ice cube will chill Hakushu with a slow, deliberate dilution.
Finally, serving Hakushu on the rocks (roku) is ideal if you’re not accustomed to the intensity of whisky. With this final method, you’ll want to be careful not to use too much ice.
Hakushu 12 is a relatively light whisky. Excessive dilution can drown some of the more subtle characteristics.
The Hakushu Highball
That said, it’s also popular to enjoy Hakushu 12 as a whisky highball—at least in the past. To do this properly, be sure to use a chilled highball glass and very cold soda.
Chill the Hakushu over ice and strain into the iced glass. Then while tilting, pour the cold soda down the side. One quick stir is all that’s needed.
Mineral water like Perrier or Saint-Geron is recommended.
To finish the Hakushu highball, express a lemon over the top of the cocktail. And since Hakushu is often called the “mountain forest distillery”, it’s also nice to top the highball with a cluster of mint tops. Give the mint a smack and rub it around the glass before placing it inside. The citrus and mint marry with the lemon and herbal flavors of Hakushu.
This forest fragrance variation is a really sexy way to enjoy Hakushu whisky.
I love whisky highballs and wrote an entire page about them. It includes recipes plus recommended whiskies and waters.
Recommended Professional Whisky Glasses
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Hakushu 12YR Product Information
Whisky Type: Single Malt
Cask: ex-Bourbon, ex-Oloroso Sherry
ABV: 43% (86 proof)
About the Hakushu Distillery
The Hakushu Distillery is the second whisky distillery from Suntory. It’s located on the high-altitude slopes of Mount Kaikomagatake in Yamanashi, Japan. The climate here is much cooler than Yamazaki, allowing Hakushu whiskies to mature more slowly.
Hakushu is also known for its use of peated malt. This, plus the cooler climate, gives these whiskies a more Scotch-like character compared to Yamazaki. These whiskies are indeed peatier. They have aren’t quite as fruity as Yamazaki, either. Hakushu whiskies are herbal, nutty, spicy, and have a wonderfully crisp finish.
Check out Suntory’s official Hakushu Whisky page.
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