We're one year out from a big milestone for both Suntory and Japanese whisky as a category with the 100th anniversary of the start of the whiskymaking in Japan when Suntory's Yamazaki Distillery was first established in 1923 - and while all that dominated headlines, there was another major milestone that was happening that received less attention, that is the 50th anniversary of Suntory's Hakushu Distillery.

In fact, Hakushu Distillery itself was inaugurated on Yamazaki's own 50th anniversary celebration to bring a new dimension to Suntory's whiskymaking.

While we did get some ceremonial labels in celebration of the big event - it's not anything like we're seeing with the Hakushu 50th Anniversary label! 

The Hakushu 50th Anniversary expression features several variations of birds endemic to the forests where Hakushu Distillery resides, at the base of Mount Kaikoma, and in it contains a single blended whisky made of Hakushu's malt whisky distilled in special years - including the year it first opened, 1973, and also grain whisky produced at Hakushu Distillery, making it a single blended expression. It is bottled at 48% ABV.

What we know thus far is that the expression comes in various label variations, and in both the standard Hakushu bottle format and in a smaller clear sample bottle, appearing to be earmarked for employees in appreciation of their efforts to continue to keep the distillery a success.

Kanpai!

88 Bamboo Editorial Team