Korosue, the dedicated whisky retail outlet I frequently visit and recommend in Kobe, now have back in stock and available for order, exceptional malt from the Hakushu distillery. The “ Heavily Peated” NAS expression is once again back; the 2010 release that has a limited production of 2000 bottles can be purchased for 8,190 yen (around $95). The 2009 release rose to fame when it won gold medal at the International Spirits Challenge (ISC), since then this gem can be quite an adventure to track down. Bottled at 48 percent and non-chill filtered, this moderately peated Hakushu does not disappoint (Hakushu never does). Slightly creamy, with an abundance of welcoming smoke, this very deep and flavoursome malt is around only while stocks last. Details of the store can be found here.
Image kindly obtained from the Korosue website. Thank you.
I've only heard good things about this one both previous and current batches.
ReplyDeleteI have a bottle of '93 Hakushu Cask Strength Heavily Peated so am looking forward to seeing how this NAS bottling stacks up when I finally get a chance to taste it.
Brian, thanks for pointing out that this one is the NAS. I forgot to mention that. Look forward to your review on it when and if you get the chance.
ReplyDeleteWell the plan is to go to Hakushu when we are in Japan in October(had to get the go ahead from the mrs),so if it all works out will be buying/trying a number of whiskys there I haven't tried before. I've heard good things about their NAS Bourbon Barrel as well.
ReplyDeleteFunny, the Heavily Peated NAS was one of the first Japanese whisky's recommended to me in Zoetrope Bar Tokyo a couple of years ago or so but the bar budget ran out after the first seven so never got to try it.
That explains your sourcing of Japanese malt Brian. I tried the 2009 NAS Heavily Peated Hakushu at the Yamazaki distillery, I presume the Hakushu distillery has the same concept (if you already haven't been there?), after the tour/visit, you can head to their in-house sampling bar where a very good selection of Suntory malt is on offer for around 300 yen. That's after the initial free tasting session that is!
ReplyDeleteDo you get sent bottles directly by post to Australia from Japan?
3 of us will be going to Japan, I will get the duty free allowance of all 3 which is 6.75 litres(about 9 bottles). If there are more bottles than that I buy, then I will post the extras to myself.
ReplyDeleteI also know other people who go to Japan and will have them bring me back bottles.
Familiar with the duty free allowance, though, throughout my decade here I have never posted any alcohol back to Australia by post, quite simply because I didn't think it would be possible so I never looked into it. I guess living here permanently you don't, but if I moved back home I would like to know I still could indulge in Japan's finest.
ReplyDeleteHakushu does have a fairly large menu of malts to try after the tour. Unfortunately for me I hit the start of the highball campaign when I was there and that was what the free tasting consisted of: Hakushu 10 y/o highballs.
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