Founded in 1973, Hakushu is the highest operational distillery in Japan, towering over its competitors at an altitude of 2000 feet above sea-level. It sits in the middle of a thick mountain forest, hence its nickname - ‘The Forest Distillery’. 

Hakushu is a Suntory owned distillery and, while not quite as globally famous as Yamazaki, the quality of single malt whisky produced here is nothing short of outstanding. 

Hakushu is known to use one of the most pristine water supplies in the whole of Japan, drawn from reserves at the base of Mount Kai Komagatake. The water here has a very low mineral content and is much softer than other water-sources elsewhere in the country. Enabling the distillery to create a refreshing, crisp and well-balanced range of expressions. 

Many of the whiskies created here are lightly peated, giving peat lovers the perfect ‘in’ to the world of Japanese whisky.