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Hakushu
Founded
1973
Region
Japan
Status
Operational
Company
Production type
Single Malt
Production capacity
3,000,000 litres per year
Hakushu was the third distillery to be built by Suntory and opened in 1973. It is located at the foot of the Southern Japan Alps, a location deliberately chosen by Suntory to provide a contrast to the style of spirit produced at its flagship malt distillery, Yamazaki.
The current distillery was built in 1981 (referred to at the time as Hakushu East) and has stills of varying shapes and sizes which are able to produce a wide range of distillate character. This is in contrast to the now-dormant original site (referred to as Hakushu West) which had twenty-four large stills, identical in shape and size but only capable of producing one particular style of spirit.
As with the single malt and single grain bottlings from its sister distilleries, Yamazaki and Chita, whisky from Hakushu is marketed as a subset of the overarching Suntory Whisky brand. All three are packaged in the same style, differentiated only by their colour scheme which in the case of Hakushu, is shades of green and yellow.
Suntory had designs on introducing a Hakushu brand as early as 1985, however with only 12 years of stock by that point, the company's blenders fought back and the idea was shelved. The plan was re-hatched in 1994 and the 12-year-old was launched, with the company opting to showcase the smokier of the spirit styles produced at the distillery. A 10-year-old was then added to the range in 1998 but was discontinued again fifteen years later. Still in production however are the 18- and 25-year-old, which was added to the brand's portfolio in 2006 and 2008, respectively.
As of 2012, the proprietary expression within the core range has been a non-age statement called Distiller's Reserve.
Current owner
2009-present
1973-2009
Suntory Hakushu Distillery
2913-1 Hakushucho Torihara
Hokuto
Yamanashi 408-0316
Japan
1973
1977
1988
1994
1998
2006
2008
2010
2012
2013
2014
2018
2021
Construction completed at Hakushu in February.
Production capacity is doubled at original site, now referred to as "Hakushu 1."
Second building known as "Hakukshu 2" is built and at the time was biggest distillery in the world.
"Hakushu 3" is built in June, it becomes known as "Hakushu East" while 1 and 2 are collectively referred to as "Hakushu West."
Production at "Hakushu West" ceases.
Hakushu brand is introduced with launch of 12-year-old.
Hakushu 10-year-old is launched.
Hakushu 18-year-old is launched,
Hakushu 25-year-old is launched,
Suntory build a separate grain distillery on the site and begin experimentation in December.
First non-age statement single malt released in domestic market as part of core range.
Hakushu grain distillery officially opened in May to coincide with 40th anniversary.
Hakushu 10-year-old is discontinued.
Non-age statement release is rolled out globally under the name Distiller's Reserve.
Hakushu 12-year-old is temporarily discontinued in June following stock shortages.
Hakushu 12-year-old returns to shelves.
Active brands
Single Malt
