Tastes

Very interesting whisky. Has a lot of citrus, green fruit, and toffee notes with taste similar to Sauternes.

67.8 abv. Divine. A full flavored bourbon of caramel, chocolate, cherries, leather, vanilla, and spices. Quite smooth for a barrel proof. Spices shine on the finish

This is a decent and light whisky with notes of kiwi and hints of peat. Preference between this and the Hakushu 12 depends on one’s flavor profile. Want a light whisky that is very smooth and also works for sipping neat, on big block of ice, highball, or cocktail, go with distiller Reserve. Want something with more flavors, go with Hakushu 12 that is soon to be discontinued. Rack up on the Hakushu 12s if ur in the latter as the distiller Reserve is not sold in the US and Hakushu 18 prices could go up roof like yamazaki 18 with Hakushu 18 soon being only Hakushu available in US.

A very good Bourbon like Japanese. Notes of caramel, vanilla, and berries. Better than the Hibiki Harmony. Had this in a tasting along the Hibiki Harmony, Hakushu Distiller Reserve, Hakushu 12, Suntory Old, JBA Byron, and the Yoichi Hokkaido Limited Edition.

Very good. Smooth with various flavors of chocolate covered raisins and vanilla along with a little earthiness.

With Hibiki 17 being discontinued, I decided to go all in and try the 21. This is sick. Very rich with notes of dried fruit, burnt caramel, cherries, berries, a little Hakushu smoke, and mizunara on the nose and chocolate covered fruits on the palate, and a toffee and fruity finish. Update: Got a $25 1 oz pour of this at Sanford’s Astoria and citrus and toffee joined the flavor mix.