Disclaimer: this is both my first Hakushu and my first japanese whisky. Coming from tastings of Talisker, Lagavulin, Laphroig and other great single malt scotchs, I find Hibiki 12 a disappointment. The price led me to have high expectations that didn't met with the profile I was looking for after drinking other great whiskies. One thing that stroke me immediately was the lack of apparent sophistication. It had a profile closer to €20/€30 whiskies, not what I had in mind for this. Wrapped up, it's good. Just too far ahead from the expectations created by the price. This is the most expensive whisky I've ever had and far from being the best.