Hakushu 12, 43% ABV. Gold Metal, International Spirits Competition, 2024. This single malt features bourbon and sherry aged woods and peated and non-peated malts. Suntory opened the Hakushu Distillery in 1973 within the foothills of Mt. Kaikoma, part of the Akaishi mountain range in central Japan. First introduced in 1994, this 12yo was discontinued in some markets in 2019 due to high demand for aged Japanese whisky, then brought back in 2021. I like it a tad better than its brethren, Yamazaki 12. Fruity early on, a little wisp of peat and spiciness in the finish works well with me. Both are excellent.