The Hakushu 12 Year Old is Suntory’s iconic forest-style single malt, produced at the Hakushu Distillery deep within the forests of Mount Kaikomagatake in the Japanese Alps. Known for its fresh, herbal and subtly smoky profile, Hakushu offers a completely different perspective on Japanese whisky compared with the richer Yamazaki style.
Matured for a minimum of 12 years in a variety of casks including American oak, the whisky combines crisp fruit, delicate smoke and vibrant greenery-like freshness. Elegant and highly distinctive, it has become one of the most sought-after age-statement Japanese whiskies in the world.
Tasting Notes
Colour: Champagne gold with bright green-gold reflections.
Nose: Fresh and vibrant. Aromas of green apple, pear and mint are layered with cucumber skin, fresh herbs and soft smoke. Subtle hints of citrus blossom and pine emerge beautifully in the glass.
Palate: Light yet complex. Crisp orchard fruit, honey and delicate malt sweetness are balanced by gentle peat smoke and cooling herbal notes. The texture is silky and precise, with remarkable freshness throughout.
Finish: Clean, refreshing and lightly smoky, with lingering mint, citrus and soft oak spice.
Technical Details
Distillery: Hakushu
Producer: Suntory
Region: Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan
Style: Japanese Single Malt Whisky
Age Statement: 12 Years
Maturation: Primarily American oak casks with multiple cask styles used for complexity
Hakushu 12 Year Old has earned major international recognition, including:
Multiple Gold Medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition
Strong ratings from Whisky Advocate and global whisky critics
Widely regarded as one of the defining modern Japanese whiskies
Its return after temporary discontinuation significantly increased global demand and collectability.
Delivery within South Africa:
All orders are delivered from our central warehouse located in Montague Gardens, Western Cape. Local orders are usually delivered in 0-2 working days. Orders outside of Cape Town but within SA are generally delivered within 2-5 working days. If you require expedited delivery, we now offer an Express delivery service, which typically takes 1-3 working days, depending on your area.
While we strive for timely deliveries, there are occasional instances where delays may occur. These are rare but can happen due to unforeseen circumstances.
Delivery Rates:
At checkout, you will be presented with delivery options and corresponding rates. These rates are provided directly by our courier partners and are displayed as is. On rare occasions, a courier may generate an incorrect delivery rate due to issues with the address recognition. In such cases, we will arrange for an alternative courier to deliver your order at a similar rate to the original cost.
We believe in offering transparency in our delivery fees and, as such, do not include any delivery costs in our product pricing. We do not profit from delivery fees.
Third-Party Couriers:
For the majority of our orders, we rely on third-party courier services for delivery. Regular notifications will be sent and on the day of delivery the couriers will notify you via sms, call or email . If the courier is unable to reach you, we will get in touch with you to arrange an alternative solution.
Please note, you will be required to sign upon delivery, and the drivers may request a form of identification.
If there is something wrong with your product, we will gladly issue a full refund of 100% of your purchase amount. To process this, please reach out to us at info@mothercityliquor.co.za as soon as possible, and we will guide you through the refund process.
Order Cancellations: If you need to cancel your order, simply email us at info@mothercityliquor.co.za, and we’ll assist you with the cancellation process. Please note, cancellations will incur a small fee of 10%, which covers the transaction fees we incur for processing each order. If your order has already been shipped, please be aware that the shipping fee is non-refundable.
Consignment Orders:
We do not offer consignment stock or consignment deals.
Returns:
If you find that there is an issue with your product, you are eligible to return it to us. Here’s how you can initiate the return:
Exceptions to Returns:
Sale or Special Offer Items: Only regular-priced items are eligible for a refund. Unfortunately, items purchased on sale or as part of a special offer cannot be refunded.
