Hakushu Distillery

Hakushu's exceptionally soft mountain water originates from crystal-clear rainwater and snowmelt, flowing through Mount Kaikomagatoma in the South Japanese Alps before joining the Ojira and Jingu rivers at the foot of the mountain. With four distinct seasons, the pure air and cool, damp climate of Hakushu's vast forests allow the distillery—one of the few located at an altitude of 700 meters or more—to craft high-quality whisky through a slow and unhurried process.

The water and environment at the Hakushu distillery are very different from those at the Yamazaki distillery, as is the brewing process. During fermentation, the artisans exclusively use wooden vats to encourage maturation by trapping heat in the distillery's cool air.

A variety of stills and casks are carefully chosen to suit the high altitude and climate of Hakushu, ultimately producing a range of single malt whiskies with a variety of characters that reflect their environment.

The Hakushu Distillery has recently undergone renovations to emphasize the deep connection between the distillery's excellent whiskies and their pristine natural surroundings. Improvements include a new visitor center and an exhibit at the bird sanctuary, bringing visitors closer to the distillery's surroundings than ever before.