Hakushu Whisky

The Hakushu distillery was founded in 1973 and is situated at the foot of Mount Kaikomagatake in the Yamanashi Prefecture. The distillery is very attractive with a double pagoda roof rising out of a large forested area. The name Hakushu is Japanese for ‘white sandbar’ which make reference to geological characteristics in the rivers close by. 

Owners Suntory increased the capacity of the distillery in 1977 by adding another six pairs of stills in a separate building bringing the total to twelve pairs. Then shortly afterwards ‘Hakushu East’ on the same site was developed. Production in the first two Hakushu buildings ‘Hakushu West’ has now ceased with ‘Hakushu East’ taking centre stage. In this great new distillery the stills vary allowing for better contrasts and quality in the whisky produced. The maximum capacity is currently three million litres of spirits per year and the stills are heated by coal fires.