Hakushu 18 Year Old vs Yamazaki Limited Edition 2023
A side-by-side look at two Japanese whiskies to help you decide which one fits your palate and budget.
At a Glance
| Hakushu 18 Year Old | Yamazaki Limited Edition 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 43% | 43% |
| Age Statement | 18 years | NAS |
| Price Tier | $500+ | $500+ |
| Distillery | Hakushu Distillery | Yamazaki Distillery |
| JSLMA Compliant | Yes | Yes |
Category
Hakushu Single Malt
Yamazaki Single Malt
ABV
Hakushu 43%
Yamazaki 43%
Age Statement
Hakushu 18 years
Yamazaki NAS
Price Tier
Hakushu $500+
Yamazaki $500+
Distillery
Hakushu Hakushu Distillery
Yamazaki Yamazaki Distillery
JSLMA Compliant
Hakushu Yes
Yamazaki Yes
Tasting Notes
| Hakushu 18 Year Old | Yamazaki Limited Edition 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| Nose | Fresh green apple, pear, light peat smoke, forest herbs, and a hint of eucalyptus | Ripe strawberry, rose petals, sweet vanilla, cinnamon |
| Palate | Crisp citrus, green fruit, subtle smoke, white pepper, honeyed malt with a pleasantly herbal quality | Rich dried fruits, dark chocolate, wine tannins, honey, Japanese oak spice |
| Finish | Long, clean, and gently smoky with lingering green fruit and fresh oak notes | Very long with elegant wine cask influence and lingering mizunara sandalwood |
Nose
Hakushu 18 Year Old
Fresh green apple, pear, light peat smoke, forest herbs, and a hint of eucalyptus
Yamazaki Limited Edition 2023
Ripe strawberry, rose petals, sweet vanilla, cinnamon
Palate
Hakushu 18 Year Old
Crisp citrus, green fruit, subtle smoke, white pepper, honeyed malt with a pleasantly herbal quality
Yamazaki Limited Edition 2023
Rich dried fruits, dark chocolate, wine tannins, honey, Japanese oak spice
Finish
Hakushu 18 Year Old
Long, clean, and gently smoky with lingering green fruit and fresh oak notes
Yamazaki Limited Edition 2023
Very long with elegant wine cask influence and lingering mizunara sandalwood
Key Differences
- • Hakushu 18 Year Old has a 18 year age statement, while Yamazaki Limited Edition 2023 is a no-age-statement (NAS) release.
- • They come from different distilleries: Hakushu Distillery and Yamazaki Distillery.