HAKU VODKA

HAKU

THE NEW HEIGHT OF VODKA

WHEN WE THINK OF THE BRAND ‘THE HOUSE OF SUNTORY’ WE INSTANTLY THINK OF THEIR FANTASTIC RANGE IN AUTHENTIC AND TRUE JAPANESE WHISKIES. THE HOUSE'S ARTISANS HAVE RELEASED A PREMIUM CRAFT JAPANESE VODKA, AND THE RESULT IS HAKU. THE CREATION IS BASED ON MORE THAN 100 YEARS OF CRAFTSMANSHIP AND IS CURATED IN THE TRUE SPIRIT OF JAPAN.

The House of Suntory has managed to instil their amazing talent of getting the perfect balance between creating a product we’re all familiar with and yet still being able to be new, innovative and refreshing. Through precise distillation methods and unique ingredients, The House of Suntory has given this classic spirit a brand new taste and look while still keeping to the core essence of vodka.

There are two meanings of ‘Haku’ in Japanese. Each of which has an integral meaning to the liquor it represents. The first of which is easily translated to ‘white’, which refers to the Japanese white rice used to create this craft vodka. Now, contrary to what many westerners believe, rice was not always a staple to a Japanese meal. In fact, there was once a time where it was highly considered to be a luxury. Served only for worship or to wealthier noble classes and royalty.

Its second meaning translates to ‘untainted’ or ‘brilliant’, which is a tribute to their craft of mastering a clear, clean and luminous vodka. Now when we say luminous, we mean it. The House of Suntory achieves this glow by using a bamboo charcoal filtration method that dates back to ancient Japanese culture. The structure of this element is three times more porous (per gram) than any other charcoal wood acting like a sponge, absorbing any impurities that might take away from its taste and transparency. The western world of beauty has also just started seeing the benefits of using charcoal on the skin, teeth and stomach.

The kanji (Japanese character) ‘Haku’ that this vodka is named after is both poetic and incredibly factual. Made 100 percent from Japanese white rice grown and fermented in Kagoshima (a Japanese city at the bottom of Kyushu). It’s then transported to Osaka to be distilled through a pot still to

create a rice spirit. The distillate is then distilled a second time through two different processes that introduce flavour and volume to the liquor, before being blended and filtered through bamboo charcoal.

It is The House of Suntory’s ethos of craftsmanship, meticulous attention to detail and commitment to quality paired with an unconventional but highly effective method of distillation that allows for an artisanal, gluten-free, GMO-free, authentic premium vodka to be born.

Shinjiro Torii founded The House of Suntory in 1899 against the backdrop of the Japanese Meiji era. An era that represents Japan’s fast modernisation by looking to the west for inspiration. It was also the beginning of the Japanese Empire. Shinjiro not only wanted to blend imported liquors but to mainly develop quintessential Japanese spirits for his people.

Keeping Shinjiro’s ethos and passion, Suntory Whisky inevitability launched in 1937. Since then they’ve created three distinct whisky distilleries renowned for producing some the most authentic and successful Japanese whiskies in the world.

TASTING NOTES

Unparalleled soft, round, and subtly sweet taste.

NOSE A soft aroma played up by the sweet, delicate, floral aromas of rice.

PALATE A rich taste that gradually envelops the mouth with the natural sweetness and complex flavour of the rice.

FINISH A smooth finish, with a sophisticated, pleasantly lingering sweetness due to the bamboo charcoal filtration process.

HAKU SIGNATURE SERVES

DIRTY HAKUTINI

GLASSWARE: Martini

GARNISH: Edamame beans

INGREDIENTS:

60ml Haku Vodka 20ml Sake Crushed pickles

METHOD: Add all ingredients and stir

UMAMI MARY

GLASSWARE: Highball

GARNISH: Shiso leaf, black pepper and salt rim and lemon wedge

INGREDIENTS:

30ml Haku Vodka 120ml Tomato juice 5ml Fresh lemon juice

METHOD: Stir all ingredients and serve over cubed ice