Suntory Haku Japanese Vodka (750ml)

Suntory is the biggest name in Japanese whiskey, playing a pivotal, some might say definitive, role in establishing the category as a global market phenomenon. Indeed, many of the most sought-after, benchmark labels are distilled and bottled under the Suntory banner. So, it was only a matter of time before they threw their hat into the clear spirits game. Enter Haku, an ultra-premium vodka distilled from the finest white rice. From the producer: "HAKU Vodka, brought to life by the House of Suntory, is a Japanese premium craft vodka made from 100 percent Japanese white rice. Although the Japanese word "haku" literally means "white," the subtlety of the Japanese language often gives the characters several meanings. While "haku" is rooted in the word "hakumai," meaning white rice, the nuanced meaning can also be translated as "junpaku," which means an untainted brilliance and refers to HAKU's clear, clean, and luminous flavor. HAKU begins its distillation process in Kagoshima, Kyushu, a region well-known for rice spirit making. The process includes a meticulous mill and polish, where 100 percent Japanese white rice is fermented to create a mash. The mash is distilled through pot stills to create a rice spirit, and then distilled a second time through two different processes to create its uniquely flavored liquid. This liquid is then blended and filtered through bamboo charcoal in Osaka, Japan."