“Straight from the untouched forests, mountains, and pure waters of the Southern Japanese Alps, a ‘green and fresh’ whisky, praised by the most curious whiskey connoisseurs and lovers of gastronomy”—if that doesn’t sound like fine single malt, then you are clearly unfamiliar with Suntory Hakushu Single Malt Whiskey. Suntory produces a popular, award-winning extended family of single malts that has beaten Scottish competition, but few of these whiskeys make it out of Japan—this 12-year-old, light golden, slightly smoky, 86-proof fine sipper is now one of them. The ingredient list is impeccable: crystalline spring waters from Mount Kaikomagatake in the Minami Alps, Scottish barley and special yeast. The method: three different shapes of copper pot still for fine-tuning, and barrels made of three different woods, including Spanish sherry and Japanese mizunara oak. Taste the difference…