Haku Vodka

The Japanese Craft Vodka

Distilled from 100% Japanese white rice, the name Haku® translates to “brilliance” and “white”– a tribute to the dedication and ingenuity of craftsmanship that can create wonder from the simplest of ingredients. Filtered through bamboo charcoal, Haku® Vodka has an unparalleled soft, silky and smooth finish.

Taste the vodka born of the pursuit of perfection

Founded in 1899, the House of Suntory was built on Shinjiro Torii’s dream, who at the age of 20 wanted to “create original Japanese spirits blessed with the riches of Japanese nature and ‘monozukuri’ craftsmanship” – which means a relentless pursuit for perfection, meticulous attention to detail and commitment to quality. Shinjiro overcame numerous hardships to make his dream a reality, creating wine, whisky and brandy, and launching Hermes Vodka – the first Suntory Vodka – in 1956. Today, we’re proud to introduce Haku, the Japanese craft vodka. Haku Vodka is crafted with the Nature and Spirit of Japan, true to the vision of Suntory’s founder – and now ready for you to discover and share.

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Introducing Haku Vodka

The name Haku® celebrates the origin and the craft of this Premium Japanese Vodka. The kanji (Japanese character) for Haku® means “white”. But the subtlety of the Japanese language often gives kanji several readings. Read as “shiro” it would merely mean white. But read as “haku”, it is intentionally rooted and elevated. Rooted as referring to “Hakumai” (白米) – Japanese white rice- the origin of the liquid. Elevated as evoking “Junpaku” (純白) - “untainted” and brilliance – a tribute to the dedication and ingenuity of craftsmanship, carefully filtered through bamboo charcoal for an unparalleled soft, silky and smooth finish.

The Craft of Haku Vodka

A process unique to our distillery

At Suntory, we’re committed to selecting the best ingredients while using innovative making techniques to create spirits of unrivaled quality and uniquely Japanese character. It’s the signature of House of Suntory‘s “Monozukuri” craftsmanship, and Haku is the new iteration of that philosophy. It starts with pure white Japanese rice. Milled and polished to perfection, white rice is revered for its mild and subtly sweet flavor – it’s the ultimate symbol of Japan.

First, the white rice is fermented with “rice koji” to create a mash. The mash is then distilled through pot stills to create a rice spirit. This process takes place in Kagoshima, in Kyushu, a region historically famous for its rice spirit making know-how. It’s then distilled a second time through two different processes to create both flavor and volume, before being blended and filtrated in the Suntory Liqueur Atelier at Osaka Plant. A process unique to Suntory, it preserves and enhances the rice’s delicately sweet and subtle flavors.

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Bamboo Charcoal Filtration

Part of the unique creation process behind Haku Vodka, the bamboo charcoal filtration is a Suntory proprietary method. Like a sponge, the charcoal absorbs most/many impurities present in the distillate, eliminating things that might detract from the taste. This gives the vodka a clean and clear flavor. Moreover, the minerals from the bamboo charcoal add a remarkably smooth and mellow character.

The use of bamboo charcoal for water filtration is one of the fundamentals of Japanese culture and goes back to ancient Japan where charcoal was said to “sweeten” the water for tea. It is known for its incredible filtering ability, which comes from its super-porous structure. As bamboo is a fast-growing plant, supply is abundant and sustainable in Japan.

The Design

The product design harmonizes the Japanese traditional aesthetic with an evolving modernity. To convey it as a Japanese Craft Vodka, we use Japanese materials with a touch of artisanal quality – simple and pure. The bottle is embossed with a pattern inspired by organically moving rice stems. This fluid, life-like pattern expresses the value of Haku vodka, which is both smooth and complex and portrays the way rice is polished to reveal its brilliance. The label design consists of Junpaku (pure-white) washi paper – representing the beauty of Japanese white rice, which is the soul of this vodka. The pearlescent label expresses the brilliance unveiled through the process of polishing the white rice. The Kanji calligraphy “Haku” with sumi ink, as well as red and gold flourishes. The result: a minimal and modern Japanese design, free of unnecessary adornments.