"6 Million Won a Bottle?!" What is the 'Hakushu 25 Year' Jensen Huang Gifted, Exactly? ๐ฅ (ft. Kkanbu Chicken Meeting Whisky TMI)
Folks! Folks! ๐ฒ Yesterday and today, the entire nation is buzzing with news of the **'Kkanbu Chicken Meeting'** where three giants – 'Jensen Huang', 'Lee Jae-yong', and 'Chung Eui-sun' – gathered! The news that Jensen Huang, CEO of NVIDIA, Chairman Lee Jae-yong of Samsung Electronics, and Chairman Chung Eui-sun of Hyundai Motor Company even shared a 'somaek love shot' (a mix of soju and beer) to form an 'AI Kkanbu' (ally/partner) alliance was truly beyond astonishing.
Furthermore, it became a hot topic that Jensen Huang CEO **personally signed and gifted a bottle of liquor** to the two chairmen at this gathering! You must have been curious, "What kind of liquor could it be that the AI emperor himself brought?"
Its identity is... **'Hakushu 25 Year' (Hakushu 25 Year)!** ๐ฅ And the price is... **a staggering 6 million won per bottle**! ๐คฏ
"6 million for one bottle?!" ๐ฑ What kind of liquor could it be to command such an astronomical price? I'll meticulously compile everything about the 'Hakushu 25 Year' gifted by Jensen Huang – its history, taste, and incredible value! Everything you need to know, perfectly summarized!
"6 Million Won a Bottle?!" What is the 'Hakushu 25 Year' Jensen Huang Gifted, Exactly? ๐ฅ
The 'Hakushu 25 Year' that Jensen Huang CEO gifted to Chairman Lee Jae-yong and Chairman Chung Eui-sun is the top-tier lineup of **'Hakushu'**, a single malt whisky brand launched in 1994 by the renowned Japanese liquor giant **Suntory**.
It's not just an expensive liquor; it contains an incredible story within its special taste, history, and philosophy, already highly acclaimed among whisky connoisseurs!
1. Where is it Made? 'The Forest Distillery' ๐ฒ
'Hakushu (็ฝๅท)' is both the name of the whisky and the distillery that produces it. The location of this distillery is truly special, giving rise to its nickname: **'The Forest Distillery (ๆฃฎใฎ่ธๆบๆ)'**.
- Establishment: It was established in 1973 as Suntory's second malt whisky distillery. Interestingly, it was built in the year when Yamazaki Distillery, Japan's first malt distillery, celebrated its 50th anniversary.
- Location: The distillery's location is one of the core secrets to Hakushu whisky's taste. It is nestled at the foot of the Minami Alps (Southern Alps) in Japan, at a high altitude of **708 meters above sea level**. This boasts the largest scale within Japan and is considered one of the largest in the world.
- Key (Water): There's a saying, 'water is the lifeblood of whisky'! Hakushu Distillery uses **'soft water (่ปๆฐด)'** that has been naturally purified by passing through the granite layers of Japan's Minami Alps. This water has a lower hardness than the water used by Yamazaki Distillery, contributing to a smoother whisky. This cool and serene climate, along with the pristine soft water, creates the unique delicate and refreshing taste characteristic of Hakushu whisky.
2. What Kind of Taste? "The Feeling of Walking in a Forest on a Rainy Day" ๐ง️
Hakushu whisky commands a loyal following among connoisseurs with a charm distinct from Suntory's other masterpiece, 'Yamazaki'. There is a signature phrase that best describes its taste and aroma.
**"The feeling of walking in a forest on a rainy day"**
Doesn't that sound fresh and mysterious just imagining it? It's said that the natural environment of the forest-enveloped distillery is directly captured in the whisky's taste. The characteristics of Hakushu's taste and aroma can be summarized as follows:
- Fruity Aroma: You can detect fresh fruit notes like crisp apple, pear, and kiwi.
- Slight Smokiness (Peat): The '25 Year' version, which Jensen Huang gifted, tends to have a significantly stronger peat character. It can evoke aromas reminiscent of charcoal-grilled fruits or fresh herbs.
- Dalcoomham (Sweetness): Subtle sweetness, like vanilla, honey, and nuts, harmonizes with the peat.
- Oak Notes: Deep and elegant woody notes from long-term aging in oak barrels add complexity.
All these elements combine to create the **'delicate and balanced harmony'** characteristic of Japanese whisky. However, some reviews indicate that due to its more distinctive and smoky profile compared to Yamazaki whisky, some might experience a sensation of "burning throat."
3. 'Hakushu 25 Year' (The Gift ๐): The Value of 6 Million Won
The whisky that Jensen Huang CEO gifted to Chairman Lee Jae-yong and Chairman Chung Eui-sun is considered the finest masterpiece and pinnacle of the Hakushu lineup, known as **'Hakushu 25 Year'**.
- Launch: It was first released in 2008.
- Aging: Naturally, it uses only carefully selected **malt spirits aged for 25 years or more**. This 25-year period itself is a decisive factor adding depth and complexity to the whisky.
- Special Blending: Merely being aged for a long time doesn't fully account for its 6 million won value. Hakushu 25 Year is truly an **'art piece of blending'**, where Suntory's blenders meticulously select from countless original spirits:
- Spirits with a particularly strong woody aroma
- Highly smoky (peated) spirits
- And spirits aged in Sherry oak casks
"So, Where and How Do I Buy This Liquor?" (Purchase Methods & Pro Tips)
Now, to the most curious and practical part! "I want to taste it myself... or at least own one, where can I buy it?"
1. Price & Where to Buy: The 6 Million Won Barrier... and Rarity ๐ธ
- Price: As reported by the media, the official price of 'Hakushu 25 Year' **exceeds 6 million won per bottle**, and its actual market price can be significantly higher due to its rarity. With Jensen Huang CEO's personal autograph, its value would far surpass the whisky price itself.
- Where to Buy: ...Frankly, as the '6 million won' price suggests, this liquor is **not something you can easily find** at a local liquor store or general supermarket. ๐ฅ Only a very rare and limited quantity is distributed. High-end aged whiskies like the 25 Year are in high demand globally, with very low production, so they are typically distributed in very small quantities through specialized liquor stores, high-end department store liquor sections, or international auction markets. Stock often sells out quickly even when available.
2. "Tips for Buying Cheaply?" (Realistic Hakushu Experience Pro Tips!)
Tips for "buying a 6 million won liquor cheaply"... practically don't exist, do they? ๐ However, if you want to experience the taste of Hakushu, there are more realistic approaches!
- Tip 1: Aim for other lineups! ๐ฅ
The 'Hakushu' brand isn't just about the 25 Year! There are other more accessible lineups.- Hakushu 12 Year: This is a signature product where you can best experience Hakushu whisky's characteristic herbal notes and refreshing smoothness, particularly popular among highball enthusiasts.
- Hakushu 18 Year: While not as old as the 25 Year, it boasts a deeper and more complex flavor than the 12 Year.
- Hakushu DR (Distiller's Reserve, NAS - No Age Statement): This is the most popular and basic product, characterized by its smooth and refreshing taste. It's excellent both neat and in highballs.
- Tip 2: Look for Duty-Free Stores! (Special Editions) ✈️
Suntory Hakushu also releases duty-free exclusive editions beyond its regular lineup!- Hakushu Japanese Forest Sweet & Bitter Edition: This edition boasts a more unique and profound flavor, blended with spirits aged in Spanish oak casks.
- Hakushu The Kogei Collection Japanese Kimono Edition: A special edition with added rich aroma and taste through a Sherry finish.
- Tip 3: Utilize Whiskey Bars! ๐ธ
Some high-end whiskey bars offer rare Hakushu lineups by the glass. While buying a 6 million won bottle might be out of reach, it's a realistic way to experience the unique taste of 'Hakushu 25 Year' for just a few tens of thousands of won.
'Kkanbu Chicken' Meeting's unconventional choice of location, and the gift of a '6 million won per bottle' 'Hakushu 25 Year' with an autograph! Every move by NVIDIA's Jensen Huang CEO seems to underscore the dignity and intimacy of the 'AI Kkanbu alliance', far beyond mere business. ๐ฒ
Although tasting the 6 million won 'Hakushu 25 Year' might not be immediately possible, it certainly makes me want to try other lineups of Hakushu, known for its "feeling of walking in a forest on a rainy day"! Perhaps this one bottle of whisky gifted by Jensen Huang CEO might even become a symbolic record of a historical moment in the future AI industry.
Folks, have you ever tasted 'Hakushu' whisky? ๐ค What are your thoughts on Jensen Huang's '6 million won' gift? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments! ๐
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