Suntory Yamazaki Mizunara 18 Years Single Malt Japanese Whisky

Japanese Mizunara wood is a highly sought after type of oak used for aging mainly Japanese whisky. It is also an extremely difficult wood to master, as its permeable character is less than ideal for cask-making, since liquid can easily seep through the wood. One of those who seems to get it, however, is Yamazaki, which is now unveiling another Mizunara-aged whisky.

The new Yamazaki Mizunara Cask 2017 was aged for 18 years exclusively in Mizunara wood. For this whisky, Suntory’s fourth Chief Blender, Shinji Fukuyo, tasted a few hundred Mizunara whiskies and made selections of varying ages, starting from 18 years old. A very small portion exceed even 50 years of maturation.

This latest Mizunara aged whisky is bottled at 96 proof. The bottle label on it is 100% handcrafted mulberry Echizen paper produced via a slow process of drying on wood boards (a traditional Japanese method). The wooden box that encloses the bottle is made of cask material used in the aging of Suntory whisky.

It is also said that age is the key to unlocking good flavors from this oak. With many other cask types, whisky usually reaches a maturation peak at some point. But even at 50 years and beyond, Mizunara is believed by those who use it to generally still be improving in flavor.

Color:  Amber
Nose:   Rich and elegant fragrance, aloe wood, cinnamon
Palate:  Condensed sweetness, silky texture, dry fruits, coconut, orange marmalade
Finish:  Distinctive spiciness lingers with Japanese incense, aloe wood, cinnamon, and tartness