The House of Suntory has introduced one of its most significant whisky releases to date: the Yamazaki 25 Years Old Mizunara, its oldest single malt in the distillery’s history to be aged entirely in mizunara oak casks.
With this new expression, Suntory seeks to fully showcase the unique character of Japanese oak that has shaped some of the world’s most sought-after whiskies.
Suntory first adopted the use of mizunara in the 1940s, with the rare and notoriously difficult wood requiring decades of patience and expertise to master. Its delicate grain makes it prone to leaking, while its dense composition demands lengthy ageing before its signature notes of sandalwood, coconut, and temple incense becomes apparent.
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When nurtured properly, mizunara imparts a refined complexity that has become the hallmark of many of Yamazaki’s most iconic expressions.
The Yamazaki 25 Years Old Mizunara captures these qualities in their purest form. Unlike past releases such as the partially mizunara-aged Yamazaki 55, this new bottling is the oldest to be matured only using mizunara casks.
The result is a deeply layered single malt offering aromas of apricot compote, cacao latte smoothness, and warming spice reminiscent of nutmeg and cardamom. On the palate, drinkers can expect a bittersweet and spicy profile with orange zest and cream, finishing with a lingering woodiness and subtle herbal undertones unique to mizunara oak.
In keeping with the rarity of the wood, each bottle is housed in a handcrafted box assembled using a traditional Japanese nail-free “locking” technique.
The release also meets the Japan Spirits & Liqueurs Makers Association’s standards for authentic Japanese whisky, being fully distilled, matured, and bottled in Japan.
Bottled at 48% ABV, Yamazaki 25 Years Old Mizunara is available in limited quantities across select global markets, with a suggested retail price of US$7,500.
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