The 2012 edition of Yamazaki's Mizunara, a single malt aged in casks made from Japanese oak and bottled at 48%. It was bottled in 2012 and released that October.
About This Whisky
Mizunara is hard to shape into casks and prone to leaking, and it takes many years before it gives its best. This edition was matured in those mizunara casks and carries no age statement. The wood shows as potpourri, sandalwood and clove on the nose, with green apple and pineapple fruit underneath. The palate is smooth but firm, with Indian spice and a dry, leathery wood finish.
Tasting Profile
- Nose: Potpourri florals, vanilla, green apple skin, fresh pineapple, sandalwood, nutmeg and clove.
- Palate: Integrated and muscular, with apple and pineapple, warm spice, sandalwood and a faint celery note.
- Finish: Long, with vanilla, leather and spiced, slightly vegetal wood.
Serving & Food
Use a thin-rimmed glass and pour it neat, just below room temperature. A teaspoon of water draws out the sandalwood. Pair with matcha sweets, duck with star anise or a cedar-plank salmon.
How to Enjoy
Tasters who want to understand mizunara oak on its own before moving to the 18 and 25 Year Old Mizunara bottlings.
Product Details
Producer: Suntory
Distillery: Yamazaki
Expression: Mizunara 2012 Edition
Country: Japan
Style: Japanese single malt whisky
Age: No age statement
Cask: Japanese mizunara oak
Bottled: 2012
ABV: 48%
Proof: 96
Volume: 700mL
About the Distillery
Suntory turned to mizunara during and after the Second World War, when imported casks were hard to get. The oak was difficult to work with, and for years it was used out of necessity rather than choice.
Patience changed that. Suntory found that mizunara needs long maturation, more than 15 years, before its sandalwood and incense tones fully emerge. Even now, mizunara casks make up less than 1% of Suntory's total stock.