The illustrious House of Suntory has officially announced the release of the Yamazaki 25 Year Old Mizunara - the oldest fully Mizunara cask aged Yamazaki, nay, whisky in history yet!

The House of Suntory has long treasured Mizunara oak for its signature character of sandalwood, coconut and incense, which brings to whisky a subtle yet unique complexity. Since the 1940's, the House of Suntory was the first to embrace Mizunara's delicate grain and demanding nature which requires whiskies be aged for at least a decade in the nicknamed Water Oak in order for these flavours to emerge.

The new Yamazaki 25 Year Old Mizunara stands out for being 100% aged in Mizunara casks, whereas more aged Yamazaki expressions such as the Yamazaki 55 Year Old only contain components of partial Mizunara ageing. As such, the Yamazaki 25 Year Old Mizunara is housed in a handcrafted box assembled using the traditional Japanese nail-free locking method.

It is said to offer a sweetness of apricot compote, cacao latte-like smoothness, and spiciness of nutmeg and cardamom in aromas, with a bittersweet, spicy flavour with orange notes and nuances of cream on the palate, and finally a complex woodiness of Mizunara oak with bittersweet hints of oriental herbal medicine.

It is bottled at 48% ABV and is available globally in select markets, both in stores and online, carrying a suggested retail price of US$7,500. This expression of course qualifies within the Japan Spirits & Liqueurs Makers Association's criteria for authentic Japanese whisky that is 100% distilled, matured and bottled in Japan.

Kanpai!

88 Bamboo Editorial Team