Yamazaki unveils mizunara oak edition

Beam Suntory has released an 18-year-old version of its YamazakiJapanese whisky brand that has been aged exclusively in mizunara oak barrels.The limited edition whisky, priced at US$1,000, is described as a “momentous step forward in whisky-making” with its use of rare mizunara oak

In order to create the expression, Suntory’s chief blender Shinji Fukuyo tasted hundreds of mizunara-matured whiskies and selected casks with varying ages.

Yamazaki Mizunara Cask 2017 Edition has been bottled at 48% ABV and is said to have a “silky texture” and “condensed sweetness” with additional flavours of dry fruits, coconut and orange marmalade.

Towards the end of last year, a first edition Yamazaki 50-year-old single malt smashed the world record price for a standard-sized bottle of whisky sold at auction.