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The highly esteemed House of Suntory is expanding its iconic whisky offering with an exciting new expression: the Yamazaki 25 Years Old Mizunara. The oldest fully Mizunara-aged expression in Yamazaki’s history, this release is a celebration of two of the House’s core pillars: the revered Mizunara Japanese Oak and the pioneering spirit of Yamazaki.
A key part of The House of Suntory’s story since the 1940s, Mizunara oak is notoriously delicate in grain and demanding in nature, meaning that extraordinary skill and craftsmanship are required to harness its charms. At least a decade of aging is required for whiskies to become properly imbued with the wood’s signature character — a mix of subtlety, refinement, and complexity.
While previous expressions like Yamazaki 55 Years Old featured partial Mizunara maturation, this rare and refined single malt release has been aged exclusively in Mizunara oak casks, making it the oldest expression to have done so. As a tribute to the rarity of this prized wood, each bottle is encased in a handcrafted box made using a traditional Japanese design with a nail-free “locking” construction method.
So, what is it like to experience the remarkable Yamazaki 25 Years Old Mizunara for yourself?
On the nose, you’ll encounter a note of sweetness reminiscent of apricot compote, followed by a cacao latte-like smoothness paired with hints of nutmeg and cardamom. Taking a sip, you can expect a bittersweet, spicy flavour with notes of orange and cream, followed by the complex woodiness of the Mizunara oak and bittersweet touches of oriental herbal medicine.
Whether you take your whisky neat or on the rocks, the Yamazaki 25 Years Old Mizunara sets a new standard for Japanese whisky. Completely distilled, matured, and bottled at 48% ABV in Japan, it is now available in stores and online in select markets for AUD$20,000. Few will get to try this incredible release, but those who do will surely be left spellbound by that deep, rich Mizunara flavour conjured by the master distillers at The House of Suntory.
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