PERFECT BALANCE
This whisky is matured in the finest Mizunara oak casks. Our pioneering
research into the effect of wood selection on whisky maturation has led
to the development of bespoke barrels, crafted from slow growth,
air-seasoned wood from hand-selected trees. These casks are handmade due
to Mizunara oaks delicate wood grain. This spirit is gently matured in
traditional style for many years before it embarks on its unique sea
voyage.
Mizunara oak casks are the most expensive casks in the world.
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*Mizunara Oak is 10x more expensive
than any other casks in the world*
These casks are carefully handmade by the world famous
Ariake cooperage in Kyoto Japan.
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MIZUNARA OAK
The use of mizunara oak for whisky barrels was not what one would
declare serendipitous, at least not in its early years. During World War
II, Japan, like several other countries, was unable to receive imported
goods, making the delivery of European or American oak barrels for
whisky maturation impossible. Though it was not a priority to produce
whisky, the demand for it increased greatly during this time period and
became the primary drink consumed by the Japanese army. With this,
Japanese coopers and whisky makers sought a domestic alternative to
mature whisky in and found it in Japanese oak, more popularly identified
as mizunara oak, which had been used in the craftsmanship of exclusive,
luxury furniture.
Mizunara oak for casks however, did not come without its own
difficulties and obstacles. Time and supply was a great factor as a
Japanese oak tree has to be at least 200 years old before it is a proper
size to create a cask; a tree of this size and age was indeed a rare
commodity. The shape of the tree also proved a hindrance as the oak
trees do not grow straight but rather with a fluid curvature. Japanese
oaks also possess less tyloses and more knots than European or American
oaks increasing the difficulty to cooper watertight. As the oak is soft
and thereby more difficult to shape, it is obviously more susceptible to
leakage and prone to damage. The vulnerability to leaking is further
aggravated by the naturally high moisture content Japanese oak has in
comparison to its other oak cousins. Its name speaks for its incredible
permeability: mizu, meaning water and nara, meaning oak, and hence added
to the Japanese coopers and whisky creators’ lack of enthusiasm in the
Japanese oak.
Manufacturing the mizunara oak casks were not the only dilemma whisky
makers faced; with whiskies being aged only a few years during the war
time period, the flavor mizunara oak casks infused into the whisky
provided a rather unwelcome surprise to whisky drinkers – an explosion
of an intense, overbearing woodiness onto the palate. As a result,
Japanese oak was snubbed and deemed substandard to American and European
white oaks until further studies were done of longer maturation and
finishing. Mizunara Oak is now regarded as the finest vessel to mature
whisky.
WHY IS MIZUNARA OAK
DIFFERENT
What makes mizunara oak distinct from European oak and White oak? For
one, it enjoys a unique sweet and spicy flavor profile which can be
attributed to the oak lactones ratio and high level of vanilla. Aromas
evoked from the mizunara oak are kara, a type of oriental incense,
sandalwood, and coconut.
Research studies have shown that mizunara matured whisky contain more
lactones (parts per million) than whiskies matured in either European
oak or White oak. An even more riveting discovery was the prevalence of
“trans-oak” lactones in Mizunara whisky. This was a remarkable find as
it was thought that “cis-oak” lactones can possess a smell up to ten
times stronger than “trans-oak” lactones.
Time was a crucial ingredient previously omitted in mizunara oak matured
whiskies making another distinction from European and White oak. Many
suggest that a whisky needs to mature in order to truly experience the
infusion of mizunara oak’s distinct flavors and aromas.
It is perhaps a bit of Mother Nature’s work and serendipity that the
mysterious spirit and character of mizunara oak was exposed. Today it is
not only appreciated but revered and valued for its rarity and
luxuriousness.
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