As part of Suntory Whisky’s 100th anniversary celebrations in 2023, the House of Suntory unveiled the Yamazaki 18 Year Old Mizunara 100th Anniversary Limited Edition.
Yamazaki is, perhaps, the most recognizable name in Japanese whisky. Established in 1923 – making it the oldest distillery in Japan – by Shinjiro Torii, the distillery played a pivotal role in the early Japanese whisky industry.
As such, the release of the 18 Year Old Mizunara Yamazaki, has caused a lot of excitement amongst fans of the historic brand.
So, today I thought I would give you the rundown on everything you need to know about the Yamazaki 18 Year Old Mizunara 100th Anniversary Limited Edition.
How was the Yamazaki 18 Year Old Mizunara 100th Anniversary Limited Edition made?
The Yamazaki 18 Year Old Mizunara 100th Anniversary Edition is comprised of specially selected Yamazaki whiskies, all matured exclusively in Mizunara oak casks for at least 18 years.
The exact components of the vatting are not known, but it is likely that age statement whiskies beyond 18 years were also vatted into the mix.
Following the careful selection and vatting of the very best Mizunara barrels, the whisky was bottled at 48% ABV (96 proof).
How many bottles of the limited edition whisky have been released?
Only 2,000 bottles of the Yamazaki 18 Year Old Mizunara 100th Anniversary Edition were released, an extremely limited quantity for such a sought-after whisky.
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Assuming that the barrels were 250-liter hogsheads, using a bit of math, we can assume that the House of Suntory would have used approximately 7 or 8 casks to vat this release together.
What is Mizunara oak?
Mizunara, which translates as “water oak”, is a species of deciduous tree native to Japan, and highly sought-after for whisky maturation purposes. The oak is notoriously difficult to work with: it has a high moisture content and high porosity, meaning that it is more prone to leaking.
Mizunara is also expensive, due to the relatively small area in which it grows, in comparison to species such as American oak that is used to cooper bourbon and ex-bourbon casks. In addition to this, Mizunara oak needs to be around 200 years old before it can be used in coopering. Rights to forests for Japanese distilleries can also be suspended by the government to allow the oak to regrow once trees have been felled.
Despite the various challenges presented by the “water oak”, the delicate wood imparts distinctive notes of sandalwood, coconut, and Japanese incense on whisky as it matures. Such profiles have become extremely popular amongst drinkers.
All of the above factors make Mizunara a very rare and highly valuable oak. Hence, Mizunara whisky releases, such as the new Yamazaki 18 Year Old, cause a stir across the globe when they hit the market.
What does the Yamazaki 18 Year Old Mizunara 100th Anniversary Limited Edition taste like?
According to Yamazaki’s website, the “reddish amber” whisky presents aromas of “[r]ich and elegant top notes of dark cherry and ripe peach, with hints of cinnamon and nutmeg” on the nose.
The palate is defined by “[s]ubtly spiced orangette with undernotes of Japanese incense”. And the finish is “long and lingering, accentuated with clove, sandalwood and hints of dried coconut”.
How much is the Yamazaki 18 Year Old Mizunara 100th Anniversary Limited Edition, and where can you buy it?
Upon release, the Yamazaki 18 Year Old Mizunara had an RRP of $1,500. As is the nature of the whisky industry, this bottle will set you back considerably more today.
At retail, the cheapest bottle in the USA (according to Wine-Searcher) is $2,499.94.
In the UK, you can grab a bottle from House of Malt for £1,675.
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