4.8/5 with 11,500+ reviews
Launching: The Yamazaki 25 Year Old and 18 Year Old Mizunara Japanese Oak 2025 Release
This whisky is not just mature, it’s meticulously crafted. Every drop has spent over 25 years in rare Mizunara oak casks, Japan’s indigenous oak known for its intense aromatic profile, yet notorious for its unpredictability. The launch packaging is itself made from Mizunara wood, releasing its own fragrant notes before even opening the bottle.
These releases are the cornerstone of Suntory's newly established core Mizunara Series, placing Mizunara Oak at the center of Yamazaki’s identity. As the master blender puts it, “Mizunara cask whisky serves as the core that unifies the multi‑layered taste of Yamazaki”.
Yamazaki 25 Year Old Mizunara is a rare and exquisite single malt from Japan’s oldest malt distillery, showcasing the profound influence of Mizunara oak. Aged for over two decades in this uniquely challenging Japanese wood, the whisky reveals extraordinary complexity and depth.
On the nose, rich aromas of dark cherry, ripe peach, cinnamon and nutmeg lead into a layered palate of spiced orange, apricot and delicate Japanese incense. The finish is long and elegant, with lingering notes of clove, sandalwood and dried coconut, a hallmark of fine Mizunara maturation. Meticulously crafted by the House of Suntory, this limited expression is a celebration of tradition, patience and refined artistry.
Yamazaki 18 Year Old Mizunara is a refined Japanese single malt whisky, matured exclusively in rare Mizunara oak casks. Mizunara, a distinctive Japanese oak, imparts elegant layers of sandalwood and agarwood to this exceptional spirit. Crafted by Suntory at Japan’s oldest malt distillery, this release exemplifies the mastery and depth that defines the Yamazaki name.
Sitting at 48% abv this expression showcases a deep red amber hue and a complex nose of raisin, apricot, and chocolate, evolving on the palate with notes of strawberry jam, baked custard, and subtle spice. Its long, lingering finish reveals ripened fruit and a rich, profound aftertaste.
