Yamazaki Mizunara 2011

Suntory began to use homegrown Mizunara, a type of Japanese oak, after the Second World War when supplies of foreign oak were difficult to source. Mizunara was a far from ideal material. Its loose grain and tendency for casks to leak created many problems with timber selection and cooperage. Blenders had few kind words to say about Mizunara at the time. Now, decades later, the hints of sandalwood and aloes wood imparted by the casks are winning the acclaim of overseas blenders and whisky aficionados