If I had to find an analogy for Mizunara oak with whiskey, it would be truffles.
Truffles provide an exotic, aromatic, and earthy flavor that food connoisseurs are willing to spend serious money to obtain, right? The same goes for Japanese Mizunara oak as it pertains to whiskey.The problem with truffles is that you never know if youre truly getting what youre paying for. More importantly, if you dont know what youre supposed to be paying for, its even more confusing!!
Mizunara oak requires the same due diligence. Until youve had a few dozen examples of what Mizunara is supposed to taste like and how the twisted, gnarled, difficult-to-cooper, and extremely-expensive Japanese oak can influence a whiskey, you dont really know what youre paying for, let alone if you think its worth doing so!!
Thats why I loaded up on the new Glendalough 7 Year Old Mizunara Irish Single Malt Whiskey. I believe this is 100% Cooley-distilled, but in all seriousness the whiskey isnt the point here. The Irish whiskey is merely a blank canvas upon which the Mizunara oak is displayed. If you want a first-hand lesson in exactly what makes Mizunara oak so coveted and so interesting, this my friends is the whiskey for you.
The price of a new Japanese Mizunara oak barrel is more than $3300 a piece, so theyre not cheap. But is it worth using? Only you can answer that question and youre about to find out for yourself. I can safely say that Ive never tasted a whiskey this saturated with the essence of Mizunara in my career. Matured for 4 months in Mizunara (70% of the barrels brand new), this whiskey is dripping with incense. Its all sandalwood and exotic spices from front to back, with a lovely richness and fruit character from the malt across the middle.
I backed up the truck for this deal because I consider it a benchmark experience. Its a whiskey thats not only delicious, its also a stepping stone to a greater understanding of experience. Were $10 under most other retailers and weve got plenty just in time for St. Patricks Day. If youve ever wondered exactly what Mizunara oak is supposed to taste like, consider this bottle Japanese Oak 101.
-David Driscoll, Mission Sales Manager
