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 you’re truly getting what you’re paying for. More importantly, if you don’t know what you’re supposed to be paying for, it’s even more confusing!!

Mizunara oak requires the same due diligence. Until you’ve 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 don’t really know what you’re paying for, let alone if you think it’s worth doing so!!

That’s 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 isn’t 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 they’re not cheap. But is it worth using? Only you can answer that question and you’re about to find out for yourself. I can safely say that I’ve 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. It’s 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. It’s a whiskey that’s not only delicious, it’s also a stepping stone to a greater understanding of experience. We’re $10 under most other retailers and we’ve got plenty just in time for St. Patrick’s Day. If you’ve ever wondered exactly what Mizunara oak is supposed to taste like, consider this bottle Japanese Oak 101.

-David Driscoll, Mission Sales Manager