Matsui Mizunara Cask Whiskey (700ml)

Matsui Shuzo has been producing Japanese spirits since 1910 from the town of Kurayoshi in Tottori Prefecture, drawing water from the springs of nearby Mount Daisen. The distillery built its reputation on sake, shochu, and brandy before turning its attention to whisky, and this expression represents its exploration of Mizunara, a rare Japanese oak that today accounts for only a small fraction of aging stock across the entire country.

Mizunara Cask begins maturation in standard ex-bourbon barrels before transferring to casks fitted with heads crafted from Mizunara oak, a wood prized for its scarcity and for the difficulty of working it into barrel form. This rare oak lends a honeyed, woody character that coats the whisky as it ages in Tottori's dramatic seasonal climate, where temperatures swing widely and encourage a distinctive interaction between spirit and cask. The whisky is brought to proof with fresh spring water from Mount Daisen and bottled at 48% ABV without an age statement.

A fresh, floral aroma opens the nose, followed by sweet vanilla, baking spice, and a touch of creamy coconut. The palate turns velvety, layering rich oak, cinnamon, and ginger against a backdrop of toffee sweetness. The finish lingers with silky caramel, floral oak, and tobacco. Try it alongside roasted poultry or a nutty biscotti.