Yamazaki 18 Year Old Mizunara 2024 Japanese Single Malt Review

Japanese whisky is as complex as it is delicious. It’s a whisky steeped in history, myth, romance and folktale. Not only is it delicious, it’s also one of the most vastly misunderstood whiskies on the market today.

People assume that, because Japanese whisky has adhered to the blueprint of Scotch whisky making, it will automatically taste like Scotch, but that isn’t the case. Japanese whisky is Japanese whisky, just as Scotch is Scotch.

The Japanese whisky I’m writing about today is special for many reasons. Not only does it taste special, but it comes from the very first dedicated whisky distillery in all of Japan – Yamazaki, which was constructed back in 1923.

Here is the Great Drams review of Yamazaki 18 Year Old Mizunara 2024 whisky.

Japan’s First Dedicated Whisky Distillery

When Shinjiro Torii decided to build the Yamazaki Distillery next to a railroad linking the port of Osaka with Kyoto, he decided upon this location for a number of reasons. Not only did it have fantastic transport links, but it was also in a location where three rivers met. This meant a plentiful supply of water. Not only that, but it meant a plentiful supply of water with a diverse array of minerals and properties.

Water plays a key role in whisky production, and Torii-san knew this all too well. The location of his distillery was the location of a former tea house operated by none other than Sen Rikyu, the founder of the tea ceremony. Again, this was down to water quality.

Despite being over a century old, Yamazaki distillery is one which has undergone a great deal of change over the last century. In fact, it has been updated, modernised, and rebuilt three times thus far, with the most recent renovation happening in 2005.

Yamazaki is a distillery which makes a plethora of different types of whisky. All wash stills are direct fired, with one featuring a worm tub. Aging takes place, typically, in sherry casks, American and European oak, and Japanese Oak.

Each expression is vastly different to the last, and yet seasoned Japanese whisky drinkers find that, regardless of age or cask, there is a unifying quality to a Yamazaki whisky. There’s just something about drinking a Yamazaki whisky that you just don’t seem to get with many other whiskies.

Yamazaki 18 Year Old Mizunara 2024

Suntory are very picky when it comes to cask type, and so they should be. Cask type plays a crucial role in determining the overall character of the whisky stored within.

Now, typically, most whiskies on the market today that have been aged in oak casks come from American oak. A smaller percentage come from European oak, and then there’s this delight. This whisky, which many consider to be the jewel in the crown of the 2024 Tsukuriwake series, has been aged exclusively in Japanese Mizunara oak casks.

Mizunara is a wood that is not very forgiving. In fact, it’s the diva of the oak world and is notoriously difficult to work with. Treat it right however, and you’ll be rewarded heavily. Need proof? Just taste this amazing whisky and you’ll get all the proof you need.

This single malt comes in at 48% ABV. There’s a definite kick, though not as intense as you might expect. It’s a deep crimson-amber colour and has been aged 18 years in Mizunara oak casks.

On the nose you get autumn fruits, elegant cherry pie aromas, floral scents, sandalwood, a touch of nutmeg and cinnamon, and a murmur of distant bonfire smoke. This dram reminds me of autumn, and that’s no bad thing.

On the palate you get the unique sandalwood-like qualities of the oak, accompanied by full-bodied sherry notes, plump raisins, pears poached in madeira, orange marmalade, pickled walnuts, caramelised honey, and dark chocolate.

The finish is heavy on the oak, yet has an underlying sweetness and is packed full of character. It’s lengthy and leaves a lingering taste of stewed pears, desiccated coconut, and Japanese sandalwood.

If you’d like to learn more about your favourite whiskies, or simply treat yourself to a wee dram or two at the same time, head on over to GreatDrams.com and take a look at the impressive selection of whiskies we have available.

Tags: MizunaraYamazaki 18

Greg

My name is Greg, and I’m a brand strategy consultant, writer, speaker, host and judge specialising in premium spirits. My mission is to experience, share and inspire with everything great about whisky, whiskey, gin, beer and fine dining through my writing, my brand building and my whisky tastings.