Yamazaki Single Malt Whisky Mizunara Cask Bottled in 2014

(from 3/13/2014): The Yamazaki Mizunara 2014, according to Nonjatta, is limited to just 1,600 bottles domestically, pricing for around 25,000 yen, or 245 dollars. It is a non-age statement release set for a late April push that’s been aged for an unknown amount of time in Mizunara oak, which is a type of wood grown in Japan’s Hokkaido region. The distillery uses this type of wood, it said, because over long periods of time it “imparts a distinctively mellow bouquet that evokes aromatic trees found in Japan. This unique flavour has been gaining the special attentions from around the world.” This particular single malt release in part is helping celebrate Yamazaki’s long history of producing quality single malts. Tasting notes are a little scarce on this release from the distillery, but from what I can gather from Google Translate this non-chill filtered whiskey has some hints of “oriental flavors” and sandalwood.