Yamazaki Unveils 25-Year Whisky Aged in Rare Mizunara Oak

(Photo: House of Suntory)

On Thursday, the House of Suntory announced the release of Yamazaki 25 Years Old Mizunara, the oldest entirely mizunara-aged whisky in the brand’s repertoire.

Prior releases, such as Yamazaki 55 Years Old, were partially mizunara-aged but not aged exclusively in the rare Japanese oak.

Bottled at 48% ABV, the whisky will be available in limited quantities worldwide at a suggested retail price of $7,500.

Mizunara oak, first used by Suntory in the 1940s, is prized for its complexity and distinctive flavor but is known to be difficult to work with. According to Yamazaki, a whisky must be aged for at least a decade in mizunara for the wood’s flavor to come through. Suntory describes mizunara’s influence as “an intricate aroma woven with hints of sandalwood, coconut, and smoldering incense, resulting in whisky that is subtle, refined, yet complex.”

According to Suntory, Yamazaki 25 Years Old Mizunara presents “a sweetness like apricot compote, cacao latte-like smoothness, and spiciness evoking nutmeg and cardamom on the nose,” followed by “a bittersweet, spicy flavor with orange notes and nuances of cream” on the palate. The finish is described as showcasing the “complex woodiness of Mizunara oak with bittersweet hints of oriental herbal medicine.”

The whisky meets the Japan Spirits & Liqueurs Makers Association’s definition of Japanese whisky, meaning it was distilled, matured and bottled entirely in Japan.

The whisky comes packaged in a handcrafted display box made using a traditional Japanese “locking” technique that avoids the use of nails.

This release continues a year of high activity for The House of Suntory, which celebrated its centennial in 2023 and was recently recognized with multiple international awards. The Yamazaki 12 Year Old was named Supreme Champion Spirit at the 2024 International Spirits Challenge, and Chief Blender Shinji Fukuyo was awarded Master Blender of the Year.