Kaiyō Japanese Mizunara Oak Cask Strength

The Kaiyo Japanese Mizunara Oak, reviewed some months ago, was thoroughly enjoyed. It offered abundant tropical fruits and cinnamon sweetness, presented at 46% ABV. Purchased for just under $55, it was exceptionally good despite being NAS. This iteration is its more intense sibling, the same spirit bottled at a near cask strength of 53% ABV. It's only slightly hotter but increased the price by $30. This whisky is non-chill filtered but contains added coloring, giving it a new gold appearance with copper highlights. It's quite oily, showing large droplets and fast-forming legs in the tasting glass. The aroma starts with freshly crushed cinnamon sticks and less citrusy tropical fruits, leaning towards papaya and mango rather than oranges and lemon. Faint pineapple is also present, along with a nutty quality and a strong sense of the ABV's heat. The palate delivers on the tropical notes before harsher, youthful spirit characteristics take over. Red Hots candies provide the cinnamon and a remarkably good, sugary sweetness at the midpoint. The significant lingering heat comes from the elevated ABV, ultimately resulting in a drier than expected mouthfeel. The finish features lingering heat and cinnamon candy with oak barrel astringency, concluding very dryly. Overall, the balance of tropical and cinnamon notes is loved, but the standard version presents this better. The Mizunara casks add flavor depth, but either the spirit is too young to showcase these flavors or it's simply too potent. This was still a highly enjoyable bottle, deserving of 3.5+ stars, but the 46% dilution makes for a more beautiful NAS offering. Furthermore, one could save $25-30. As presented, it earns 3.75 stars. Cheers.

Rating: 12/23 Nose: A strong alcohol burn is noticeable here. Unfortunately, the aroma lacks complexity. I detect some wort-like grain and malty sour cherry. Actually, these notes are more pronounced than anticipated and seem to intensify over time. Palate: Less alcoholic intensity than I feared! It's sweet, with the same grain and cherry-malt notes from the nose. The body isn't very full. The alcohol is clean and smooth, almost as if much of the flavor and complexity were removed to achieve this smoothness. It has a bitter quality from the alcohol but doesn't burn. There's a distinct vodka-like flavor, which is an unusual observation for this spirit. Hints of lemon peel and pepper are present. It has a pleasant grain vodka taste. Regrettably, the more I taste it, the more it resembles vodka rather than whisky. Finish: The malty grain and cherry notes persist, though they are not strong. They gradually dissipate. The finish is long, with the alcohol burn returning and remaining constant. Conclusion: This is a rather uninspired whisky. Its primary focus seems to be on smoothness, sacrificing other qualities. It doesn't offer much of substance. It reminds me somewhat of a particular brand, evoking the impression of a spirit pretending to be whisky. For a score, I can't rate it too low. It's not bad, but it's certainly not good. I believe the slight syrupy sweetness is just enough to prevent it from falling into the 20s. I'd place it between 11 and 14; a 12 seems fitting.

This spirit reminds me of Arya Stark; you underestimate it, yet it delivers exceptionally well. In contrast, Macallan seems like the Night King, full of himself and believing he's superior. Glenfiddich is like Sansa, widely recognized and visually appealing in advertisements, but perhaps less capable when truly tested. Highland Park evokes Euron Greyjoy, ostentatious and posturing like a Norse god, but ultimately fixated on a darker, more sinister influence. So, returning to this Japanese malt, it's an underrated gem, overshadowed by the fame of Yamazaki and Hibiki. It possesses power yet is refined in every aspect. The nose carries floral notes, balanced by just enough oak to suggest its strength. Flavors include sandalwood, indicative of Mizunara, and dark cherries. The finish is intense and enduring, though a touch more smoothness would be welcome, perhaps with a few more years of aging. Nevertheless, it's a genuinely excellent Japanese malt, distinct from those merely aged in Japan. Many thanks to a friend for a generous sample.

After more than 300 reviews, it's rare to discover something new. While I've sampled two other Kaiyo expressions previously, this holds the distinction of being my inaugural cask strength Japanese whisky. The others were quite good. Let's explore what their undiluted spirit offers. Nose: Features notes of creamy custard and sandalwood. Vanilla and honey are present, along with nectarine. Hints of cucumber and agave, plus pumpkin spice and walnut. It also has notes of ginger snap. This is among the most impressive noses I've encountered. Palate: Shows flavors of caramel and vanilla. Gala apple, ginger snap, and agave are noticeable. Honey, sandalwood, and custard are also present. Citrus notes like orange, butterscotch, and honeydew. Spices include cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, and a hint of oak. Finish: Lingering notes of sandalwood, agave, and Gala apple. Dried apricot and brown sugar are detected. Ginger snap, orange, and orange peel are present. Spices like clove, nutmeg, black pepper, cinnamon, pumpkin spice, and oak contribute to the finish. It's a lengthy finish. I've consistently enjoyed Kaiyo; they excel at selecting their whiskies. However, this expression surpasses all their previous endeavors by a significant margin. I can confidently state this is the finest Japanese whisky I've ever tasted. At $90, this represents excellent value. Kaiyo is arguably the most accessible Japanese whisky brand, considering both availability and price. Combined with its exceptional quality and a robust 53% ABV, this is a top-tier whisky.

Explored this Oriental delight through a tasting pour to broaden my experiences. The nose presented sweet floral notes and a hint of sharp citrus, creating high expectations. On the palate, the sharp citrus mellowed into a smooth fruitiness, with the sweet corn whiskey character less pronounced, balancing out towards the end. It was remarkably smooth for a cask strength dram. I find it hard to believe this is solely pure malt; its richness and sugar balance are too significant for "just barley." If it is, then the masters from the Far East deserve more credit for their substantial and expertly executed blending. Kaiyo showcases the exceptional precision of Japanese whiskey craftsmanship with their Mizunara Oak Cask Strength, and if you appreciate that, you will not be let down. I'll be seeking out a bottle, as I've heard it's reasonably priced. My thanks, cheers!

This one has received high praise from the group. Sandalwood, cinnamon, and other flavors I concur with. However, I believe the maturity and complexity, or lack thereof, in cask strength whiskies can often be gauled by how they handle water. Personally, I found this superior at cask strength, even if it was a bit intense and slightly unbalanced at that proof. Adding a bit of water and letting it sit brought out slightly bitter characteristics, diluted the flavor, and made it more overpoweringly watery ethanol. It's interesting to experience Japanese wood's influence, though. I'd be interested to try the 46% version to see if the official dilution is more successful than my amateur approach.