Yamazakura 20 Year Old Pure Malt Mizunara Cask – Asaka Distillery, 70cl
Brand: Yamazakura | Category: Japanese Pure Malt Whisky | ABV: 48% | Origin: Fukushima, Japan | Vol: 70cl
Cask Type: Japanese Mizunara Oak | Age Statement: 20 Years | Edition: Limited Edition Release

Intro/Heritage:
A pinnacle of Japanese craftsmanship, Yamazakura 20 Year Old Pure Malt is a rare fusion of age, artistry, and the legendary Mizunara oak. Matured for two full decades at the Asaka Distillery, this limited release expresses the soul of Japanese whisky through deep wood character, complex spice, and haunting elegance. Aged with reverence, finished in ancient oak, and bottled for those who understand that greatness takes time.

Tasting Profile:
Nose: Ethereal and layered. Sandalwood, incense, dried apricot, and yuzu peel open into beeswax, white pepper, and a faint floral perfume, unmistakably Mizunara.
Palate: Silken and meditative. Notes of vanilla pod, spiced pear, old leather, and cherry blossom intertwine with clove, coconut husk, and polished oak.
Finish: Long, dry, and spiritual. A lingering dance of mizunara spice, sweet earth, and faded fruit leaves a graceful final impression.

Production Details:
Crafted from a blend of carefully selected malt whiskies and aged for 20 years in rare Mizunara oak casks, prized for their unique grain, aromatic complexity, and scarcity. Bottled at 48% ABV for richness and structure, this expression is non-chill filtered and naturally colored — a tribute to Japanese purity and patience.

Perfect For:
Collectors of Japanese whisky masterpieces, seekers of Mizunara-aged expressions, and refined celebrations that demand something extraordinary.

Expert Notes:
Mizunara oak isn’t just rare, it’s unpredictable and temperamental to work with. But when tamed over 20 years, the result is transcendent: incense-like spice, textural depth, and haunting finish. This is a whisky to savor in silence.

Customer Reviews:
🗨️ “Complex and captivating — easily one of the best Mizunara cask whiskies I’ve tried.”
🗨️ “Each sip feels like a tea ceremony. So much depth, so much soul.”
🗨️ “A true collector’s bottle — rare, refined, and unforgettable.”

Interesting Fact:
Mizunara oak trees take over 200 years to mature before being coopering-ready and the wood’s porous nature makes aging a challenge, but one that yields unforgettable results in the hands of master blenders.

Serving Suggestions:
Sip neat in a tulip glass to experience its full aromatic spectrum. Let it rest, it opens slowly. A drop of water can unlock hidden florals and incense. Best enjoyed in solitude or shared with reverent company.

Distillery Background:
The Asaka Distillery, located in Fukushima and operated by Sasanokawa Shuzo, traces its roots back to 1765. Now at the forefront of Japan’s small-batch whisky renaissance, it honors tradition with every bottle and with the Yamazakura 20 Year Old Mizunara Cask, they’ve crafted a whisky worthy of legacy.