Single Malt The Owners Cask Mizunara Butt 23YO
⏳ Drinking Window
As a highly matured 23-year-old single malt whisky, this spirit is bottled at its absolute peak of complexity and does not undergo further maturation in the bottle. It is ready to be savored immediately upon release and will remain in pristine condition indefinitely when stored upright, sealed, and away from direct sunlight.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Seared Wagyu beef, rich glazed unagi (grilled eel), or premium dark chocolate with a high cacao percentage.
✨ Technical Specifications
Nestled in the misty vale where the Katsura, Uji, and Kizu rivers converge near Kyoto, the Yamazaki Distillery was established in 1923 by Shinjiro Torii as Japan's first commercial whisky distillery. This legendary single malt represents a pinnacle of Japanese distilling heritage, selected under Suntory's highly exclusive 'The Owner's Cask' program. Aged for 23 years in a single Mizunara oak butt, this expression showcases the profound influence of Japan's native oak (Quercus crispula). Mizunara is notoriously difficult to cooper due to its porous, twisted grain, yet it rewards decades of patient maturation with an ethereal, highly prized aromatic profile reminiscent of Japanese temple incense (kara), sandalwood, coconut, and delicate oriental spices. This rare bottling captures a singular moment in Yamazaki's history, reflecting the harmonious relationship between Japanese nature, craftsmanship, and the passage of time.
🍾 About the Producer
Established in 1923 by Suntory founder Shinjiro Torii with technical assistance from Masataka Taketsuru, Yamazaki is the pioneer and foundational benchmark of Japanese whisky. Situated southwest of Kyoto at the foot of Mount Tennozan, the distillery occupies a tranquil river valley where the Katsura, Uji, and Kizu rivers converge. This geographic setting engenders an enduring misty microclimate, significant seasonal temperature variations, and access to exceptionally pure, soft subterranean spring water historically lauded by tea master Sen no Rikyu. Uniquely engineered to function as a self-contained ecosystem of distinct styles, Yamazaki employs diverse fermenters alongside pot stills of varied shapes, sizes, and condensation configurations. Its maturation program is celebrated for its virtuosic wood management under Chief Blender Shinji Fukuyo, incorporating American oak ex-bourbon barrels, Spanish oak sherry butts, and rare indigenous Mizunara Japanese oak. The resulting single malts, led by the flagship 12, 18, and 25 Year Old expressions, are distinguished by sandalwood spice, dried fruit complexity, and aristocratic balance.