The Yamazaki 18 Year Old Mizunara 100th Anniversary Edition: A True Masterpiece

As part of Suntory Whisky’s 100th anniversary celebrations in 2023, the House of Suntory unveiled the Yamazaki 18 Year Old Mizunara 100th Anniversary Limited Edition. This exceptional whisky is a testament to the House of Suntory’s commitment to excellence and its rich heritage in the world of Japanese whisky.

The Yamazaki distillery, established in 1923, is the oldest distillery in Japan.

Yamazaki is, perhaps, the most recognizable name in Japanese whisky. Established in 1923, the distillery played a pivotal role in the early Japanese whisky industry. The Yamazaki 18 Year Old Mizunara 100th Anniversary Edition is comprised of specially selected Yamazaki whiskies, all matured exclusively in Mizunara oak casks for at least 18 years.

Mizunara oak, a species of deciduous tree native to Japan, is highly sought-after for whisky maturation purposes.

Only 2,000 bottles of the Yamazaki 18 Year Old Mizunara 100th Anniversary Edition were released, an extremely limited quantity for such a sought-after whisky. Mizunara, which translates as “water oak,” is notoriously difficult to work with due to its high moisture content and high porosity, making it prone to leaking.

“Rich and elegant top notes of dark cherry and ripe peach, with hints of cinnamon and nutmeg” - Yamazaki’s website describes the aromas of the Yamazaki 18 Year Old Mizunara 100th Anniversary Edition.

The palate is defined by “subtly spiced orangette with undernotes of Japanese incense.” And the finish is “long and lingering, accentuated with clove, sandalwood, and hints of dried coconut.”

The Yamazaki 18 Year Old Mizunara 100th Anniversary Edition is a true masterpiece of Japanese whisky.

How much is the Yamazaki 18 Year Old Mizunara 100th Anniversary Limited Edition, and where can you buy it? Upon release, the Yamazaki 18 Year Old Mizunara had an RRP of $1,500. As is the nature of the whisky industry, this bottle will set you back considerably more today.