M – for Mizunara Oak

What exactly is Mizunara oak?

Mizunara is a variety of the species Quercus Mongolica and literally translates to "water oak", derived from the Japanese words mizu for water and nara for oak. The wood owes this name to its high moisture content.

https://youtu.be/WhmdQmwZ2cM

Why is oak preferred for aging whisky in casks?

Oak wood (belonging to the plant genus Quercus) proves to be the preferred material for cask production for many reasons. It is hard and very stable. It can be easily bent into shape with heat without breaking. Furthermore, oak wood is characterized by remarkable longevity, allowing it to be used for many decades. Oak is also extremely resistant to various pests that can affect other types of wood. Compared to softwoods, oak wood has no resin canals, which prevents the release of undesirable aromas into the liquid content. The natural porosity of oak allows for effective gas exchange with the environment, so that the whisky in the cask can breathe and interact with the atmosphere. The dense grain of oak reliably ensures that no unwanted leakage of the cask contents occurs. In addition, oak wood has a balanced ratio of volatile and non-volatile chemical components that impart aroma, taste, and texture to the whisky during its maturation over the years. However, only about a dozen of the approximately 600 oak species worldwide are actually suitable for making casks.

Where is Mizunara oak native to?

This oak species is widespread in East Asia, particularly in Japan, on the Korean Peninsula, and in northeastern China. This rare and therefore precious wood is also used for making exclusive and luxurious furniture.

What are the special properties of Mizunara oak wood?

Mizunara wood is significantly more challenging for coopers to work with than European or American oak woods. This is because the wood is more porous, and casks made from it are more prone to leaking. For this reason, the tree trunks are typically split with an axe rather than a saw, and the staves obtained are slightly thicker than usual at 38 mm. Japanese oak is also softer and therefore more difficult to shape. It has more branching than European or American oaks and does not grow as straight, but rather crooked, which further complicates the cooper's work. Furthermore, a Mizunara tree must be at least 150 to 200 years old to reach a suitable size required for the production of appropriate cask staves.

Is Mizunara oak expensive?

Yes. Due to the rarity and exclusivity of this noble wood, Mizunara oak is very expensive. The cost of a so-called puncheon (500-liter cask), which is popular in Japan, can easily exceed $5,000. Even if money is no object, Mizunara casks are extremely difficult to obtain due to the rarity of the wood and the aforementioned manufacturing difficulties.

What Mizunara casks does St. Kilian have?

A few years ago, we at St. Kilian were very fortunate to receive four fresh Mizunara barrique casks directly from Japan. These casks have a capacity of 225 liters and are mildly toasted. The wood came from approximately 250-year-old trees from the forests of the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido and was carefully processed by experienced coopers. We filled these casks with both mild and our peated New Make. One cask was emptied after a full maturation of three years and released as the first example of our "Exceptional Range."

What aromas does Mizunara oak impart to the maturing whisky?

Mizunara imparts unique aromas to whisky, often described as heavy oriental scents or reminiscent of Japanese shrines and temples. The wood produces an intensely fragrant Kara aroma, a kind of oriental incense previously unknown in whiskies. In addition, Mizunara gives the whisky aromas of sandalwood and ripe pineapple. It also has a high content of vanillin and contains larger quantities of so-called whisky lactones, which give the maturing whisky coconut notes. Due to these very special aromas, whisky matured in Mizunara oak is highly prized all over the world.