European novelty - full maturation in a Mizunara barrel
European novelty. Full maturation in a Mizunara cask - St. Kilian Whisky News
By Ernie Scheiner, The Gateway to Distilleries www.whisky-distilleries.net
Translated from English. To the original text
Rüdenau, June 2023
The German whisky distillery St. Kilian in Rüdenau, Lower Franconia, has launched an exclusive whisky rarity: a single malt whisky matured entirely in a single pristine Mizunara oak cask.
Common in several regions of Japan, Mizunara oak is one of the rarest and most expensive woods used for aging whiskey. The Japanese oak for this 225-liter, medium-toasted single barrel is about 250 years old. It was harvested in the forests of the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido.
"Mizunara or Japanese oak (Quercus mongolica) grows throughout Japan, but in northern Japan (Hokkaido) the tree grows more slowly and has a narrower growth ring suitable for barrel making. The wood imparts a special flavor to spirits called sandalwood, and a much stronger coconut aroma than any other oak wood, especially when it comes into contact with whiskey after a long aging." Source: Ariake Sangyo
Experienced coopers from Ariake Sangyo carefully prepare the barrels. The treatment of the wood, especially the staves, is very difficult and only a few coopers are able to make the barrels. The staves of the barrels and the bottoms were made entirely of Mizunara oak.
St. Kilian Distillers imported four medium-toasted virgin barrels directly by air from Japan in August 2019.
CTO and Master Blender Mario Rudolf: "The Mizunara oak is known for its unique aromas of sandalwood, oriental spices and exotic fruits, which give the whisky a distinctive character. This masterpiece of whisky art reflects the synergy of Japanese finesse with German distilling art in Scottish pot stills. The exceptional single malt whisky promises an incomparable taste as well as an exquisite enjoyment experience for discerning connoisseurs."
A more than delighted Managing Director Philipp Trützler says: "We are very proud to present this exclusive whisky rarity made from Mizunara oak. According to our research, this is the first non-Japanese single malt whisky to be matured in a single, fresh, unoccupied Mizunara oak cask. A true treasure for whisky lovers and collectors alike."
The result of aging offers a unique taste of ripe fruit and exotic melon, coupled with warming oak notes, oriental spices and fragrant sandalwood aromas.
The Angels' Share of cask No. 3886 was 4.7% of the original contents, which is well above normal (2 to 3%). The age of the single malt is three years plus a few months.
"The strength of the cask bottling was lower than usual at 55.2% vol. because we wanted to create more sweetness in the whiskey," reports Mario Rudolf.
St. Kilian's EXCEPTIONAL MIZUNARA
The exceptional Mizunara Single Cask bottling in natural cask strength of 55.1% vol. was limited to 300 bottles.
Mizunara's exceptional bottling is the first in a new St Kilian series that will present customers with more exceptional casks. The series will only be open to thematically exclusive single malt whiskies that have been matured in one of the 371 different cask types in the nearby St Kilian Bunker City.
The Mizunara whisky specialty is presented in a printed 0.5-liter glass bottle in pot-still form with noble packaging, which underlines the uniqueness of the St Kilian product.
"After numerous tastings of bottlings with Mizunara finishes, we wanted to find out what a St. Kilian whisky with full Mizunara maturation would taste like," explains Master Blender Mario Rudolf, "...Inspired by our 2017 trip to Japan, we filled the Mizunara oak barrels with both our mild and peaty new-make spirits. The current result far exceeds our expectations and confirms the magic that this exceptional wood ignites in our whisky."
Please note: At St. Kilian, the focus is on full aging in barrels and not double aging or finishing. However, revatting must be performed if barrels accidentally leak.
Tasting Notes
Color
Warm amber
Aroma
A beguiling fruit sweetness, carried by ripe pear, apricot and exotic melon, underpinned by buttery cream toffee, aromatic sandalwood as well as oriental spices.
Taste
Fruity-sweet start with ripe pears, apples and apricots, at the same time warming with spicy oak and sandalwood notes and some pepper before the creamy fruit melange takes over again.
Finish
Long lasting with creamy fruit jam accompanied by dry sandalwood flavors as well as a hint of buttery toffee.
Alcohol content:
55.1% vol.
The St. Kilian Exceptional Mizunara is a well-balanced, harmonious young single malt whisky with a rather pleasant sweetness and a basketful of fruity hints of ripe fruits such as apples, pears and some melon along with a lingering spiciness. The soft mouthfeel is long-lasting with toffee notes and surprisingly, the strong alcohol content of 55.1% by volume is well embedded and provides the enhancement of the fruity notes.
St. Kilian Honorary Brand Ambassador Udo Sonntag said, "This whisky is the opposite of ordinary. It's a real stunner..."
There are only a few bottles of Exceptional Mizunara St Kilian left in the distillery for direct sale. No wonder most of the 300 bottles were sold within five minutes after the web presentation on Saturday, May 6, 2023 for € 249.00 (0.5 liters).
NB: There will be more Mizunara releases from St Kilian in the future. Whisky geeks who love peated whiskies will certainly be pleased when the next exceptional Mizunara cask comes on the market.