Matsui Kurayoshi Mizunara Single Cask / 48%/ 0.7l

Matsui Shuzo Distillery, built in 1910, is located in Tottori Prefecture in southwestern Honshu. It is part of Matsui Breweries, a producer of sake and shōchu.

In 2017, the company installed three small stills (two larger ones a year later) and began distilling whiskey. The Kurayoshi brand debuted in 2015; it was a blended malt whiskey made from Scottish single malts and local whiskey (also single malt). Of course, the details of the formula remained a secret of the creator. Matsui Kurayoshi Mizunara Cask was released in 2019 and was chosen by Jim Murray as the best Japanese single malt in his "Whisky Bible 2020". Unfortunately, we can't say how long the whiskey spent in barrels made of Japanese Mizunara oak.

Aroma : fresh, fruity, apples, pears, honeydew melon, vanilla, honey, sugared nuts, coconut milk and a pinch of spices.

Palate : sweet oak, vanilla, toffee, banana cake, cinnamon, candied ginger and a pinch of lemon pepper.

Finish : medium long, with notes of vanilla, milk fudge, peanut butter, oak and a touch of tobacco.